Your Golf Travel.com, widely regarded as Europe’s fastest-growing golf travel company, has had its achievements officially recognised as London’s finest with a first-placed ranking in The Sunday Times Virgin 2010 Fast Track 100 guide.
Described by Sir Richard Branson as the ‘definitive barometer of private company growth’, The Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 league table ranks Britain’s fastest-growing private companies, based on sales growth over three years and is compiled and published each December.
Your Golf Travel.com underlined its continued strong trading history by improving its position in the 2010 ranking to sixth (from 15th in 2009). Better-still, it was recognised as the capital’s number-one growing business.
Golf may be considered a niche sport but the table ranks Your Golf Travel.com above many High Street brands and household names, trading everyday consumer goods. Furthermore, the company is the golf industry’s only representative in the prestigious league table.
Founders Ross Marshall and Andrew Harding ‘maxed out’ their credit cards to fund the start-up of the company in 2005. Today, the business offers domestic, European and long-haul golf holiday packages to 3,000 courses in 20 countries and books more than 150,000 travellers each year.
“The momentum is well and truly with us.” said chief executive Ross Marshall.
“We are absolutely delighted to once again be recognised by The Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 for our outstanding sales performance and to have improved our position again this year.
“While our customers come from across the UK, we are extremely proud of our London roots and being named the fastest-growing company in the capital is a great honour.
“2010 will see another significant rise in turnover and we look forward to continuing to grow the business in 2011.”
The performance of Your Golf Travel.com, since its inception in 2005, is remarkable and its lofty position in the prestigious guide is due to annual sales growth of 158 per cent over the past three years.
Sales increased to £16.4m from an annualised £541,000 in 2005.
The business also offers spa breaks through its sister company Spabreaks.com and recently launched fairwaytofurlong.com, a niche concept that combines golf and horse-racing breaks at the UK’s premier meetings.
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Award-winning results for Azalea
International PR and marketing agency the Azalea Group is hoping two forthcoming client award nominations will add to what has been an outstanding run of accolades in 2010 for its burgeoning client portfolio.
Both the five-star Legend Golf & Safari Resort, in South Africa, and Dartmouth Golf & Country Club, in Devon, have been nominated for upcoming awards and, if successful, will take the total for Azalea’s stable of clients to eight in recent months.
Only this month the five-star Fairmont St Andrews, at the ‘Home of Golf’, was named Resort Hotel of the Year at Golf Tourism Scotland’s Gold Standard awards. It is the second time the resort has won the award, having also received it in 2008, and comes hot on the heels of being declared Scotland’s best golf resort and spa by the World Travel Awards.
And Fairmont St Andrews’ leisure sales executive, Angus Watson, was personally recognised as Young Industry Person of the Year.
Another client celebrating success in the World Travel Awards was Legend Golf & Safari Resort which was named Africa’s Leading Sports Resort and South Africa’s Leading Golf Resort, while its Signature Golf Course was named the Best Golf Course in Africa at the World Property Awards in association with Bloomberg.
The resort, based in the Limpopo province, is now in the running for the award for World’s Best Course at the International Commercial Property Awards, to be decided in London later this month.
The five-star La Manga Club, in Spain’s Murcia region – long regarded as one of the continent’s finest sports and lifestyle destination resorts – has recently received recognition for its outstanding corporate appeal after it scooped a silver honour in the Best Overseas Conference Hotel category at the 2010 C&IT Hot List awards, voted for by readers of Conference & Incentive Travel magazine.
Meanwhile, domestically, the South Devon Golf Tour’s success in attracting golfers to the south-west is on the shortlist for the South Devon Excellence Awards.
The tour – an initiative from Dartmouth Golf & Country Club – reached the final stages of the ‘Best Sales and Marketing Award’ category, testament to the work done in bringing together seven of the region’s top golf venues in order to attract travelling golfers.
And, still at home, Weston-Super-Mare-based Masters Golf – Europe’s most-purchased golf brand – was awarded the title of ‘most profitable supplier’ by members of the Foremost Golf group, the largest buyer and seller of golf product in the UK, managing more than £125m-worth of buying relationships for around 1,000 PGA pros.
Sean Noble, Azalea’s UK managing director, said: “We must congratulate many of our clients on their excellence over the past year. These awards are well-deserved recognition for expertise, enterprise and endeavour in their specialist fields and we have been delighted to play our part.”
Both the five-star Legend Golf & Safari Resort, in South Africa, and Dartmouth Golf & Country Club, in Devon, have been nominated for upcoming awards and, if successful, will take the total for Azalea’s stable of clients to eight in recent months.
Only this month the five-star Fairmont St Andrews, at the ‘Home of Golf’, was named Resort Hotel of the Year at Golf Tourism Scotland’s Gold Standard awards. It is the second time the resort has won the award, having also received it in 2008, and comes hot on the heels of being declared Scotland’s best golf resort and spa by the World Travel Awards.
And Fairmont St Andrews’ leisure sales executive, Angus Watson, was personally recognised as Young Industry Person of the Year.
Another client celebrating success in the World Travel Awards was Legend Golf & Safari Resort which was named Africa’s Leading Sports Resort and South Africa’s Leading Golf Resort, while its Signature Golf Course was named the Best Golf Course in Africa at the World Property Awards in association with Bloomberg.
