Announcements

In an effort to support golf courses throughout the country during these times of crisis and uncertainty, the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) has opened Accelerate -- its members-only online discussion community -- to ALL golf course owners and operators. Access will be available through May 31, 2020 at no cost or obligation to the facility. Interested owners and operators can sign up for this free access at bit.ly/Join_Accelerate.

“If we can open the lines of communication between more golf course owners and operators, perhaps we can play a part in greater business survival and recovery,” said Jay Karen, NGCOA CEO. “Having one location where course operators can connect, share and learn as proven to be one of the most valuable benefits for our members."

Many courses have closed temporarily or have changed normal operating procedures, while others are still completely open for play. Some owners and operators are left only with the ability to protect and maintain their investment and are trying to prioritize their spring maintenance with a very limited crew. It’s business and staff challenges like these where encouragement and advice from experienced peers provide solace; this online portal has always been useful to members but has become even more of a vital resource for this communication since this pandemic began.

“I love having this Accelerate community in this crazy time!” said Amy Coghill, owner of Silver Lake Golf Club in Orland Park, IL. “I get great info and a sense of 'we're all in this together'."

NGCOA is pleased to announce its latest corporate partner, Perfect Golf Event (PGE), a Signature Group-affiliated company and the leader in providing technical and logistical support for golf event organizers.

Through this relationship, PGE will offer NGCOA members golf tournament software, charity golf tournament planning, golf tournament management, golf outing prizes and events and fundraising tools. The partnership also includes preferred rates and special customer care services; NGCOA members can access this new benefit through the NGCOA Smart Buy Marketplace at ngcoa.org/smartbuy.

“We’re delighted to add Perfect Golf Event as an NGCOA corporate partner,” said Jay Karen, Chief Executive Officer of NGCOA. “Golf events are proven to generate revenue year-round; this partnership with PGE ensures that courses have good tools and service to plan and execute them successfully.”

Perfect Golf Event includes customized individual event websites branded for each golf course, the ability to attract and retain profitable events and outings with repeat business and numerous referrals, increased per-outing revenue and direct Perfect Golf Event staff customer support with outing organizers to create event marketing and a player registration platform.

“Perfect Golf Event looks forward to working with the NGCOA to help create incremental revenue for course owners and make it easier to do so with the creation of new events at their courses,” said Paul Courter, Chief Operating Officer of Perfect Golf Event. “Partnering with the NGCOA will facilitate these relationships and help present multiple opportunities for golf course businesses.”

NGCOA is pleased to announce it has renewed its annual corporate partnership agreement with Rain Bird Corporation, a leading global manufacturer and provider of irrigation products and services.

Through this continued relationship, Rain Bird will continue as the exclusive irrigation provider in the NGCOA Smart Buy Marketplace purchasing program’s Agronomy category. The partnership also includes sponsorship of NGCOA’s annual Golf Business Conference, Multi-Course & Resort Operators Retreat, and new Golf Business RevCon event. Rain Bird will also become one of the founding sponsors of the Top Resort Officer center on NGCOA’s soon-to-be-launched new website.

“NGCOA’s members have been very pleased with the rebates, products and customer service they’ve received from Rain Bird through the NGCOA Smart Buy Marketplace” said Jay Karen, NGCOA’s Chief Executive Officer. “Rain Bird has also supplied our members with irrigation education, which not only benefits their businesses but the industry as a whole. We’re delighted to be able to continue this valuable relationship.”

NGCOA members will continue to receive exclusive rebates on Rain Bird Golf irrigation products. Rain Bird’s Total System Solutions provide complete integration of components, making them easier to manage and more efficient to operate than mix-and-match solutions, resulting in water and labor expense savings.

“Rain Bird is proud to be NGCOA’s corporate partner,” said Stuart Hackwell, Director of Rain Bird’s Golf Division. “Rain Bird is very excited to continue to work with NGCOA golf course owner and operator members. We strongly believe that the innovative Rain Bird product line will meet the needs of member golf course owners and operators while saving water and energy. We support the NGCOA Smart Buy Program and believe the associated benefit will add significant value for NGCOA members.”