MANHATTAN, Kan. - Private Club Network, a reciprocal play network for private country clubs, has signed an agreement with the Meadowbrook Golf-managed ChampionsGate Resort in Champi-onsGate, Fla.
Under the agreement, which is the company’s second foray into the central Florida market, Private Club Network’s more than 30,000 members will receive special pricing at the resort’s two courses as a supplemental benefit to their primary reciprocal private club privileges.
Steve Graves founded Private Club Network in 1999, and formally introduced its service in May 2002. The concept for the network developed out of Creative Golf Marketing, which Graves began in 1990 to help clubs grow their membership levels.
In its 13 years in business, Creative Golf Marketing has helped a number of clubs reverse their declining membership trends. One of those clubs is Riverside Golf and Country Club in Portland, Ore., which was able to realize a major turnaround in a very short time.
“In less than 45 days, we went from 448 members – with over 20 of those on a waiting list awaiting refunds – to full membership at 500,” said Bill Johnson, president of Riverside. “Additionally, we cleared the list awaiting refunds and we now have 13 prospects on a waiting list join. All that during an economy in the state with the nation’s highest unemployment figure.”
In 2002, Creative Golf Marketing generated more than $15 million in initiation fee and dues income for its clients, Graves said.
The industry is also taking notice of Graves’ two companies. At the World Conference on Club Management in February, Private Club Network was recognized as New Product of the Year. Creative Golf Marketing was recognized as Membership Marketing Firm of the Year for the third straight time.
“We couldn’t be more pleased to be recognized with these awards, especially three years in a row,” Graves said. “We feel it validates the services we’re able to deliver to our clients.”
Graves said he hopes to eventually have 250 member clubs in Private Club Network.
“Obviously, the industry continues to weaken and the prominence of my two companies creates a strong demand,” Graves said.
Under the agreement, which is the company’s second foray into the central Florida market, Private Club Network’s more than 30,000 members will receive special pricing at the resort’s two courses as a supplemental benefit to their primary reciprocal private club privileges.
Steve Graves founded Private Club Network in 1999, and formally introduced its service in May 2002. The concept for the network developed out of Creative Golf Marketing, which Graves began in 1990 to help clubs grow their membership levels.
In its 13 years in business, Creative Golf Marketing has helped a number of clubs reverse their declining membership trends. One of those clubs is Riverside Golf and Country Club in Portland, Ore., which was able to realize a major turnaround in a very short time.
“In less than 45 days, we went from 448 members – with over 20 of those on a waiting list awaiting refunds – to full membership at 500,” said Bill Johnson, president of Riverside. “Additionally, we cleared the list awaiting refunds and we now have 13 prospects on a waiting list join. All that during an economy in the state with the nation’s highest unemployment figure.”
In 2002, Creative Golf Marketing generated more than $15 million in initiation fee and dues income for its clients, Graves said.
The industry is also taking notice of Graves’ two companies. At the World Conference on Club Management in February, Private Club Network was recognized as New Product of the Year. Creative Golf Marketing was recognized as Membership Marketing Firm of the Year for the third straight time.
“We couldn’t be more pleased to be recognized with these awards, especially three years in a row,” Graves said. “We feel it validates the services we’re able to deliver to our clients.”
Graves said he hopes to eventually have 250 member clubs in Private Club Network.
“Obviously, the industry continues to weaken and the prominence of my two companies creates a strong demand,” Graves said.
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