The resort, based in the Limpopo province, is now in the running for the award for World’s Best Course at the International Commercial Property Awards, to be decided in London later this month.
The five-star La Manga Club, in Spain’s Murcia region – long regarded as one of the continent’s finest sports and lifestyle destination resorts – has recently received recognition for its outstanding corporate appeal after it scooped a silver honour in the Best Overseas Conference Hotel category at the 2010 C&IT Hot List awards, voted for by readers of Conference & Incentive Travel magazine.
Meanwhile, domestically, the South Devon Golf Tour’s success in attracting golfers to the south-west is on the shortlist for the South Devon Excellence Awards.
The tour – an initiative from Dartmouth Golf & Country Club – reached the final stages of the ‘Best Sales and Marketing Award’ category, testament to the work done in bringing together seven of the region’s top golf venues in order to attract travelling golfers.
And, still at home, Weston-Super-Mare-based Masters Golf – Europe’s most-purchased golf brand – was awarded the title of ‘most profitable supplier’ by members of the Foremost Golf group, the largest buyer and seller of golf product in the UK, managing more than £125m-worth of buying relationships for around 1,000 PGA pros.
Sean Noble, Azalea’s UK managing director, said: “We must congratulate many of our clients on their excellence over the past year. These awards are well-deserved recognition for expertise, enterprise and endeavour in their specialist fields and we have been delighted to play our part.”
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
HowDidiDo Media appoints Azalea
HowDidiDo.com is Europe's largest golfing community
Europe’s largest golfing community, HowDidiDo, has engaged Hampshire-based PR and marketing specialist Azalea to handle its communications.
More than 250,000 golfers have registered with the website, which also contains the results of more than 21 million rounds along with the handicaps and scores of in excess of 1.1m golfers.
Standard membership is free and the plethora of statistics available allows any golfer to analyse and compare performance with other players at their own club or across the 1.1 m golfers.
The service is also available free to any golf club – and consequently its members – which uses the market-leading CLUB2000 software from Club Systems International, used by more than 1,500 clubs already.
Azalea will take immediate responsibility for raising the profile of HowDidiDo through both consumer and trade channels and Barry Dyett, managing director of HowDidiDo Media, said: “We have been very careful in selecting a communications partner that will deliver the reach and relationships we desire.
“Azalea has been well-known to us for some time and we are delighted to have them on board.”
Azalea’s UK managing director, Sean Noble, looks forward to furthering what has already been exponential growth for HowDidiDo. He added: “Our aim will be to elevate the HowDidiDo brand and services to their rightful place at the very heart of the UK golf community.”
Azalea’s portfolio already includes some outstanding golf resorts and courses – La Manga Club, in Murcia, Spain; Son Gual, Mallorca; Fairmont St Andrews, Scotland; and Legend Golf & Safari Resort, in South Africa – the Irish national tourist authority, Fáilte Ireland; and Europe’s most purchased golf brand, Masters Golf.
www.howdidido.com | www.theazaleagroup.com
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
Masters Golf is "most profitable" supplier
It's always good when a client receives an award...
The award was announced at The Golf Show 2010 – a joint venture trade show between the PGA, TGI Golf and Foremost – at the Harrogate Convention Centre.
Foremost Golf manages more than £125m-worth of buying relationships for around 1,000 PGA pros – an estimated 25 per cent of all UK golf sales.
And for Somerset-based Masters Golf, recognition as the group’s most profitable supplier is testament to the relationships it builds with its customers and the point-of-sale and stock management systems it employs in pro shops – often at no expense to the retailer.
European sales manager Andy Steele said: “We were delighted to receive this accolade which means so much as it was voted for by huge numbers of members.
“And the fact the accolade goes to the supplier with whom the professionals feel they are generating the most profit just illustrates how the Masters Golf brand helps golf retailers generate the best possible return on their investment.
“Much of this success may be attributed to the use of XPos and Stock Trac which, together, simplifies the whole ordering and stocking procedure, enabling the retailer to maximise profitability while reducing capital expenditure and dead stock.
“We’ve always known it made business easier and more profitable and now the pros can see it for themselves.”
The award was presented by Foremost Golf’s director of supplier management, Andy Martin, who said: “Masters has been a long standing supplier to the Foremost Group and the ‘most profitable supplier 2010’ award is well deserved.
“Not only does the Masters range of products return high margins for our member professionals but the replenishment service the company provides ensures the stock turns our members can generate are exceptionally high – delivering profit to their businesses.”
■ For more information on Masters Golf’s extensive range, XPos or Stock Trac visit http://www.mastersgolf.co.uk/.
Andy Steele, right, receives the award from Foremost's Andy Martin
MASTERS GOLF IS “MOST PROFITABLE” SUPPLIER
Members of the Foremost Golf group, the largest buyer and seller of golf product in the UK, have voted Masters Golf the most profitable supplier in the company’s 2010 supplier awards.
The award was announced at The Golf Show 2010 – a joint venture trade show between the PGA, TGI Golf and Foremost – at the Harrogate Convention Centre.
Foremost Golf manages more than £125m-worth of buying relationships for around 1,000 PGA pros – an estimated 25 per cent of all UK golf sales.
