Teeofftimes.co.uk, the UK’s largest tee-time booking service, has launched a series of nationwide educational roadshows, giving golf course owners, operators and managers an in-depth understanding of the online marketplace and how it can boost their revenues.
The first roadshow, staged at Heythrop Park Resort in Oxfordshire, gave an overview of the online marketplace and offered attendees practical solutions and expert advice on how to take advantage of this rapidly growing route to market.
Online booking – a relatively new route to customers
Teeofftimes.co.uk has been instrumental in the rise in popularity of booking tee-times online. In just the first two months of trading in 2011, it has achieved an incredible 189% year-on-year growth for the same period last year and is set for a bumper 2011.
Richard Barker, Head of Business Development for Teeofftimes.co.uk, said: “Golf clubs are now understanding the clear revenue opportunities being created by this rapidly growing online booking model, a relatively new route to customers that Teeofftimes.co.uk continues to pioneer.
“The purpose of our educational roadshows is to give key industry stakeholders a much clearer understanding of the market, how best to utilise the current website functionality available to them, and how best to position themselves, both in terms of pricing and business management, to maximise this clear opportunity.
“It was encouraging to receive positive feedback from attendees, who were particularly interested in how easy the Teeofftimes.co.uk model works with existing golf club business models, and also fits around the requirements of existing club members.”
Attendees at Heythrop Park ranged from club managers, PGA professionals from member clubs, through to senior managers of large hotel chains.
Improve tee yield management
Commenting on the first seminar, Jon Dummett, Group Marketing Manager for Golf, Macdonald Hotels & Resorts, said: “As we operate a group of golf venues across the UK and Europe in a competitive market, we are constantly looking at ways to widen reach and improve tee yield management. The Teeofftimes.co.uk presentation provided an insight of how it intends to support golf clubs and businesses, which I’m sure will open up prospective opportunities within our own group.”
Greg Heath, Director of Rye Hill Golf Club, Oxfordshire, added: “This event set the scene for some great insights into improving the use of our system. It was wonderful to understand the trends and statistics from across the entire country and, as a result, we will review our own strategy.”
Teeofftimes.co.uk continues to go from strength to strength, growing the number of clubs it works with, currently over 600 across the UK, on a weekly basis.
It has also just launched its new ‘mobile’ website – m.teeofftimes.co.uk – where golfers can conveniently search, select and purchase tee times in just a few clicks using their mobile phones. They can also take advantage of the same deals currently available on the main Teeofftimes.co.uk site.
The next Teeofftimes.co.uk roadshows are scheduled for Tuesday, March 22nd at Portal Golf Club in Cheshire, and Wednesday, 6 April at Hindhead Golf Club in Surrey, an event that will also incorporate presentations on the BRS and Clubview booking systems.
Teeofftimes.co.uk has also announced it will be present at a series of spring roadshows with ClubMinder. Individuals interested in attending any of these events, should contact Richard Barker at rbarker@teeofftimes.co.uk
Teeofftimes.co.uk www.teeofftimes.co.uk