Teeofftimes.co.uk, the UK’s largest internet tee-time booking service and on track to book rounds for 110,000 golfers this year, has announced it has expanded its senior team by recruiting experienced sales professional Richard Barker as Head of Business Development.
The online business, powered by Europe’s largest golf travel company Golfbreaks.com, was formed in 2007 and now works with over 500 golf clubs across the UK – and numbers are growing on a daily basis – giving golfers last-minute, all-year-round, discounted tee-time offers. Some of the courses already featuring on the website include Turnberry, The Belfry, Marriott Forest of Arden, Forest Pines, De Vere Slaley Hall, Moor Allerton and The Warwickshire.
Richard, a qualified PGA professional, previously spent six years with De Vere, three at the Belfry as Golf Sales Manager and the last three, as Group Golf and Leisure Sales Manager, responsible for 11 resorts and leisure sales at 25 leisure clubs, reporting directly into the board of De Vere.
Steve Hemsworth, Managing Director of Teeofftimes.co.uk, said: “Over the last 18 months we have seen an incredible shift in the attitude of golf clubs willing to embrace online distribution and Richard’s market knowledge will be of great value in continuing to educate the market on how to maximise visitor green fee revenues. In August alone, we booked tee-times for 19,000 golfers with a staggering 55% of bookings to play within the next 36 hours. Bookings are literally made 24/7.”
Commenting on his new role, Richard Barker, added: “The market potential for Teeofftimes.co.uk is huge and my appointment has come at a time where more and more golf clubs are looking for new revenue streams. My experience running golf sales at multiple De Vere golf courses will help me see the market from the perspective of both the agent and the golf club.”
Along with an increasing level of enquiries from individual golfers, Teeofftimes.co.uk is also seeing a growing number of golfers within societies and large groups booking their entire calendar of golfing events through the company, taking away much of the pressure from the group organiser.
Golfers making a booking can also take advantage of the unique BreakPoints loyalty scheme that rewards people with one point for every £10 spent. These points can then be redeemed against any future Teeofftimes.co.uk booking, Golfbreaks.com holiday or BookaSpa.com experience.
Teeofftimes.co.uk www.teeofftimes.co.uk