And for Somerset-based Masters Golf, recognition as the group’s most profitable supplier is testament to the relationships it builds with its customers and the point-of-sale and stock management systems it employs in pro shops – often at no expense to the retailer.
European sales manager Andy Steele said: “We were delighted to receive this accolade which means so much as it was voted for by huge numbers of members.
“And the fact the accolade goes to the supplier with whom the professionals feel they are generating the most profit just illustrates how the Masters Golf brand helps golf retailers generate the best possible return on their investment.
“Much of this success may be attributed to the use of XPos and Stock Trac which, together, simplifies the whole ordering and stocking procedure, enabling the retailer to maximise profitability while reducing capital expenditure and dead stock.
“We’ve always known it made business easier and more profitable and now the pros can see it for themselves.”
The award was presented by Foremost Golf’s director of supplier management, Andy Martin, who said: “Masters has been a long standing supplier to the Foremost Group and the ‘most profitable supplier 2010’ award is well deserved.
“Not only does the Masters range of products return high margins for our member professionals but the replenishment service the company provides ensures the stock turns our members can generate are exceptionally high – delivering profit to their businesses.”
■ For more information on Masters Golf’s extensive range, XPos or Stock Trac visit http://www.mastersgolf.co.uk/.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Defending champion in pole position after day one of Disabled British Open
Last year’s winner, Duncan Hamilton-Martin, was the joint leader after the first day of the Disabled British Open (DBO) at East Sussex National.
Three-handicapper Hamilton Martin shared the lead with Robert Paul, who plays off seven – both of whom shot an impressive first-round gross 78.
The DBO also has three handicap categories, with Martin Jelley and William West, both 12-handicappers, leading category one (handicaps 0-13.4) with nett 70s; Tony Lloyd (15) heading category two (13.4-20.4), after also shooting a nett 70; and, in the category three (>20.5) Stableford competition, Paul Cunningham (27.6) leads with 39 points.
Three-handicapper Hamilton Martin shared the lead with Robert Paul, who plays off seven – both of whom shot an impressive first-round gross 78.
The DBO also has three handicap categories, with Martin Jelley and William West, both 12-handicappers, leading category one (handicaps 0-13.4) with nett 70s; Tony Lloyd (15) heading category two (13.4-20.4), after also shooting a nett 70; and, in the category three (>20.5) Stableford competition, Paul Cunningham (27.6) leads with 39 points.
by our man in Havana ... well East Sussex anyway
Monday, September 20, 2010
Marriott bookings take off with GolfSwitch portal
The UK Marriott organisation has seen an “exponential” rise in its tee-time bookings since launching a new golf specific portal site with GolfSwitch, the world’s largest online, real-time, tee-time distribution network.
Marriottgolf.co.uk was launched in mid-June to enable golfers to book real-time tee-times at the hotel chain’s 11 Marriott Golf Hotels & Country Clubs 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week.
And Alison Ainsworth, Marriott’s senior director of golf, leisure and spa operations Europe, predicts that it will continue to drive an increase in the number of on-line tee-time bookings received by the resort specialist.
She said: “Since we launched our portal site (www.marriottgolf.co.uk) with GolfSwitch, just over two months ago, we have seen many new golfers finding their way to our courses.
“The online booking engine has exceeded all our expectations with more than 1,000 bookings since the launch and growing exponentially. Not only does this bring in extra revenue but it will also allow us to market to these golfers in the future with the many promotional offers we will be able to put on at short notice.
“GolfSwitch has been instrumental in giving us the confidence and the proof to expect to fulfil a considerable amount of Marriott's UK tee-time business online within the next year.”
GolfSwitch, the largest real-time, online golf reservation network in the world, powers around 1,500 courses worldwide and drives more than four-million tee times to the courses.
Jo Maes, European director for GolfSwitch, added: “We’re obviously delighted that Marriott is having such success with the portal – but not surprised. Marriott has a varied range of top-quality courses and resorts and enabling real-time access to tee-times was always going to prove popular with golfers searching for a simple way to book tee-times at top venues.
“GolfSwitch is continuing to cement its reputation as the most sought-after solution in the online tee-time marketplace today. Word of the success of the Marriott portal has already got around so we are increasingly being asked to discuss similar solutions for a range of top-end clients across Europe.”
www.golfswitch.com | www.marriottgolf.co.uk
Marriottgolf.co.uk was launched in mid-June to enable golfers to book real-time tee-times at the hotel chain’s 11 Marriott Golf Hotels & Country Clubs 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week.
And Alison Ainsworth, Marriott’s senior director of golf, leisure and spa operations Europe, predicts that it will continue to drive an increase in the number of on-line tee-time bookings received by the resort specialist.
She said: “Since we launched our portal site (www.marriottgolf.co.uk) with GolfSwitch, just over two months ago, we have seen many new golfers finding their way to our courses.
“The online booking engine has exceeded all our expectations with more than 1,000 bookings since the launch and growing exponentially. Not only does this bring in extra revenue but it will also allow us to market to these golfers in the future with the many promotional offers we will be able to put on at short notice.
“GolfSwitch has been instrumental in giving us the confidence and the proof to expect to fulfil a considerable amount of Marriott's UK tee-time business online within the next year.”
GolfSwitch, the largest real-time, online golf reservation network in the world, powers around 1,500 courses worldwide and drives more than four-million tee times to the courses.
Jo Maes, European director for GolfSwitch, added: “We’re obviously delighted that Marriott is having such success with the portal – but not surprised. Marriott has a varied range of top-quality courses and resorts and enabling real-time access to tee-times was always going to prove popular with golfers searching for a simple way to book tee-times at top venues.
“GolfSwitch is continuing to cement its reputation as the most sought-after solution in the online tee-time marketplace today. Word of the success of the Marriott portal has already got around so we are increasingly being asked to discuss similar solutions for a range of top-end clients across Europe.”
www.golfswitch.com | www.marriottgolf.co.uk
Wilson backs Disabled British Open
Competitors in the second annual Disabled British Open (DBO) golf championship, which began today at East Sussex Golf Resort & Spa, have been given a timely boost from world number 68 Oliver Wilson.
The Surrey-based professional, who finished last season ranked ninth in Europe, took time out for his preparations for the forthcoming Dunhill Links Championship to send his best wishes to all 72 disabled athletes participating in the two-day event, which has been hailed as ‘the most inclusive pan-disability event in the country’.
Wilson, currently England’s seventh-highest ranked professional, said: “I would like to wish all the athletes taking part in the Disabled British Open this week the very best of luck.
“As a resident of the south-east, it is great to see this event come back to the region for the second year running. It is truly an inspiration to me to see all 72 participants compete for this coveted title.
“I hope I am able to draw upon some that inspiration when I compete in next year’s Open Championship at Royal St George’s.”
Competitors aged between 16 and 71have travelled to Sussex from as far afield as South Africa, Pakistan, Spain, Ireland and Germany to line up against their UK contemporaries.
■ To find out more about the 2010 Disabled British Open visit http://www.disabledbritishopen.org/, or contact Andy Barwell on 07961 315520.
The Surrey-based professional, who finished last season ranked ninth in Europe, took time out for his preparations for the forthcoming Dunhill Links Championship to send his best wishes to all 72 disabled athletes participating in the two-day event, which has been hailed as ‘the most inclusive pan-disability event in the country’.
Wilson, currently England’s seventh-highest ranked professional, said: “I would like to wish all the athletes taking part in the Disabled British Open this week the very best of luck.
“As a resident of the south-east, it is great to see this event come back to the region for the second year running. It is truly an inspiration to me to see all 72 participants compete for this coveted title.
“I hope I am able to draw upon some that inspiration when I compete in next year’s Open Championship at Royal St George’s.”
Competitors aged between 16 and 71have travelled to Sussex from as far afield as South Africa, Pakistan, Spain, Ireland and Germany to line up against their UK contemporaries.
■ To find out more about the 2010 Disabled British Open visit http://www.disabledbritishopen.org/, or contact Andy Barwell on 07961 315520.
Thursday, September 02, 2010
Online partnership offers unique real-time tee-time booking option
One Golf Network, the marketing and tee time initiative endorsed by the English and Welsh Golf Unions, has partnered with GolfHub – the only multi-resort, real-time, online tee-time booking system in Europe – to offer UK golfers unprecedented tee-time access across Europe.
One Golf Network has been developed to allow every UK and Irish golf club the ability to market available tee-times and green fees to the largest possible audience of online golfers whilst staying in full control of their tee times and their price.
GolfHub, the community platform for GolfSwitch, the world’s largest online real time tee-time distribution network, already covered a large swathe of continental Europe and will now offer UK-based golfers the same extensive booking facility. The partnership means golfers can now book tee-times on more than 200 courses in Europe and 1,400 US courses at one visit.
Jo Maes, GolfHub’s director of European development, said: “Initially around 350 UK courses will be accessible through GolfHub, but this figure will grow as more golf clubs utilise One Golf Network.
“There are around 3,000 courses in the UK and Ireland and while, naturally, they won’t all sign up, many of them are expected to, which will benefit golfers and GolfHub members enormously.
“The partnership with One Golf Network is mutually hugely beneficial. One Golf Network effectively acts as GolfHub within the UK and Ireland, while access to the GolfSwitch network affords their users, the English and Welsh golfers, access to more than 1,600 courses across the globe.
“This partnership will also allow GolfSwitch to connect more and more courses in the tourism hot spots as it brings more golfers to our offering – and every course down south desperately wants access to these golfers.”
Jane Carter, managing director of Gemini Network Media, operator of One Golf Network, said: “We are delighted to be working alongside GolfSwitch to bring the largest tee-time booking service to golfers in the UK and Ireland. Working with our network of partner websites, One Golf Network will now offer the most comprehensive tee-time booking service to a growing online audience.”
With more than 1,600 connected courses and four-million transactions processed per year, GolfSwitch has become the go-to organisation to market available tee-times. And its community platform, Golfhub, is steadily becoming Europe’s largest online golf community.
Maes added: “GolfSwitch is undoubtedly the most sought-after solution in the online tee-time marketplace today. It is immediate, flexible and – crucially for the consumer – up-to-the-moment. Yet, with GolfSwitch it is always the course which determines the business rules regarding availability and rate, allowing them full control over their own inventory.”
