Clambake Café ™

State of Golf: Country Club Members Concerned

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I was leaning on the fence one evening talking to a few of the golfers on the fairway waiting on the two groups ahead of them on the par four to clear so they could play.  Naturally, Pace of Play was the topic for the day.

However, since there was more than a 15 minute wait until they could shoot, they just pulled their carts up to the fence and we had a decent conversation about the State of Golf today.

Discount Golf Causing Problems

In asking this foursome of 40 something men and women golfers what they thought was causing the slow play on a private country club they where very quick to list a few issues.   All seemed to agree it was due to the club doing a number of things to boost revenue which just does not work for private golf clubs.

Some of the reasons they readily offered were:

  • opening up their doors to non-members to play golf
  • promoting discount green fees
  • selling discounted or trial membership packages
  • club signing on with online tee time sites
  • handing out free guest fees to members

All of these they felt was resulting in the club placing “too many golfers on a course that is not easy for a below average golfer to play in less than 5 hours”.   Seems this club is doing what many private clubs are doing to survive, but obviously is backfiring for this club.

Wrong Message Being Made

This group of private club golfers, who report to have been members of the club for over 15 years, all feel the new ownership of the club has lost site of the club being a private club and who is paying their bills. Even though the member’s do not own any equity in the club they do provide for the club’s operation’s operations budget..including salaries and profit for the owners..through their monthly membership dues.

Comments made..  The clubhouse has a “resort” look that is very uncomfortable. “The look and feel give me the impression they don’t want us staying in the bar very long”.   “The focus of the club is to get more members which is OK, but this means more demands on the tee time availability which makes it hard to get on the course on the weekend.”  “Having a full roster of members is good, but how they manage a large number of members is driving many of the current members to think about continuing to be a member.”

This group sited things like:

  • Onslaught of promotional emails sent to them from the club, or other members of the club for the club, announcing bargain membership packages and soliciting members to solicit their friends.
  • Newsletters placed in their bill from club manager and board of governors reporting how well the club is doing financially but not addressing making any major capital improves to the club infrastructure.
  • Overpricing of food and beverages served by over stressed employees
  • No personal contact by the club ownership with “full” membership

From what I gathered there are some morale issues developing to a fevered pitch which, along with bad management decisions, are proving to not be very productive.

State of Golf

Truly the state of Golf in general is making operating a Private Golf Club very stressful.  With discretionary funds drying up, uncertainty in the stock market and golfer’s incomes at risk many people’s livelihoods are being threatened for the fist time EVERY.

What is a Private Club, whose soul function is to service the Golf market, to do?  The golfers I had the privilege in interviewing seem to feel the ownership of the club treating the current membership like people would be a start.  From there, trust can be built in the management of the club knowing what they are doing.  It was also mentioned the need for the club’s ownership procuring good outside advice on how to go about building, rebuilding or maintaining trust amongst the membership, cannot hurt.

Listening Works

A lot can be learned about how well Golf is doing by taking the time to get out on the golf course and ask golfers what they think.  Most of the time, golfers are never lost for words.

For you golfing members of a private club, ask your general manager to join you for a round of golf.  If he/she obliges you then take the opportunity to casually get to know what he/she is thinking and get the point of view used to guide the club into the future. It’s your money that is paying the GM’s salary..at the very least they should at sometime get out on the golf course with you.  If he or she does not play golf..well, then..I think you might see where the problems begin.

It probably would be good for your club’s management to get out and find how the membership feels about things.  It would be good for them to see how the golf course plays during a peak period instead of residing on what the golf director or course superintendent reports.  In this uncertain economy, maintaining a private club’s membership, or customer base,  is solid advice to follow.

I got a lot out of the few minutes I had to talk to a group of fellow golfers.  I wonder how many club managers take that amount of time to talk to their members?

Let me know how I can help.

Empire Avenue: Force Multiplier

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Back in May of this year I posted a blog on the aspects of Empire Avenue I really did not know what to expect.  Today, how I feel abut EA is even more important. 

First of all, Empire Avenue is not just a game and it is not a waste of time.  Actually, the more time you spend on EA site the more influential you become.

As far as an evaluation of your influence in the social spaced, Empire avenue does the trick. 

The basics are:

  1. Fill out all of your Profile and BIO
  2. Connect all your social spaces to Empire avenue
  3. Connect to others in EA with common interest.
  4. Develop a strategy on who you are going to invest in and post that on the site.
  5. Then write a blog about EA and post it.

This will get you started.  Meanwhile, be on the look out for people using Empire Avenue who are producing a hefty dividend.   Don’t get in a hurry..this is a marathon not a sprint.  The more your stock value goes up the more influential you become.  Hang in there and you will see more people investing into you and posting something about you.  Make sure you post your link to your blog.

If you are looking to improving your results from social media you need to invest in Empire Avenue.

