Local Knowledge

March 2020



GHIN TRAINING WEBINARS

The GHIN Support Team will be conducting three training webinars for club administration personnel over the next few weeks. The topics to be covered include Admin Portal Training, Golfer Products Training and Template Reports Training.

Each training session is scheduled for 60 minutes and will be an opportunity for staff members to become more familiar with the new GHIN products. In addition to training, GHIN will be providing updates on upcoming changes to the product and will use this session as a forum to collect feedback.

Below is a list of the training sessions, date and time, and brief description. Click on the link for more information and to register online.

Template Reports Training (March 17, 2020 at 1 p.m. CDT): Overview and walk-through of the reports and functionality available to club admin.

Admin Portal Training Session (March 19, 2020 at 3 p.m. CDT): In-depth walk-through of the tasks including but not limited to association and club administration, setting account information and contacts, user management, score posting and Handicap Index Management.

Golfer Products Training Session (March 20, 2020 at 9 a.m. CDT): Overview and demonstration of the features and functionality available in the new GHIN Golfer Products.

TGA STATEWIDE EVENT FOR MEN 65+

Texas is home to a profusion of dynamic senior golfers. Most clubs across the state have a cadre of old hands who love to tee it up every chance they get. For these players, who can talk the talk and walk the walk, the desire to compete doesn’t end at a certain chronological age. Far from it.

That’s one of the reasons why in 2015 the TGA established the Texas Super Senior Amateur. The newest event on the annual schedule is a stand-alone statewide championship for male amateur golfers ages 65 and older.

This year’s championship will be played April 21-23 at Riverbend Country Club in Sugar Land. The format is 54 holes of individual stroke play. There is no cut, and there are two age divisions: 65 years and older (Super Senior) and 75 and older (Legends).

Each age division plays from different tees with separate champions crowned. The Super Seniors will play from approximately 6,250 yards, and the Legends play from around 6,000 yards. Prizes are also awarded to the top Net score in both the Super Senior and Legends Divisions, so golfers of all ability levels are welcome.

If your club or course has some talented elder statesmen who love to play, we hope you’ll urge them to sign up for this year’s Texas Super Senior Amateur at Riverbend Country Club. It’s a wonderful opportunity for them to play a spectacular course and meet some great people who share a passion for the game of golf. TEXAS SUPER SENIOR AMATEUR INFO


TGA FOUNDATION PARTNERS WITH YOUTH ON COURSE

The TGA Foundation (TGAF), the charitable arm of the Texas Golf Association, recently announced a partnership with Youth on Course to provide affordable junior golf access at participating courses in San Antonio.

During the pilot program, young golfers ages 6-17 in San Antonio who sign up for a Youth on Course membership will have the opportunity to play any of the eight Alamo City Golf Trail courses during designated times for $5 or less. The TGAF subsidizes the remaining cost.

The Youth on Course membership fee is $20, which gives members access to the participating facilities in San Antonio and nearly 1,300 across the country. The fee also includes a TGA membership and accompanying benefits, as well as a WHS Handicap Index.

“We couldn’t be more excited to introduce our junior golfers to accessible and affordable golf,” says Stacy Dennis, executive director of Texas Golf Association. “Partnering with Youth on Course was a no-brainer because it helps families and course operators; we can’t wait to see the impact this proven-method of growing the game has in our local market.”

After the trial period ends in San Antonio, the TGAF’s Board of Directors will evaluate the results. If the program is deemed a success, and if the necessary financial resources are available, the TGAF will look to expand the Youth on Course partnership to other cities in Texas. READ MORE


PRESENTATION MATTERS: PAY ATTENTION TO THESE FIVE AREAS [GOLF INC.]

The golf business is a challenge. No revelation in that statement. Course condition issues, weather, competition, and so many options for your customers that take far less time in this world where time seems to keep shrinking.

One of the constants in this business is controlling costs, especially payroll. In order to make money, the payroll like other expenses needs to be managed daily.

On the other side, the mission of the course manager is to provide a fun, warm experience for all golfers: men, women and juniors. To do that you need people. These people must have the skills to provide an experience that leaves the golfer wanting more of the same. Their goal should be to make golf, and your property, the distraction of choice whenever time and opportunity knocks.

It takes people to create the soft, sweet spot in the middle, a great experience: providing all of the attributes we would want as golfers. As you manage the balance between controlling costs and creating joy, remember presentation. Presentation is so many things, from a clean parking lot with proper signage, to staff members that are well presented, right down to their shoes. When the presentation is right, golfers feel it. They sense it in many ways.

In her article for Golf Inc., author Kristin Ely shares five thoughts about presentation and why it matters. READ MORE


QUICK REFERENCE PLACEMAT

The World Handicap System is comprised of the Rules of Handicapping and the Course Rating System. The Rules of Handicapping replaces the USGA Handicap System, which has been in place since 1911, and the USGA Course Rating System has become the Course Rating System.

The Quick Reference Placemat is an easy-to-follow, one-page guide that gives a brief overview of the key topic areas from which you can expect to receive the most questions from golfers. DOWNLOAD QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE