BIRMINGHAM AND MOBILE, ALABAMA, DECEMBER 9, 2015 – Fairways Golf, the nation’s #1 golf travel company, has acquired Southern Golf Tours and its subsidiary, Golf Packages, Etc. Founded in 1990, Fairways Golf will merge the staff of Southern Golf Tours with its team but maintain the current company brands for the foreseeable future. Southern Golf Tours and Golf Packages, Etc. will continue to offer all-inclusive golf packages to over 30 golf destinations in seven states. However, the combined staff will now be able to offer world-wide golf destinations as well.
Founded by Philip Bellew, Mobile, Alabama, based Southern Golf acquired the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s leading golf packaging company, Golf Packages, Etc., in 2010. In 2011, Danny Fulton joined Southern Golf Tours as a co-owner and assisted in the company’s rapid growth. The combined companies will have a significant footprint in the southeastern United States golf markets and anticipate strong growth in 2016.
Philip Bellew commented, “Joining the family of brands owned and operated by Fairways Golf will bring Southern Golf Tours and Golf Packages Etc. to the next level in golf travel planning. The new markets available to our customers, combined with the operational support for our sales staff, will provide our golfers with the absolute best golf trip possible.” Danny Fulton added, “Philip and I met Alan and his executive team over the past few years at golf industry events. We found that our operational and marketing philosophies were remarkably similar and so the opportunity to push the companies together is an excellent decision.”
Alan Hale, President, of Fairways Golf said, “Southern Golf and Golf Packages, Etc. were excellent competitors and have a reputation of being highly customer service focused. When our team began to evaluate the opportunity, we quickly realized that our styles, service orientation, and vision were nearly identical. In my thirty years of acquisition and merger work, I believe that this is one of the best fits of two separate companies that I’ve ever experienced. Our team is truly looking forward to working with Philip, Danny and the rest of the Southern Golf team.”
The private transaction was closed on December 8, 2015. The operations will be merged and redundant systems will be consolidated. Company officials expect significant operational savings and sales to have an immediate positive impact on the combined entities.
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About Fairways Golf/GolfThere: Fairways Golf, and primary consumer brand, GolfThere, are headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama and were founded in 1990. The company has grown to be the largest golf travel company in the USA and also serves as an inbound travel provider for international golf travel companies. Private label partnerships include golf course management companies, golf trails, tourist boards, CVBs, travel agency groups, and hotels/resorts. Fairways Golf Vacations (travel industry), GolfThere (www.golfthere.com), and Troon Golf Vacations (consumer, private label), are the company’s principal retail brands. More information can be found at its corporate website: www.FairwaysGolf.com.
About Southern Golf Tours and Golf Packages, Etc.: Southern Golf Tours was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Mobile, Alabama. In 2010, Golf Packages, Etc. merged with the company. Southern Golf offers packaged golf tours in seven states through its websites www.southerngolftours.com and www.golfpackagesetc.com .
Contact:
Fairways Golf
2 Chase Corporate Center, Suite 90
Birmingham, AL 35244
(205) 313-6415; www.FairwaysGolf.com
Contacts:
Mary Pat Sullivan
Sullivan Marketing Advisors
(516) 488-9419; travelmp@aol.com
GolfThere & Fairways Golf
Kim Siegal
(205) 313-6415; kim.siegal@fairwaysgolf.com
