PGA Tour Getting In The Online Tee Time Business
/The re-branded site will be a joint venture with EZLinks Golf, operators of TeeOff.com. With GolfNow.com as the dominant force in online tee times, it's a fascinating play by the PGA Tour to (A) take aim at one of partner Golf Channel's successful businesses, (B) move into areas removed from their core business of running tournaments and (C) launch another digital initiative.
The full release:
PGA TOUR & EZLinks Golf Forge New Company – EZLinks Golf LLC
TeeOff.com by PGA TOUR Marks TOUR’S Entry into Tee Time Marketplace,
Underscores Commitment to Growing the Game of Golf
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla., and CHICAGO (June 8, 2015) – The PGA TOUR and EZLinks Golf, Inc., a pioneer in golf course technology and services, today announced the formation of a new company, EZLinks Golf LLC. A PGA TOUR affiliated company, EZLinks Golf LLC marks the TOUR’s entry into the tee time marketplace with TeeOff.com by PGA TOUR and underscores the TOUR’s and EZLinks’ ongoing commitment to growing the game through the production of industry-leading technology and marketing.
“A core mission of the PGA TOUR is to grow the game by leveraging our brand name, media assets and golfer reach to drive participation at every level of the sport,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem. “We believe the creation of EZLinks Golf LLC will have a positive and direct influence on inspiring play at the recreational level. EZLinks has earned a reputation for putting clients first and for providing unparalleled service and support. EZLinks Golf LLC will build on this history and marks an exciting step forward for the TOUR.”
As an owner of the company, the PGA TOUR will be contributing its brand name and marketing assets to support the growth and success of EZLinks Golf LLC and its clients. EZLinks Golf LLC will be managed and operated by the standing EZLinks Golf leadership team led by Chief Executive Officer Gary Cohen.
“We are proud to bring the power of the PGA TOUR brand and massive audience to golf courses across North America,” said Cohen. “EZLinks has a long-standing commitment to being an advocate for golf courses and golfers alike and this investment will fuel our efforts.”
EZLinks Golf connects directly with millions of golfers each year operating the industry’s largest golf reservation center, EZLinks 24, answering more than 3 million calls in 2014, as well as through its online tee time reservation site. The newly branded TeeOff.com by PGA TOUR is already the second largest online reservation site in golf, a position that will be further strengthened by the addition of the PGA TOUR branding and marketing including national TV and radio. TeeOff.com by PGA TOUR will be tightly integrated with the PGA TOUR’s digital platforms, including fixed placement in the navigation on PGATOUR.COM.
“The PGA TOUR brand name and media reach will turbo-charge the growth of TeeOff.com, connecting more golfers to more golf courses, to create a vibrant marketplace,” added Cohen.
Turbo charge!
With more than 18 years of experience, EZLinks Golf is the golf industry’s leading technology provider. Launching its first electronic tee sheet in 1995 to streamline and enhance golf course operations, EZLinks continues to debut new technology to grow the game including its 2015 debut of EZLinks Revolution, a new cloud-based point of sale solution tailored for golf.
EZLinks Golf, LLC, is the technology partner of choice for 8 out of the top 10 management companies and hundreds of municipal, resort and independently owned and operated courses. The PGA TOUR’s public and resort TPC facilities will begin to transition operations to EZLinks Golf 360 technology platform later this year.
Not involved in the operation of TeeOff.com is Secretary Leon "Chip" Greenblatt, who the PGA Tour says will remain a shareholde but will not be part of the TeeOff.com operation.
Greenblatt was described by the Wall Street Journal in less than flattering fashion and also not so kindly by a federal appeals judge, according to the Chicago Tribune.