Mr Business Golf Show with Tony Korologos: Hooked on Golf Blog

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HOG LogoTGS-LogofWrapping up the long week at 2011 The Nelson I sat down with fellow golf blogger and social mediaist Tony Korologos, the creator of the Hooked On Golf Blog and The Golf Space social network, for a chat about a number of things going on inside and outside the 2001 HP Byron Nelson Championship.  Here is our chat…

Download this MP3 – (Right Click)

When The Gates Close at Country Clubs: Golf Industry Suffers

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Closed It is hard to image what $195 Billion really looks like, but four years ago that was the impact the Golf Industry had on America’s economy.  I am sure it has gone up since.  If you look at the economy as a whole, the Golf Industry impacts is more than the Motion Picture Industry.  That probably is surprising to many people who go to the movies,  but how does Golf impact you and your local economy?

Country Club

The local golf economy is driven mostly by golf facilities..i.e. golf courses, driving ranges.  The places where golfers play golf drive the spending on golf equipment to the retail level.  However, have you ever thought of all the non-golf related industries golfers touch when they go to play golf?

The businesses that facilitate the playing of golf sit in the mainstream of the local golf economy. However, Country Club’s, especially private golf clubs, impact more than just the golf economy.

Country Clubs as a facility also develop into social centers for the communities they reside.  Sometimes this is by design and naturally would have a internal social aspect its members bring to the club.  Fortunately, there is more going on at a private golf clubs and Country Clubs than just people playing golf.  Each day at a Country Club anywhere in the nation there are business meetings, local civic group gatherings and family weddings being conducted.  Sometimes the Country Club’s clubhouse is the only meeting place within the community.  All of these functions generate huge amounts of revenue.

Also, these non-golf external services employee hundreds of people from the community who spend their wages in the community.  The outside events held at country clubs are supported by vendors who employee many people of within a community.  This makes theses non-golf events’ financial impact on the local economy tremendous.

So, when you take the fact country clubs employee hundreds of people and support hundreds of vendors combined with the non-golf functions the country club manage, the impact to the local economy is very significant.

When a Country Club Closes

What happens when a Country Club closes for business?  The local economy will feel the blow first.  In places where the Country Club is a major employer the impact to the community will be devastating.  The trickle down of the unemployment of the club’s staff will add to the already troubled national economy.  Generally the people let go by a country club will be forced into moving to another region which will add burden to that community’s unemployment.

The impact on the vendors of a country club is also great.  Sometimes the country club is some vendor’s main account and when the doors to the country club close so does the vendors.  As a result even more people are placed on the unemployment role.

Millions of economic dollars are lost when a county club closes.  It is estimated a private country club that employees 150 or more employees generates over $1 million in sales taxes and another $1m in income taxes to the federal level.  Taking that there are thousands of private country clubs across the nation this quickly adds up to billions of dollars of economic impact.  Since reports are showing that nearly 10% of these clubs will be forced to close due to economic issues the impact would result in hundreds of millions of dollars lost forever from local sales.

Naturally there are going to be country clubs that fail due to bad management and other non-economic related issue.  However, many country clubs running in the red have ways of avoiding the worst case scenarios.  What causes most golf facilities to fail has to do with their resisting change or trying to adapt to something new using old methods.

Since the golf industry will be one of the last industries to improve when the economy improves they need to move quickly to solving their financial issues.  Some of the solutions to country club’s problems will result in major changes needing to be made and old ways of thinking done away with.  This does not necessarily mean country clubs should run out and hire a young staff to manage their club, but a younger mindset of the current management will be needed to make the changes coming in the economy’s recover.

The Golf Industry should be strapped in tightly since the economy still has a lot more jerky adjustments to make to find its new center.  Having a new way of seeing things will help country clubs survive and keep from closing their gates forever.

Let me know how I can help.

ClamBake Cafe Facebook Presence Enhanced

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The ClamBake Cafe has taken another step in developing its Digital Footprint.  A New landing page was launched today on the ClamBake Cafe Facebook Page.  This is the first of a number of changes IBGS will be making to introduce the ClamBake Cafe to the new golfers coming into the game as well as the business people who are finding out how golf can quickly enhance their business’ development.

Yes, even in a failed economy, one-on-one, face-to-face business relationship building does make a difference in a business person’s success…if not their future.  Playing golf as a form of business networking is still dollar for dollar the very best investment a business or business person can make in retaining customers, developing new business and enhancing employee’s quality work life.  The ClamBake Cafe will be stepping up production of events to be held around the country to do what it can to spur the golf economy, educate the business community on the advantages golf produces the their bottomline and providing access to affordable quality golf training facilities…all in one place in a fun environment conclusive to enjoying life while learning to improve the way business is done.

The ClamBake Cafe will be turning up the burning on business golf social media surrounding business golf events and programs being developed through the IBGS and eGolfGroup partnerships.  The first event is booked for May 13 thru 15th in Sedona, AZ.  If there ever was a Golf Heaven Sedona is when the golf would be played.  Come join the business golfers of the Business Golf Country Club for a few rounds of golf, a lot of business/social networking and great learning experience.

Check out the ClamBake Cafe Facebook Fan Page.