The partnership with One Golf Network continues GolfHub’s expansion which only recently added the St Andrews Old Course Hotel and the complete portfolio of UK Marriott golf courses, including Forest of Arden, Hollins Hall, Dalmahoy and Marriott St Pierre.
www.golfhub.com | www.onegolfnetwork.co.uk
One Golf Network has been developed to allow every UK and Irish golf club the ability to market available tee-times and green fees to the largest possible audience of online golfers whilst staying in full control of their tee times and their price.
GolfHub, the community platform for GolfSwitch, the world’s largest online real time tee-time distribution network, already covered a large swathe of continental Europe and will now offer UK-based golfers the same extensive booking facility. The partnership means golfers can now book tee-times on more than 200 courses in Europe and 1,400 US courses at one visit.
Jo Maes, GolfHub’s director of European development, said: “Initially around 350 UK courses will be accessible through GolfHub, but this figure will grow as more golf clubs utilise One Golf Network.
“There are around 3,000 courses in the UK and Ireland and while, naturally, they won’t all sign up, many of them are expected to, which will benefit golfers and GolfHub members enormously.
“The partnership with One Golf Network is mutually hugely beneficial. One Golf Network effectively acts as GolfHub within the UK and Ireland, while access to the GolfSwitch network affords their users, the English and Welsh golfers, access to more than 1,600 courses across the globe.
“This partnership will also allow GolfSwitch to connect more and more courses in the tourism hot spots as it brings more golfers to our offering – and every course down south desperately wants access to these golfers.”
Jane Carter, managing director of Gemini Network Media, operator of One Golf Network, said: “We are delighted to be working alongside GolfSwitch to bring the largest tee-time booking service to golfers in the UK and Ireland. Working with our network of partner websites, One Golf Network will now offer the most comprehensive tee-time booking service to a growing online audience.”
With more than 1,600 connected courses and four-million transactions processed per year, GolfSwitch has become the go-to organisation to market available tee-times. And its community platform, Golfhub, is steadily becoming Europe’s largest online golf community.
Maes added: “GolfSwitch is undoubtedly the most sought-after solution in the online tee-time marketplace today. It is immediate, flexible and – crucially for the consumer – up-to-the-moment. Yet, with GolfSwitch it is always the course which determines the business rules regarding availability and rate, allowing them full control over their own inventory.”
The partnership with One Golf Network continues GolfHub’s expansion which only recently added the St Andrews Old Course Hotel and the complete portfolio of UK Marriott golf courses, including Forest of Arden, Hollins Hall, Dalmahoy and Marriott St Pierre.
www.golfhub.com | www.onegolfnetwork.co.uk
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Rafael Nadal's all-white at Golf Son Gual
Rafa Nadal wears the Son Gual brand with pride
World number one tennis player, Rafael Nadal, swapped his tennis whites for golf whites when competing in the Torneo Blanco at the prestigious Golf Son Gual club in Mallorca.
The 2010 Wimbledon singles champion was relaxing ahead of his busy tennis schedule leading up to the US Open at Flushing Meadows at the end of the month, where he hopes to win his ninth Grand Slam title.
The annual Torneo Blanco event is open to members and VIP visitors with a white-only dress code. The ensuing on-course spectacle was enough to make any leading washing powder manufacturer jealous with envy and Nadal’s attendance put many of his fellow competitors in a spin.
Nadal is a frequent visitor to Son Gual and is the latest in a long line of celebrities charmed by the beauty, playability and serenity of the club, which is located just outside Palma on the sunshine isle.
Spanish World Cup winner and Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina took time out after his exploits in South Africa; former footballers Jamie Redknapp, Andy Gray and Alan McInally were among a group of Sky Sports analysts and commentators who visited for an end-of-season golf day; and other familiar faces at the course have included comedian Jasper Carrott, tennis legend Boris Becker and German national football coach Joachim Löw.
www.son-gual.com
GolfSwitch proves the professionals’ choice
Visitors to the PGAs of Europe website can now book tee-times at more than 1,500 golf courses in Europe and the USA after the organisation signed up to GolfSwitch, the world’s largest online, real time, tee-time distribution network.
The PGAs of Europe is an association of 37 national PGAs with a combined membership in the region of 18,500 golf professionals – and the website attracts not only these professionals but also amateurs keen to learn more about the game.
Ian Randell, chief executive of the PGAs of Europe, said: “PGA Professionals often influence not only how people play golf but also where they play the game. As well as providing important information for professionals, our website is designed for anybody who is keen on developing their golf and their golfing experiences.
“By teaming up with GolfSwitch, which is rapidly expanding its reach both in terms of countries and courses, to utilise its online tee time booking engine on the PGAs of Europe website, we can provide the amateur golfer with an immediate possibility to book live rounds of golf worldwide.”
Jo Maes, GolfSwitch’s director of European development, said: “Having the game’s professional choose GolfSwitch for their online tee-time booking solution shows not only how important the whole online booking sphere has become, but also acts as a further testament to our standing as a market leader in the industry.
“GolfSwitch is undoubtedly the most sought-after solution in the online tee-time marketplace today. It is immediate, flexible and – crucially for the consumer – up-to-the-moment. Yet, with GolfSwitch it is always the course which determines the business rules regarding availability and rate, allowing them full control over their own inventory.”
