Leap Year Helps Grow Rounds

The National Golf Foundation (NGF) recently reported an increase in rounds for February 2008 vs. February 2007. Same-store rounds in the U.S. were up 10.4%, bringing the year-to-date number to +3.4%. Where the largest volume of rounds is played in the month of February, rounds were mostly up: 7.2% in Central/South Florida; 8.8% in Gulf Coast; and -0.8% in Southwest.

The February increase was the result of an additional day (February 29, 2008 - leap year) and a slight increase in play days due to better weather.

Large percentage increases in February in the Northeast and Upper Midwest are not meaningful. The majority of facilities in those regions had no rounds in both February 2007 and February 2008. A few facilities had a small number of rounds, and they saw an increase.

Public facilities fall into one of three categories based on peak season weekend green fees with cart: Premium (High) - Above $70; Standard (Middle) - $40-$70; Value (Low) - Below $40
Region 10 includes Hawaii; Region 11 includes Alaska.

Rounds Played, 2008 vs. 2007
Source: NGF/Allied Golf Associations

February Year-to-date Total U.S. facilities 10.4% 3.4% Private Clubs 12.4% 4.0% Total Public Courses 10.0% 3.2% Premium 3.4% 0.8% Standard 11.2% 1.9% Value 11.4% 4.8% Region Northeast 133.5% -13.8% Mid-Atlantic 62.8% 17.3% Southeast 22.9% 10.5% Central/South Florida 7.2% 1.6% Gulf Coast 8.8% 6.8% South Central 15.7% 24.0% Lower Midwest 7.5% -3.4% Upper Midwest 360.4% -29.2% Mountain 8.7% 7.8% Southwest -0.8% -7.6% Northwest 15.5% 1.9%

About the NGF
The mission of the National Golf Foundation, founded in 1936, is to help golf businesses succeed by providing marketing, research and other consulting services. Based in Jupiter, Fla., the NGF serves many constituencies in the golf industry, including equipment manufacturers; builders and developers; facilities and practice ranges; course architects; retailers; turf maintenance suppliers; golf associations and the media. For more information, visit www.ngf.org.

Cypress Golf Solutions Announced New Website Design & Development Service

Cypress Golf Solutions just released an announcement about its new course website design and development service. The purpose, of course, was to inform course managers and owners that Cypress has launched these services to help courses grow rounds through improved online operations and technology. Please see below.

PORTLAND, ORE. – (March 20, 2008) - Cypress Golf Solutions, the leading golf marketing and technology firm focused on maximizing rounds and revenue is pleased to announce it has branched into golf course website design and development.

To more efficiently maximize tee time bookings from course websites, yield manage online inventory, send targeted emails using the Cypress email marketing tool, and to distribute tee time inventory to the Cypress networks, Cypress shaped its functionality for golf course operators to allow for a more enhanced and comprehensive marketing and technology solution.

“Our golf course customers approached us and wanted Cypress to help with their online presence as well as adding technology to their operations,” said Matt Arnzen, director of marketing for Cypress. “Each one of our course websites is customized to meet the needs of the course and to provide a central location to showcase their course as well as an avenue to sell their tee times online.”

The distinctive new design and hosting is included in the majority of Cypress markets at no additional cost and creates a more effective way for Cypress technology to manage the largest online tee time network in the United States.

“Most of our operators were either paying way too much for their website or didn’t have a site they felt comfortable promoting,” said Matt Justine, East regional manager for Cypress. “Their previous website and email marketing technology did little to help them actually grow rounds and revenue or yield-manage their tee sheet. All of that has now changed with the launch of our new website technology.”

To view a sample of recent course websites built and managed by Cypress, please visit:

· www.emeraldcoastgolftrail.com

· www.playeagleridgegolf.com

· www.golfbridgewater.com

· www.summerglengolf.com

· www.debarygolf.com

For more information about these websites or to schedule a free demonstration, please contact 800.594.9280 ext 417.

Remember, Cypress has no up upfront or out-of-pocket costs and no long-term contracts.

You can cancel at anytime.

Solar Power Golf Carts - A Smart Alternative

Course owners may want to consider some alternatives for traditional golf carts for their courses. Solar-powered golf carts have become a smart way to save since the incentives starting popping up.

These environmentally-friendly carts recharge their own batteries in the sun through solar panels mounted on the roof. Using clean, renewable solar power is a terrific way to use natural resources for an alternative transportation-solution.

Moreover, the costs of solar-powered golf carts are right on par with regular electric-powered golf carts. And, they come with the added bonus of state and federal tax credits.

As of January 1, 2006, the IRS put into effect an investment tax credit for utilizing solar that allows for a 30% tax credit for investing. The solar panel and the batteries are all part of a solar system on the vehicle.

For example, if the retail value on a new golf cart is $2,700.00 for the solar panel and $600.00 for the batteries, which equals $3,300.00, then the tax credit would come to $990.00 (the numbers need to be modified for purchase of just the solar roof). Also, some states may offer additional tax credits so it's important to check with your state offices.

If you want to look further in solar-powered golf cars, check out Cruise Car

Cruise Car is currently developing a new product that will allow most golf carts to become solar powered vehicles. It will soon be available to golf courses, resorts any anyone who owns a golf cart. The solar panels can generate up to 180 watts and supply 3 amps directly to a 36 or 48 volt battery. This product is intended to increase the distance the cart can go on a single charge by 30%.

Is Your Course Up For A Challenge?

The great 2008 “Get Into Golf” National Skills Challenge is off. Nearly 2,000 affiliated golf courses are set up to embrace youth and golf by challenging them to a number of golfing disciplines.


As the challenge was developed for junior golfers under the age of 18, it is a great way to promote golf to younger players and a fun way to challenge them at all skill levels.

Once a golf club signs up to become a National Skills Center club, it will:

• Receive promotional posters to display
• Receive an Organizer's Manual
• Receive Rookie & Tour Challenge cue cards
• Be sent a selection of Rookie & Tour manuals to distribute to the golf club's registered junior players
• Have access to an information section on the website, detailing skills, ideas, downloads etc
• Have the ability to input event details and scores

The Challenge covers five golfing disciplines: putting, chipping, pitching, bunker play and full swing. Each discipline has two Challenge activities, making 10 in total. The first official Challenge of 2008 is due to start tomorrow on Saturday, March 8th.

This is just a terrific initiative for clubs to promote and support the nearly three million junior golfers (ages between 12 and 17) in America as well. Similar programs have been adopted aimed to impact the lives of young people. But, perhaps not only young persons would benefit, but your course would as well by checking out some of the following programs led by the PGA of America and The World Golf Foundation:

The First Tee

National School Golf Program

Junior Links