ProJAm, the new internet-based venture that supports young, talented golfers, is launching the UK’s first junior ranking system using a special web-based system designed by Blue Spheres, a leading IT partner for the golf industry.
The custom-built business and project management system, which ProJAm is using to run its entire operation on, is called Connect and it will allow juniors across the country to update their scores and handicaps to produce the rankings.
Kevin Stowe, managing director of ProJAm, said, “This will be the first national ranking system for juniors – and the Connect system has made it possible.
“Juniors will be able to log on via the Internet and register their scores for every medal and junior competition. We will categories the age groups and then publish a national rankings, which will be sponsored and award prizes.”
ProJAm, which is launching this year, aims to help talented youngsters ‘reach for the stars, but catch them if they fall.‘ It is the brainchild of professional-turned-amateur Neil Connolly, who despite winning the England Under-15 Championship aged 13, and then competing against the likes of David Duval at college in America, failed to make a living from professional tour golf. The lack of advice and support available to him and his family inspired the ProJAm concept.
But it’s not just the ranking system that Blue Spheres‘ Connect system will be used for, as Kevin Stowe explains, “We‘re actually basing the whole business around Connect. In fact, it wouldn‘t be commercially viable without it.
“We needed a system that allowed us to communicate with our members, but then recorded the information they sent back to us. Ordinarily, that would mean employing a lot of people to answer telephones and send out mail.
“But because Connect is Internet based and totally automated, only a small number of people are involved. What’s more, it will allow ProJAm to grow without significant increases in costs.”
Adrian Jones, managing director of Blue Spheres, said, “Connect is a very simple, cost effective solution for business and project management. We customise each system to meet the company’s specific requirements, then drop off the box and plug it in. It’s as simple as that.”
Connect is already being used in the golf industry. The buying group TGI Golf (formerly Tartan Golf International) is using the system to manage its business and communication with its 350 members across the UK and Ireland. Cranfield Golf Academies, Swingcam, Foremost and Quantum PR, whose clients include the PGA, have also bought the system.
Blue Spheres www.bluespheres.net
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