FIELDREPORT
Pros in the know have already booked for winter 2014-15
hosting social and tuition breaks, and receive commission each time one of their customers books with
Golfreaks.com (via
www.golfreaks.com/pgapro or 01753-754355). “This agreement will be beneficial to both parties,” says Foremost director Andy Martin. “It gives Foremost members the opportunity to enhance their relationship with their customers by offering them a wide range of outstanding deals at top quality golf venues all over the world. It also gives them access to a lucrative new revenue stream.”
Golfreaks.com account manager Murray Dalgliesh can organise and pre-book the entire trip, including accommodation, tee-times, guaranteed access to practice facilities, unlimited range balls, dinner reservations and airport transfers. “We also run Pro-Ams,” he says. “In 2015 there’ll be two in Spain, at La Reserva and Valderrama, plus our first-ever Pro-Am in the USA [at Pinehurst in February].”
Golfreaks.com offers a 5% commission on every booking made by a pro. Dalgleish estimates a pro can make as much as £2,500 from a tuition trip for a group of six to eight amateurs, and at the same time accumulate credits on a loyalty scheme that saves money on future outings.
“I love the fact that I don’t have to deal directly with any resorts,” says Steve Carter of South
22 SGBGOLF
Staffordshire golf club. “I tell Murray what I want and he deals with everything. There’s absolutely no hassle, just a great deal that I can then offer to my members. I’ve just taken 20 to Vila Sol and will be taking another 28 to Vilamoura in October. I do trips with [former Ryder Cup player] Peter Baker and typically we’ll have the range booked for an hour in the morning, where we work with the guests on whatever’s troubling them, then they play competitions in the aſternoon. It’s a great format.”
Not surprisingly, several pros are already basing themselves at warm-weather locations for up to two months to accommodate as many as 10 different groups. The optimum timespan for such trips is between November and March, according to PGA member Jim Long, a golf- travel industry veteran of more than 30 years and
Golfreaks.com’s director of golf pro relations.
“Pros will typically start planning during the summer to ensure they get the resorts and facilities they want,” he says. “Plus it gives them plenty of time to market the trip to their members. Pros in the know have already booked for winter 2014-15.”
“I’ve been doing tuition trips for a number of years and absolutely love it,” says Claire Duffy of Test Valley golf club in Hampshire. “I’ve taken
people to France, South Africa – even to Augusta – and it’s such a fantastic way of combining a golf holiday with some intensive coaching.”
Mark Brookes, head pro at The Players golf club in Bristol, agrees – “It creates a closer community amongst the members. They get to know one another in a fun, laid-back environment which really helps the newer members. I also get the opportunity to strengthen [my] relationships with members. There’s definitely a correlation between the success of the trip and spending at the club. “My role is host, organise and, tournament committee! I just keep it all running smoothly. No matter how many times you tell them, people always forget what they’re supposed to do.”
Brookes also stressed the importance of getting flights organised as early as possible and pre-booking restaurants. “You can’t just rock up with 30 people and get a table!”
Golfreaks.com also stages inspection trips for
pros to destinations like PGA Catalunya, La Cala, and Montecastillo in Spain, Aphrodite Hills in Cyprus, and Penina and Praia d’El Rey in Portugal.
Naturally, there are more planned for this
year. Not sure whether Woodhall Spa’s on the list, though!
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