GRAA Special Initiatives: Bring Your Kids to the Golf Range

Play Golf America is a nationwide golf-marketing program led by the PGA of America that represents the culmination of industry efforts set into motion by the first GOLF 20/20 conference. Launched in 2004, the campaign has focused on a target audience of new and occasional golfers—a combined group of 31 million individuals—in an effort to increase play.

The PGA of America, PGA TOUR, LPGA TOUR and USGA pooled a portion of their advertising inventory to run over 500 television spots. Advertising also appeared in relevant publications, and public relations in key markets promoted the program.

All promotions have sought to drive the target audience to playgolfamerica.com, which connects players in various market segments to a variety of programs designed to foster player development and encourage participation in the sport.

Among the many Play Golf America initiatives featured on the site are Play Golf America Days, Free Lesson Month, Take Your Daughter to the Course and Women’s Golf Week and the new Bring Your Kids to the Golf Range Month.

The Golf Range Association of America / Golf Range Magazine and Golf Digest Publications have teamed up on a national grass-roots golf promotion called "Bring Your Kids to the Golf Range". BYK has been added under the Play Golf America umbrella of events as part of July 2007’s "Family Golf Month". With marketing dollars, national advertising, equipment and family travel prize drawings, this first of a kind national grass-roots golf range promotion is sure to help increase your business and your bottom line.

We want to bring families out to experience the fun of not only hitting golf balls but also maybe also learning about the game through golf lessons or even purchasing equipment. To make this easier, Golf Ranges and golf courses across the country will be participating in the Bring Your Kids to the Golf Range pilot promotion.

The cost to golfers will be $20 ($15 retained by each golf facility and $5 remitted back to Golf Digest). Each golfer/family will receive the following from participating BYK golf facilities:

• 2 tokens/buckets of range balls (size/quantity determined by each participating facility)
• A Subscription to either Golf Digest or Golf for Women
• A chance to be entered into a facility drawing to win fabulous prizes from Dunlop Golf including up to 250 Loco boys and girls clubs as well as adult Super Loco drivers.
• A "family golf equipment prize" from Dunlop Golf to equip the entire family (family of four) with sets of golf equipment
• A Grand Prize drawing for a 3-night/2 day Family Golf Vacation package for four people to Wild Dunes in Charleston, South Carolina. The package includes: 2 rounds for the entire family on the Harbor Course and the Links Course both designed by Tom Fazio; dinner at the Sea Island Grill; and a family golf video analysis lesson.

Benefits to Golf Range & Golf Facility Owners:

• Will receive a full marketing package consisting of a Bring Your Kids to the Golf Range poster and logo’d counter card; downloadable print quality advertising templates and logos to assist with local media advertising opportunities.
• Will see ads run in Golf Digest Magazine, circulation of nearly 1.6 million to drive traffic to participating facilities! Program to be listed on Conde Nast magazine websites/multi-channel promotion by Golf Digest Publications.
• Will see the inclusion of the Bring Your Kids to the Golf Range as part of Play Golf America’s Family Golf Month. Website support to drive consumers to participating facilities.
• May sign up directly through the Play Golf America site www.playgolfamerica.com (look for Family Golf Month or Bring Your Kids to the Golf Range on the home page) or through the Golf Range Association of America’s website at www.golfrange.org
• Will see a national press release from Golf Digest in mid-June for consumer golfers; a national trade press release will be done in early June by the Golf Range Association of America (GRAA).

"YES! I WANT TO REGISTER MY FACILITY FOR BRING YOUR KIDS TO THE GOLF RANGE MONTH"

E-mail Steve diCostanzo at the Golf Range Association of America (GRAA) or contact Steve in Connecticut at (203) 938-2720.