Golf Business

GolfProHelp.com Newsletter for May
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GolfProHelp.com Newsletter
http://www.GolfProHelp.com
golfprohelp@gmail.com
Issue 23, May, 2002
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In this issue:

* In The News
* GolfProHelp.com Resources
* Article "The High Cost of Credit Cards"
* Reader Questions
* Calendar
* Current Giveaways
* New/Updated Listings
* Subscribe/Unsubscribe Info

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* In The News
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Nursery Network, The Online Marketplace For The Green Industry Nursery Network is an online marketplace that unites commercial growers of horticulture and floriculture with wholesale purchasers. Currently they have over 1,200 participating wholesale buyers and growers. For more information, http://www.nurserynetwork.com/
From press release

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The nation's largest golf buying alliance, VGM Club, has extended to all The First Tee Chapters complimentary membership and the buying power that comes through association with this 2800-member group. For additional information on VGM Club, its member services and vendors, access the website at http://www.vgmclub.com/.
from The Wire, http://www.golftransactions.com/

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The official debut of WLBA (World Logo Ball Association) at http://www.logoball.org/ is May 1st, 2002 and will provide an environment for logo golf ball collectors to buy, sell and trade logo golf balls as well as learn more about the hobby.
from press release

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Starting May 15, Delta, the "official airline of the PGA Tour," will only accept golf clubs in either hard-shell cases or in a Club Glove travel bag. Passengers who bring
their golf clubs in soft-cover bags will be required to put the bag in a "Delta golf box"
at check-in, with a $10 charge applied per box.
From Golf World Business, http://www.golfworldbusiness.com/

--The American Singles Golf Association (ASGA) are starting a Cleveland Chapter. The ASGA started in Charlotte and has chapters across the country. For more information, please visit http://www.singlesgolf.com/

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* GolfProHelp.com Resources
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How to advertise in the newsletter and on the site:
http://www.golfprohelp.com/advertise.asp

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Archive of GolfProHelp.com Newsletters:
http://www.golfprohelp.com/Archive/index.asp

Up to the minute golf news:
http://www.golfprohelp.com/news.asp

Add your golf-related business to our directory:
http://www.golfprohelp.com/addlink.asp

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* Article "The High Cost of Credit Cards"
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High Cost of Credit Cards

Recent increases in rates by VISA/MC have made these costs even more noticeable. When all fees are considered, every golf course is paying over 2%, with most courses actually getting closer to 2.5%. And that does not count the higher rate for AMEX.

With credit card purchases averaging 40% of revenues (60% at higher rate upscale
facilities), this cost is becoming a major expense.

What can be done to reduce costs?

1. Install a Pin Pad and accept Debit Cards. Most courses are accepting Debit Cards, but as credit card transactions. Adding the Pin Pad will reduce the costs -
typically to a flat fee of $0.35. On a $50 transaction, this will save about 65%.

2. Use Stored Value Gift Cards - Put multiple round packages on customized Gift Cards. Redemption is about $0.30 per transaction. If you sell a 10 round package @ $40/round, the redemption cost would be $3.00 vs. $8.00 for the credit card processing.

3. Encourage the use of Checks - I know this may sound crazy, but look at your bad check losses vs. your credit card fees.

Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)

There are a lot of new innovations in EFT. New regulations regarding the deposit and truncation of personal checks took effect on March 15, 2002. Some of the highlights are:

1. Checks can be deposited by EFT, with the image of the check stored. No more
listing each check for deposit and a simple statement reconciles your deposit. Notification of NSF problems is also accelerated.

2. Season Pass, Membership and Round Package purchases can be put on multiple installments with deductions from the golfer's checking, savings or money market accounts.

3. Merchandise purchases for major items such as Clubs can also be handled this way.

4. Customers can pay outing deposits or any invoice via EFT.

The cost of these innovative new systems is actually very reasonable and will add to both operating efficiency and customer service options.

Be careful about EFT Options, however. Some "check guarantee" EFT programs can be as expensive as credit card processing. Again, you should look at your NSF check losses before deciding to take on a "check guarantee" program.

If you would like to find out more about these concepts, please contact Stuart Lindsay @ Edgehill Consulting Group, Inc. (262)241-7088 or visit http://www.edgehillgolfadvisors.com.

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* Reader Questions
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I'm trying to find the spec's on growth regulators Primo and Proxy. These, I think are older chemicals that can be used to control bent grass fairways and help increase root growth plus reduce clippings. Please send the proper info plus recommended usage, etc.
Please reply to: mgcgolfshop@dtgnet.com

What is the recommended cutting height of Bermuda grass greens in the Texas Hill country?
Please reply to: billywg@ctesc.net

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* Calendar
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May 12-16, 2002
International Network of Golf(ING) Spring Conference
Mid Pines Resort, Pinehurst/Southern Pines, N.C.
Web: http://www.inggolf.com/

May 13, 2002
Score Golf Magazine Awards, Golf Tournament and Dinner
Rattlesnake Point Golf Course, Milton, ON
Phone: (416) 928-2909

May 13 - 15, 2002
American Water Resources Association's 2002 Spring Specialty Conference
Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, New Orleans, Louisiana
Phone: (540) 687-8390
Email: info@awra.org

May 21-23, 2002
Irrigation Australia 2002
Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Sydney, Australia
Phone: 011.61.29.746.0531

June 26-28, 2002
2002 China International Golf Trade Fair
Beijing, china
Telephone: Int +44 (0) 1268 711560

If you have an event that you'd like added to the calendar, please
complete the form at http://www.golfprohelp.com/event_form.asp

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* Current Giveaways
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This month we have 5 giveaway items:

Toucan Golf
http://www.toucangolf.com/
Three (3) leather bag tags, laser engraved with the winners name.

The Green Saver
http://greensaverinc.com/
Two (2) ball mark repair tools that attach to the grip end of your putter. You no longer need to bend over to repair ball marks ever again. And what makes the Green Saver special is that you can repair a ball mark only one way; the correct way, as recommended by the GCSAA.

These items can be viewed online at:
http://www.golfprohelp.com/giveaway.asp

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* New/Updated Listings
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Triple S Products LLC
847.342.0638
http://www.clublabels.com/
The Club ID Bracelet, the finest club identification product on the market. It is the last golf club identification product you'll ever buy!

Athena Golf
408.528.1757
http://www.athena-golf.com/
Fashion forward women's golf apparel

If you have a site that is related to golf, and that would be beneficial to golf professionals or course superintendents, please complete the form at http://www.golfprohelp.com/addlink.asp

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