Golf Union of Wales Signs up to "One Golf Network"
The Golf Union of Wales is to endorse One Golf Network, a national tee time sales and membership marketing initiative for golf clubs
Welsh golf clubs will be able to promote their tee times, membership offers and society packages through a variety of partners and on to golfers simply by updating the One Golf Network central ‘basket’, cutting out the currently time consuming task of managing several distribution channels.
The GUW is partnering with Gemini Network Media, a leading golf club marketing company, on One Golf Network and a number of other initiatives to help equip Welsh clubs with the right tools and marketing channels to better promote their businesses to the audience of non member golfers and to provide even better service to their existing members.
The GUW is keen to ensure that as many golf clubs as possible have the opportunity to take part in One Golf Network and has therefore secured commitment from Gemini Network Media for an online marketing package for all clubs consisting of free website development and an online tee time booking system.
Richard Dixon, CEO of GUW, said: “This is a significant step forward for the golf clubs of Wales and the way that they can do business in the future. The internet is vital when marketing to visitor golfers and also in providing an important and effective communications channel to members.
“With the Ryder Cup fast approaching and all the opportunities that presents, it was important that our clubs were equipped with the right tools and the skills to take advantage of the increased number of visitors coming to Wales in the lead up to and beyond the matches. This agreement with Gemini allows us to do just that.”
The online tee time booking system developed by Gemini offers complete tee time management functionality enabling a club to run their tee timesheet for members, societies and visitors, and take bookings and payment through their own website. No set up costs are incurred but a small transaction charge is levied against all visitor bookings made through the system. The system will be available to all clubs regardless of whether they take advantage of the website offer.
The system will also enable golf clubs to market their tee times online to the growing millions of pay and play golfers. Using the One Golf Network basket as their distribution hub, clubs will benefit from a far-reaching marketing programme with a range of partners.
The website offer allows clubs to take advantage of having a new website developed by the Golf
Club Network, the leading provider of e-marketing and website solutions for golf clubs owned by Gemini Network Media. All initial development and design costs have been waived, a saving of nearly £400, with only the annual support fees then due.
The English Golf Union has already announced its support of the initiative and is currently rolling out the details to its 1900 affiliated clubs. The combined support of the two Home Unions together with backing from the affiliated 2100 clubs will ensure One Golf Network will become the largest industry collaboration of its kind.
Golf clubs will receive further information and the opportunity to trial the tee time booking system in September. The website offer is currently available to all clubs and they should contact Golf Club Network directly. Telephone 01952 456441 or visit www.golfclubnetwork.co.uk
For further information contact:
Jane Carter, Managing Director
Gemini Network Media
Jane.carter@gemininetworkmeida.co.uk
01952 456459
Richard Dixon, Chief Executive
Golf Union of Wales,
richard.dixon@golfunionwales.org
01633 430843