GolfSwitch offers many solutions for golf clubs and resorts to market themselves online. From a single tee-time booking, a special, a golf pass combined with other courses within a region, a tour operator engine for bookings directly into the tee sheet, or a packaging engine to combine rooms and tee times to a complete yield management suite that allows the client to plan ahead and yield green fee rates against high and low in demand times.
GolfSwitch is continuing its expansion into Europe with many major golf resorts and organisations joining the network and availing themselves of the many online solutions on offer.
www.golfswitch.com | www.pgae.com
The PGAs of Europe is an association of 37 national PGAs with a combined membership in the region of 18,500 golf professionals – and the website attracts not only these professionals but also amateurs keen to learn more about the game.
Ian Randell, chief executive of the PGAs of Europe, said: “PGA Professionals often influence not only how people play golf but also where they play the game. As well as providing important information for professionals, our website is designed for anybody who is keen on developing their golf and their golfing experiences.
“By teaming up with GolfSwitch, which is rapidly expanding its reach both in terms of countries and courses, to utilise its online tee time booking engine on the PGAs of Europe website, we can provide the amateur golfer with an immediate possibility to book live rounds of golf worldwide.”
Jo Maes, GolfSwitch’s director of European development, said: “Having the game’s professional choose GolfSwitch for their online tee-time booking solution shows not only how important the whole online booking sphere has become, but also acts as a further testament to our standing as a market leader in the industry.
“GolfSwitch is undoubtedly the most sought-after solution in the online tee-time marketplace today. It is immediate, flexible and – crucially for the consumer – up-to-the-moment. Yet, with GolfSwitch it is always the course which determines the business rules regarding availability and rate, allowing them full control over their own inventory.”
GolfSwitch offers many solutions for golf clubs and resorts to market themselves online. From a single tee-time booking, a special, a golf pass combined with other courses within a region, a tour operator engine for bookings directly into the tee sheet, or a packaging engine to combine rooms and tee times to a complete yield management suite that allows the client to plan ahead and yield green fee rates against high and low in demand times.
GolfSwitch is continuing its expansion into Europe with many major golf resorts and organisations joining the network and availing themselves of the many online solutions on offer.
www.golfswitch.com | www.pgae.com
Thursday, August 05, 2010
Disabled British Open is full
All competitors’ places in the second annual Disabled British Open (DBO) golf championship have been filled within weeks of the event’s launch.
A total of 72 disabled athletes from across the globe will take to the tees at East Sussex National GC, on September 20-21 – with the event truly living up to its claim as the ‘the most inclusive pan-disability event in the country’.
Competitors with a wide range of disabilities will fly in from South Africa, Pakistan, Spain, Ireland and Germany to line up against UK entries and their ages range from 16 to 71.
Plus, four members of the GB Special Olympics team will also be participating in the contest which will be played out over the 7,138-yard, Robert E Cupp-designed East course.
Last year’s inaugural event at Old Thorns, in Hampshire – which was broadcast on Sky Sports – was one of 15 projects delivered in the south-east through the Accentuate programme, set up as part of region’s drive to create a cultural shift in the way disabled people are perceived by celebrating excellence and showcasing talent, in the run-up to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Accentuate is funded by SEEDA and Legacy Trust UK, an independent charity set up to leave a lasting cultural and sporting legacy from the 2012 Games.
And Andy Barwell, from Hampshire-based organiser the Azalea Group, is delighted with the huge and swift response from disabled golfers worldwide.
He said: “To be honest I’ve been shocked by the interest from abroad. We knew the event proved popular here in the UK and the coverage on Sky Sports helped get the message out further. But we were receiving enquiries almost daily from potential overseas competitors.
“I think we could organise a completely continental field were it not for the prohibitive costs of air fares these days. We will have three women participating this year – which is an increase of 200 per cent on the 2009 event. And we have considerably more single-figure golfers – so the competition at the top end will be very stiff.
“We’re delighted with the reaction and believe the event will grow exponentially from this solid start of the past two years.”
His pleasure at seeing the field fill up was echoed by Esther Appleyard, Accentuate’s joint programme director. She said: “It is testament to the quality of the event that so many people have entered so quickly. The DBO is a fantastic way of approaching disabled golf while celebrating the talents of our disabled sports people.
“Anybody who witnessed last year’s competition could not fail to have been impressed by the high skill levels. It was a high-quality event in every way and I hope the competitors enjoy the competition at East Sussex National as much as they did last year’s inaugural championship.”
Meanwhile, Barwell is also receiving numerous enquiries from people offering to volunteer as marshals, ball-spotters, buggy drivers and caddies.
A free, four-day, spectator safety level two NVQ course – a qualification in crowd marshalling and stewarding – is on offer to volunteers, courtesy of Telford College of Arts and Technology.
And Barwell added: “Many of those who volunteered at last year’s DBO in Hampshire, have already intimated they would like to come back to East Sussex National and help out again.
“A lot of people recognised how the event contributes hugely to the progress of disability golf and are incredibly keen to help. This year’s DBO is a slightly larger event and we will need even more volunteers to help in crucial roles.”
■ To join the band of volunteers or to find out more about the 2010 Disabled British Open visit www.disabledbritishopen.org, or contact Andy Barwell on 07961 315520 or at andy@theazaleagroup.com.
