Journal Entry #17
Friday
October 3, 2003
(NOTE: Click here for the Open Golf Tournaments article!)
This year I have had the pleasure to meet and be assisted by Dennis and Betsey McCann, who are the owners of Advantage Golf of Colorado. They acquired the franchise and opened for business in January of this year.
Advantage Golf provides everything that is needed to stage successful golf tournaments for fund-raising groups and corporate outings. The nationwide concern assisted in over 5,000 tournaments last year. The McCann's operation has provided services to over 60 golf tournaments in Colorado this year.
What is most astonishing about Advantage Golf is that they do not charge their clients a service fee. The bucks stay with the organizations putting on golf and other events.
Nationwide directory: www.advantagegolf.com/contact.htm You can simply put in your area code and the contact for your state/area will be displayed. Or, you can scroll down to the United States map and link to various locations in our country. When you talk to someone, remember to tell them you are referred by SeniorFriendlyGolf.com. They probably won't know what you are talking about, but I will appreciate it.
SeniorFriendlyGolf.com started in March 2003. I needed support to develop the SFG web site and services, also at no cost to anyone but myself. Dennis and Betsey came through. They provide me with certificates for FREE Giant Golf lob wedges to give to all entries in golf tournaments in the southern Colorado area. They also arranged for me to proved free AvidGolfer magazines for goodie bags. In the last month, with their help, I have assisted half a dozen successful local tournaments.
Contact Dennis directly for Colorado through the national link or just email him direct at dmccann@advangagegolf.com. Or, give him a call (720) 482-1730. If you mention SeniorFriendlyGolf, he will know what you are talking about, and I will still appreciate it.
To get your golf event listed on SFG and see what SeniorFriendlyGolf.com will do for you and your tournament click here.
Among the services Advantage Golf provides is insuring hole-in-on contests. You know, where you get a brand new automobile for putting your golf ball in the hole from the tee on a three par. This insurance is competitive with other insurance companies, but it comes with three extras. Those three extras include golf school trips for a hole-in-one at any of the other three par holes not providing vehicles. Tournament organizers can secure sponsors for the additional par threes and keep all the money.
My favorite promotional event is the "shoot-out." A sponsor is secured who purchases the insurance to fund a $100,000 to $1,000,000 hole in one "shoot out." One three-par hole is designated to qualify the four closest tee shots as finalists. At the end of the tournament everyone gathers around the 18th green and the four finalists back off the green, 150 yards or so, and they get one shot for a hole in one. The crowd cheers, or boos, as each focuses and divots their wedge shots to the pin. In the hole wins! The four heroes then come in for pats on the back or whatever.
The "Shoot out" is a great opportunity for a major sponsor to promote the million- dollar event, the tournament, and their company. Radio and TV stations are a natural for this. So are car dealerships.
Advantage Golf provides unique golf and other merchandise for silent auctions. When I was in their office last month, I noticed framed memorabilia with both Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods signed documents. Silent auction items are provided at no cost to organizations. There are minimum bid amounts and anything not sold is simply returned. Silent auctions are great when it's too cold for a tournament outdoors. At those events Advantage Golf can provide scratch cards with 18 holes so you can plan a fantasy-type golf tournament inside. This is great for a dinner party or the silent auction. There is a charge for the cards, I think it's $3.00 each. If a certain number of cards are purchased, there is a golf school trip awarded to the winner. Those attending an event purchase a card for $5 or $10. More money for the charity or organization.
Let's be fair. Advantage Golf and their franchisees are not charitable organizations. They do have to make a living, make money. They can stay in business because they get commissions on the insurance sponsors purchase to protect them from actually having to give away a new car or a million dollars. And, Advantage Golf does sell merchandise. Since you usually have to give a golf shirt or something to entrants anyway, why not source from Advantage Golf?
Merchandise is available with company logos. There is everything from logo golf balls and golf shirts to golf clubs and luggage. Pricing is competitive, and remember to tell them when ordering that you were referred by SeniorFriendlyGolf.com. They probably won't know what you are talking about (again), but who knows, they may give you a discount. No promises, but I am sure they will accept any referrals.
One thing I have noticed recently is that major sponsors of charity tournaments are seldom given anything in appreciation for their underwriting the event. Advantage Golf has some very unique items to show appreciation. I have noticed a variety of desk sets and other items just right for saying "thank you." Ask Dennis about this. 720-482-1730. dmccann@advantagegolf.com
If you need more information contact Dennis or me. john@seniorfirendlygolf.com