Business Golf Country Club is Going to Sedona

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Can you believe we are almost 90 days into the New Year.?  I think it is time for a break. Naturally, when I think of taking a break I am thinking of loading up the golf clubs and heading to Arizona or Southern California…if not both.  Why don’t you join me?

I am going to meet up with my friend and business partner, Dave Bisbee, out in Sedona, AZ for a three day weekend outing.  Those who join us will be treated to some very special pricing and an opportunity to either play a couple of rounds of golf or have Dave take you through is Two Day Complete Golf School.

Opportunities Galore

Maybe you are one of the many business focused peopled who need to find out within the first three sentences of a Blog on ‘What’s In It For Me’ and need a ‘Solid Purpose’ more than Golf to attend.  Hey, we totally understand and we have you covered.

For those who are looking for a business reason to attend a golf outing, Dave and I will offer you the Business Golf Camp. The BGC is delivered in a two half day session on the essentials of business and golf.   Dave and I are introducing the Business Golf Camp at this gathering for those who would like to attend.  The BGC is a separate function of the Clambake Cafe and advance registration to this session is required since there are a few prerequisites to the sessions.

The two sessions are set in a business seminar environment and covers a variety of subjects related to increasing productive in the workforce, professional awareness, business operations style of social media and, of course, new ideas on how to make your business more profitable.  Plus a few other surprises thrown in for good measure.  We will guarantee for those who attend the Camp you will leave Sedona with more than a relaxed attitude and a better golf game.

If you are interested in attended the camp, send me an email through this site with the Subject: Camp, and I will send you the details.

Golf Heaven

But, lets not forget what you are Really going to the golf outing to do…getaway.  If you have been to Sedona then you know I am not exaggerating any when I say playing golf in Sedona is like being in Golf Heaven. If you have not been to Sedona, well, you have got to go.  Sedona Golf Resort is rolling out the red carpet and really set to show you the best of the Sedona area.

We have two choices for your golf outing interest:

  1. Two rounds of Golf at Sedona Golf Resort, including Breakfast, or
  2. A Two Half-Day Sessions Complete Golf School conducted by Dave Bisbee, Breakfast and Lunch, along with Two rounds of golf on the Sedona Golf Resort Course.

There are a number of things that are of non-golf interest available to explore in Sedona everyone has an opportunity to enjoy if they choose.  Dave and I are just hosting this opportunity and offering the experience to you at below costs so you can get away, golf, learn and have fun.  Everything has been discounted so there is no excuse to not attend.  And Hey..guess what…we will doing another Clambake Cafe but you have to come to Golf Heaven to find out when and where.

Plus, for those of my close friends who know me well, there will be something going on each day after the golf has been played that generally turns into a party.  So, come join in the fun.  Space is very limited..so do not delay in signing up.  Let me know how I can help.

New Mr Business Golf Site: Putting Business Back on Course

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February 14, 2011- Addison, Tx. Innovative Business Golf Solutions announces the launch of the New Mr Business Golf site at the url http://www.mrbusinessgolf.com. 

Now there is a place for golfers, business people, business golfers, golf instructors and golf faculties…along with anyone else in the golf industry..to learn more about what really is going on around the world of Business Golf.

Business Golf has been around since Golf started.  It is no surprise to golfers how impacting a round of Golf can be to building business relationships.  Unfortunately, about every 50 years or so, the economy moves people to feel Golf is a frivolous endeavor and has no business applications.  This attitude results in a down turn in the interest of playing Golf by business people who stand to benefit from golf the most.

The new Mr BG site will continue to publish the blogs written by the Mr Business Golf creator, Scot Duke .  The Mr Business Golf site will focus  improving the image of Golf by offering information on the advantages business golf presents to business.  Blogs, Vlogs and guest interviews, produced on the ClamBake Cafe site ,all will be featured on the Mr BG blog.

“Dave Bisbee and I are taking Business Golf to the next level”, said Scot Duke, CEO of Innovative Business Golf Solutions, and author of the Mr Business Golf blog.  He continues, “There has always been some a general misunderstanding amongst of business community of business golf being a term associated to a 6 hour sales pitch on the golf course.  The Mr BG site will be dedicated to changing that attitude and present to viewers exactly what business golf can do for business.”

A number of services will be offered viewers who are looking to learn golf, expand their business golf knowledge or are looking for effective ways to improve business while improving their golf game.

More than a Game

In order for golf to survive, the business world has to survive.  The Mr Business Golf site will from time to time feature articles on the latest in business trends and operationally sound processes developed to help businesses improve.  Several subjects will be featured on the Mr BG site including Social Media for Golf and Business Golf Essentials.  Announcements will be made on golf schools, seminars, conferences and other gathers of golfers.

As far as social media for the golf industry…well, buckle up your seat belt, the Mr Business Golf site will be offering insights to the REAL way to use social networking to improve business.

Mr Duke reports..” Separating the Mr Business Golf site from my personal blog will allow me to focus the site to better helping Golf.  The new site will be a place business people can come find real information on how to use golf as a business tool.”

All this and more will be on the New Mr Business Golf site.  For more information contact Scot Duke through this site.