Monday, May 10, 2010
MP elected - vacancy exists for experienced beverage supplier
Steve Brine: Conservative MP for Winchester
- but don't let him make you a coffee
We are delighted to report that Azalea’s very own Steve Brine won the parliamentary seat of Winchester in last Thursday’s general election.
Our joy is two-fold: firstly because we’re obviously thrilled for Steve as it has always been his ambition to become a Member of Parliament; and secondly because it means we will no longer have to suffer his dreadful tea and coffee making.
If his parliamentary career is as memorable as his beverage production during his time at Azalea, he will have created quite a stir.
We’d like to wish him well and remind him there’s still a desk here with his name on it if he ever wants to claim expenses for an out-of-town office…
BUNKY
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
Whatever party we support, we're backing ONE Tory
Steve Brine - Conservative candidate for Winchester
Like any working office, Azalea has people of most political persuasions.
Yet tomorrow, while we may all go off and vote for different candidates in different constiuencies, we're all agreed on the candidate we'd like to win the Winchester seat: the Conservative candidate Steve Brine.
For Steve is one of us. Not one of them, one of us: an Azalea person. Steve is a shareholder in the company and until he began campaigning full-time he was working with us here in Petersfield.
All of us agree, whatever our political allegiance, that Steve is a top bloke. We wish him good luck and will all raise a glass to him should he succeed.
BUNKY
Thursday, March 25, 2010
For delivery or collection
Tucked in among the post this morning were three envelopes marked for ‘The Pizza Connoisseur’ Tha Azalea Group, etc, etc.
Not surprisingly they landed on my desk. I can’t argue for, in the past, I have been known to order a delivery pizza for my lunch when I have been feeling extremely stressed.
What was more surprising, however, was that each of the envelopes – which all carried a second-class stamp – contained an identical Papa John’s menu.
Three of them. On the same day.
Papa John’s menus are the commonest form of junk mail in Petersfield. On average each household receives 1.4 metric tonnes of Papa John’s menus per annum. To counteract this, the local council has upped its recycling collection while allowing Domino’s Pizza to open nearby and set about doubling the tally.
But previously, they were just shoved through the letterbox by kids who were already delivering free papers – thus there was an automatic QA traceable route from letterbox straight top recycling bin.
But now they’re posting them to us, three at a time, teasingly addressed to the Pizza Connoisseur. It’s a subtle marketing ploy. And it may just work.
Ooooh!! Buy one get one free… Mmmmm!
Not surprisingly they landed on my desk. I can’t argue for, in the past, I have been known to order a delivery pizza for my lunch when I have been feeling extremely stressed.
What was more surprising, however, was that each of the envelopes – which all carried a second-class stamp – contained an identical Papa John’s menu.
Three of them. On the same day.
Papa John’s menus are the commonest form of junk mail in Petersfield. On average each household receives 1.4 metric tonnes of Papa John’s menus per annum. To counteract this, the local council has upped its recycling collection while allowing Domino’s Pizza to open nearby and set about doubling the tally.
But previously, they were just shoved through the letterbox by kids who were already delivering free papers – thus there was an automatic QA traceable route from letterbox straight top recycling bin.
But now they’re posting them to us, three at a time, teasingly addressed to the Pizza Connoisseur. It’s a subtle marketing ploy. And it may just work.
Ooooh!! Buy one get one free… Mmmmm!
BUNKY
Thursday, March 04, 2010
Just call me Jess
Henry Alliss' father, Peter, played Ryder Cup golf. So did Henry's grandfather, Percy.
Therefore it must come as a shock - and no little disappointment - to learn of young Henry's lack of ambition.
Despite having risen to the giddy heights of account manager at Azalea, Henry stated this lunchtime that he had 'a song for every occasion' and wished to be a 'Jess Conrad for the 21st century'.
It's a refreshing admission, given that most youngsters these days want to be Dizzy Ratbag or whatever his name is. But what shocked me most was that a 26-year-old had ever heard of Jess Conrad.
I suppose he must have made up a fourball at some stage...
Therefore it must come as a shock - and no little disappointment - to learn of young Henry's lack of ambition.
Despite having risen to the giddy heights of account manager at Azalea, Henry stated this lunchtime that he had 'a song for every occasion' and wished to be a 'Jess Conrad for the 21st century'.
It's a refreshing admission, given that most youngsters these days want to be Dizzy Ratbag or whatever his name is. But what shocked me most was that a 26-year-old had ever heard of Jess Conrad.
I suppose he must have made up a fourball at some stage...
BUNKY
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Adding the feminine touch
A month has passed since I wrote my note
But I should have known this right from the start
Only snow can keep us together
Snow can freeze your wife but
Ice can break your arm...
It seems the snow has left us for good so it's back to the world of PR, marketing, coffee-making, middle-age crises and lunchtime Facebook Scrabble reports.
But hang on...
Walked out this morning, don't believe what I saw
A renowned PR operator knocking on our door
Seems I'm not alone in doing PR
Hundred billion just like me, heading for the bar…
Obviously doesn't work if you're not familiar with the 80s' Police classic Message in a Bottle – but those of us of a certain age are, and, with all due respect, our new PR specialist would have been in her leg warmers and puffball skirt bopping away to that with the rest of us.
