More than 100 Spanish clubs have followed their counterparts from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland in hurrying to sign up to the innovative free new scheme, which was launched to all private members golf clubs at the end of last year.
And with all 23 courses in Mallorca also having joined National County Card thanks to a deal agreed with Simply Mallorca – the number one website for golf on the Balearic Island – the prospect of discounted golf on some of Europe’s best courses is now a vivid and enticing reality.
Rob Sutton, managing director of National County Card, said, “The response we‘ve had from Spain and Mallorca has been nothing short of phenomenal. They have very quickly grabbed the concept and are looking forward to welcoming thousands of club golfers from all over the UK and beyond.
“The beauty of National County Card is that it enables golfers on business or on holiday the opportunity to play golf for members‘ guest rates or similar. The only stipulation is that you must be a member of a golf club to buy a card.”
Thanks to new agreements with Club Murcia and Travel Service Spain (TSS), UK golfers will be able to enjoy green fee rates below anyone else across Spain when they buy a National County Card – which costs £25 and is being launched at the start of June.
Clubs and resorts including San Roque – a venue for both the Spanish Open and European Tour School final qualifying in the past – La Manga, La Cala, the Marbella Club and Hacienda del Alamo have all quickly given their backing to the scheme.
And their enthusiasm for National County Card has been matched in the growing golfing destination of Mallorca by the likes of Nova Santa Ponsa Golf – whose No. 1 course hosted the Balearic Islands Open seven times between 1988-98.
Sutton said, “We are delighted that the Spanish clubs have recognised what a great scheme the National County Card is. Obviously there are a huge number of Briitsh people who are members of clubs in various parts of Spain and we feel it’s important for them to benefit from a system that aims to reward people who are loyal club members, whether it be the UK or abroad.”
National County Card is free to join for private members clubs while any of their members with a valid handicap certificate can buy a card.
In addition, each club enrolling in the ground-breaking scheme will receive their own tailor-made advertising campaign at a nearby driving range aimed at increasing membership and visitor levels.
They will also be rewarded with a payment of £5 for every one of their club members that joins – which will be repeated on an annual basis when the person renews their membership. All cards are bought online meaning no administration for any golf club.
But, under the terms of National County Card, clubs will be free to dictate the green fee rate for card holders and the times when it can and cannot be used, ensuring maximum revenue during quiet times without interfering with member and club’ requirements.
Sutton added, “National County Card is very simple and with it we‘re hoping to address some of the imbalances in the golf industry.
“It’s not restricted to areas or counties and, in time, we expect tens of thousands of private club members to join the scheme across Europe and hopefully beyond, which will not only reward the golf clubs but also greatly increase course-loading profitability.”
Sutton is also joint managing director of Get Noticed Ltd, an innovative media company based in Sale, who are reaching more than one million golfers per month via ‘Get Noticed‘ poster sites in golf clubs and driving ranges and last year brought in £300,000 of new revenue to such facilities.
National County Card www.nationalcountycard.co.uk