Visit GolfNow’s booth (#2173), Jan. 21-23 at the PGA Merchandise Show to demo technology solutions and learn more about unique services
designed to enhance course revenue
ORLANDO, Fla. (Jan. 13, 2015) – GolfNow, the leading online tee time booking and golf course technology and services platform, enters the New Year carrying momentum from a successful 2014, which saw a record 13.4 million online rounds of golf booked, a 19% increase over 2013.
“Last year was an encouraging one for our partner course operators, who utilized our technology solutions to manage their business, resulting in more than 13 million online rounds of golf booked through GolfNow at their facilities,” said Jeff Foster, senior vice president of GolfNow, New Media Group. “In 2015, GolfNow will build upon this momentum by continuing to deliver our best-in-class services and technology platforms to assist our growing community of course operators to run their businesses more efficiently and effectively.”
Leading the new GolfNow services being unveiled at the PGA Merchandise Show (Booth #2173) is GolfNow Plus, an all-encompassing consulting resource utilizing experienced GolfNow specialists to manage the sales and marketing needs of a golf course operation. GolfNow Plus focuses on brand, inventory and sales by increasing online rounds for courses, building and maintaining the course’s customer database, as well as increasing membership and group sales. GolfNow Plus also provides course operators with a clear tee time inventory management plan using dynamic pricing, along with brand management, forecasting and reporting to monitor and evaluate business performance. The effectiveness of GolfNow Plus was displayed across the final seven days of 2014, when a preliminary group of 25 course operators that activated GolfNow Plus saw increases in revenue (+53% YOY), rounds (+40% YOY) and round rate (+9% YOY).
To provide first-class customer service and avoid losing tee sheet revenue after-hours, operators can enlist GolfNow Answers, a 24-hour, 365 days-a-year tee sheet call center. A 12-month study conducted by W5 Golf Inc. – an industry software company – at one Las Vegas golf club produced more than 3,100 after-hours calls that resulted in nearly 2,900 rounds booked and more than $214,000 in incremental revenue. Another service offering is GolfNow Ride, a purchasing program which provides discounts on food, beverage and operational products.
“In addition to our GolfNow Plus, GolfNow Answers and GolfNow Ride services, the PGA Merchandise Show will be an opportunity for operators to learn more about the wide range of technology offerings we have available and implemented at more than 8,000 golf courses worldwide,” said Will McIntosh, senior vice president of business and strategy, GolfNow New Media Group. “By adding ACTIVE Golf to our platform last fall, GolfNow’s broad product lineup is now uniquely positioned to offer an optimal technology solution for any golf course operation need.”
GolfNow Technology Solutions:
• GolfNow Connect: A fully integrated, cloud-based tee time reservation management technology, GolfNow Connect is specifically optimized for the GolfNow distribution platform. Easy to implement and update without a need for installing software at any time, the system is compatible for Mac, Windows, and all updated web browsers and mobile devices.
• GolfNow Reservations: A locally installed all-encompassing tee time monitoring solution, GolfNow Reservations combines tee sheet, integrated online booking, a comprehensive customer relationship management (CRM) system with automated email marketing and a point-of-sale engine.
• GolfNow Reservations II: GolfNow Reservations II offers the versatility of a locally installed tee sheet or a cloud-based solution supporting remote operation via Windows Tablet. Previously branded Active GEN, GolfNow Reservations II allows operators to build customized reports for customer emails and marketing purchases, manage multiple tee sheets and operations from offsite locations, and provide outside staff with real-time tee sheet changes.
• GolfNow One: GolfNow’s comprehensive business management platform, GolfNow One is a cloud-based solution that merges software and operating systems into one simplified approach. GolfNow One provides operators the ability to promote, book, sell and manage their business with one system, which is accessible from anywhere using a computer, tablet or smartphone. GolfNow One manages every transaction from rounds, food and merchandise, while also simplifying employee scheduling, inventory, payroll, vendor relationships, customer marketing and sales tracking – all within one system.
• GolfNow OpenCourse: Providing operators with the ability to interface their operation to MICROS and OPERA PMS, GolfNow OpenCourse is a locally installed robust inventory, customer and member management solution which tracks customer spending across multiple courses and manage member billing and accounts. Multi-course operators manage tee times, rates and packages from central reservations, and OpenCourse allows for simple concierge bookings from on or off property. MCOs also can manage multiple tee sheets and operations from offsite locations through one centralized reporting and management dashboard.
For additional information on the range of GolfNow technology solutions and services available, course operators are encouraged to utilize GolfNow Solutions, a resource website outlining the benefits that can strengthen their operation.
About GolfNow
Founded in 2001, GolfNow is the leading online tee time booking and golf course technology and services platform offering millions of golfers more ways to stay connected to their favorite courses and tee times through the web, e-mail and mobile devices. GolfNow provides tee time access and technology offerings to more than 8,000 golf courses around the world, and is part of the suite of digital businesses managed by Golf Channel, which is seen in more than 120 million homes worldwide through cable, satellite and wireless companies. For more information, go to GolfNowSolutions.com.
Contact:
GolfNow / Golf Channel Communications Contact:
David Schaefer
407-355-4542
David.Schaefer@golfchannel.com
Jeff Szklinski
407-248-3267
Jeff.Szklinski@golfchannel.com