In a hugely roundabout way that brings me round to welcoming the latest guru to the Azalea fold. You may know her as Melanie Faldo, for it was as in 1990 she established Melanie Faldo Public Relations & Marketing, following her marriage to the former world number one golfer Nick Faldo.
It is as Melanie Hickey that we welcome her into our waiting arms (metaphorically Mr Hickey) and are delighted so to do.
Melanie will work on a number of forthcoming projects beginning with – but not limited to, say the lawyers – Azalea’s new contract with Fairmont St Andrews (about which more later).
But I should have known this right from the start
Only snow can keep us together
Snow can freeze your wife but
Ice can break your arm...
It seems the snow has left us for good so it's back to the world of PR, marketing, coffee-making, middle-age crises and lunchtime Facebook Scrabble reports.
But hang on...
Walked out this morning, don't believe what I saw
A renowned PR operator knocking on our door
Seems I'm not alone in doing PR
Hundred billion just like me, heading for the bar…
Obviously doesn't work if you're not familiar with the 80s' Police classic Message in a Bottle – but those of us of a certain age are, and, with all due respect, our new PR specialist would have been in her leg warmers and puffball skirt bopping away to that with the rest of us.
In a hugely roundabout way that brings me round to welcoming the latest guru to the Azalea fold. You may know her as Melanie Faldo, for it was as in 1990 she established Melanie Faldo Public Relations & Marketing, following her marriage to the former world number one golfer Nick Faldo.
It is as Melanie Hickey that we welcome her into our waiting arms (metaphorically Mr Hickey) and are delighted so to do.
Melanie will work on a number of forthcoming projects beginning with – but not limited to, say the lawyers – Azalea’s new contract with Fairmont St Andrews (about which more later).
Melanie, second right, meets her new client, from left, Graeme Dawson (Leisure Sales & Marketing Manager), Jane Frazer (Director of Sales & Marketing), and Stewart Elder (Golf Sales Manager)
She brings with her a wealth of experience and a gilt-edged picture frame called Nigel.
She will also, of course, be given access to this blog, which means we may get stuff about fluffy kittens and crocheting instead of Monster Trucks and Chuck Norris DVDs, but it's about time we got in touch with our feminine side.
Welcome Melanie.
Oh, by the way, there is a proper press release available here...
BUNKY
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Latest from snowbound Petersfield - #6
There were just two of us in today.
One was in Dublin for a meeting; one had a day off; and three worked from home.
If anything, today was even more treacherous than last week, as fresh snow had settled on what had become sheet ice ... though some of it was quite good.
The daring duo are currently preparing themselves for the yomp home. The 3/4mile trip will take us the best part of 30-40 minutes, if this morning's effort is anything to go by. And of course it's now dark.
"It's 3/4mile to home; we got four layers of clothing, a full tank of coffee, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses. Hit it..."
One was in Dublin for a meeting; one had a day off; and three worked from home.
If anything, today was even more treacherous than last week, as fresh snow had settled on what had become sheet ice ... though some of it was quite good.
The daring duo are currently preparing themselves for the yomp home. The 3/4mile trip will take us the best part of 30-40 minutes, if this morning's effort is anything to go by. And of course it's now dark.
"It's 3/4mile to home; we got four layers of clothing, a full tank of coffee, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses. Hit it..."
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Latest from snowbound Petersfield - #5
Now three in ... and the first by car for two days.
The car park is no longer purely virgin snow. :o(
The car park is no longer purely virgin snow. :o(
Latest from snowbound Petersfield - #4
Two in this morning. Others working from home.
All credit to our managing director, Sean Noble, who made a detour on his two-mile yomp through the snow to ensure we had coffee, milk and sugar.
That's why we have such a happy team at Azalea, sated, as we are, on consistent supplies of instant coffee!
All credit to our managing director, Sean Noble, who made a detour on his two-mile yomp through the snow to ensure we had coffee, milk and sugar.
That's why we have such a happy team at Azalea, sated, as we are, on consistent supplies of instant coffee!
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Latest from snowbound Petersfield - #3
Still three people in.
We have milk, but no coffee or sugar. Curse you whoever you are...
This is how it looks currently - we reckon we've got about eight inches here, which is unheard of in Petersfield.
We have milk, but no coffee or sugar. Curse you whoever you are...
This is how it looks currently - we reckon we've got about eight inches here, which is unheard of in Petersfield.
The view from the office door
The office at 1.30pm
The view across the empty car park towards the Downs
Don't suppose anybody fancies airlifting in three curries?
Latest from snowbound Petersfield - #2
9.41am third member of staff arrives ... with milk! Gold star for the gold top.
Three working from home. Or that's what they claim...
Three working from home. Or that's what they claim...
Latest from snowbound Petersfield
Staff count at 8.53am: two.
Number expected: three.
Serves them right for living within walking distance...
Number expected: three.
Serves them right for living within walking distance...
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
NSS #1
We've just had some marketing material through which gave us our first 'No sh*t Sherlock!' moment of 2010.
It came from Golf Digest Ireland and stated: "Golf Digest Ireland is the biggest selling and only monthly Irish golf magazine in Ireland."
It came from Golf Digest Ireland and stated: "Golf Digest Ireland is the biggest selling and only monthly Irish golf magazine in Ireland."
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