PGA Tour player D.A. Weibring splits his time on the Tour and in the design studio with Weibring-Wolfard Golf Design, and when he’s not doing that he’s running D.A.’s Spring Creek Golf. But somehow that wasn’t enough for him.
So Weibring created a new division at Golf Dallas-based Golf Resources: D.A. Weibring Corporate Golf Outings. The service offers custom-designed golf outings for businesses to entertain and reward employees and clients. The outings can be at Weibring’s practice facility or at any other club in the country.
| Five tips for hosting a successful outing |
1. Customize – Set yourself apart from the crowd and the competition by providing a truly customized day that meets each of your client’s needs. Provide clients with sample menus of elite food and drink choices, unique event add-ons and creative options to make the day truly special. 3. Organize, organize, organize – Provide detailed itineraries, brief staff on day’s agenda and be available for consultation throughout the event. By concentrating on the details, maintaining organization at all times and preparing for many different scenarios, you will be on your way to a successful event. 4. Anticipate client needs – Get to know your clients before they arrive for their golf outing. Understand who they are so you can anticipate their needs. Are there women in the group who would prefer a female golf instructor? Are your guests from out of town? If so, get them bag tags for their golf bags, handle their bags at the hotel, and have a staff of “caddies” for them while on the course or at the facility. By providing this level of personalized customer service, your guests will have a day they won’t soon forget. 5. Favors – Have something for the guests to take with them so they will remember you. At the end of the event if instruction/lessons are involved give them a CD/DVD/Pamphlet of what they learned. This allows clients to refresh their memory when practicing. Outside of instruction, give the customers a memento to remind them of the great time they had at the event. |
The outings consist of activities including professional instruction, course play and golf tournaments. Celebrities can be part of the package, as well as meals and visits with other Tour players including Lee Trevino, Bruce Lietzke, Peter Jacobsen and Don January. For Dallas-area outings, Weibring also works with Adams Golf facility tours to provide custom golf club fittings.
“Through our Corporate Golf Outings, corporations have an exclusive opportunity to spend real time with a seasoned PGA Tour professional and entertaining or rewarding its clients and employees,” said Bill Kirkendall, general partner of Golf Resources. “Not only are D.A.’s golf skills at the highest level, he is renowned for his personable communication skills. It is this combination, paired with our ability to customize per client and our highly qualified team of instructors that makes a D.A. Weibring Corporate Golf Outing a new level of entertainment and reward.”
All activities are tailored to fit the skill level and interests of the group, says Weibring, a 12-time winner on the PGA Tour. The itineraries can be as short as an afternoon, a full day or multiple days. Weibring employs staff members to organize the different aspects of the events.
A troubled economy shouldn’t deter companies from having golf outings, Weibring says.
“The essence of doing business is building relationships,” Weibring says, adding that the outings are “boutique style.”
“We can talk to an individual group and see what they’re looking for,” he says.
The other arm of the business, Weibring-Wolfard Golf Design, is located on the property with the practice facility, and that could be part of the outing experience if that interests the clients, he adds.
Weibring says being on the Tour and working with amateurs and at clinics has given him experience and feedback that will allow him to host memorable outings. A former golf professional, he missed being with amateurs and helping them build their skills.
“More than anything, we want to build an atmosphere of fun,” Weibring says. “It’s important for that customer/employer or employer/employee relationship.”
