Club Car, which for the past several years has been introducing employees to golf through an innovative grassroots program, now wants to encourage other golf companies to follow its lead. To help them get started, the golf car and utility vehicle manufacturer has developed a brochure and DVD that companies can use to launch their own grow-the-game programs.
“Companies that depend on golf for their success should be involved in promoting the game,” says Phil Tralies, chairman and c.e.o. of the Augusta, Ga.-based company. “If we can get employees at organizations throughout our industry coming to the course and bringing their families and friends, we’ll have a positive effect on participation, we’ll support our customers and we’ll be creating the game’s next generation of ambassadors.”
Club Car’s “Let’s Go Golfing” program, which provides free lessons to employees at The First Tee of Augusta, has introduced more than 200 new players to the game since its inception in 2004.
“We hope more of our associates and their families not only learn the game, but learn to love the game,” Tralies says, adding that the program is a way to support and complement the efforts of golf’s allied organizations to increase participation at the national level.
To keep employees involved in the game after they’ve completed their lesson series, Club Car has added a league component and invited family members and friends to join in. League play is conducted at Jones Creek GC in nearby Evans, Ga.
Club Car’s do-it-yourself kit, which is being offered to golf companies free of charge, includes:
- A video that shows Club Car employees and managers talking about the program and participating in lessons.
- A “getting started” guide that outlines the basic steps in implementing an employee golf program.
- A PowerPoint version of the “getting started” guide designed to help communicate the program to managers and employees.
- Media coverage of the program and its benefits.
- A list of contacts who can provide additional information.