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GolfSwitch, an online golf reservations network, has been selected as the official online tee-time partner for the State of Michigan. GolfSwitch will provide online tee-time solutions for Travel Michigan, Michigan Golf Course Owners, and the Michigan Section of the PGA of America.
Michigan is the first state to contract the services of GolfSwitch, a 10-year-old Arizona-based company with a global golf network linking golf and travel properties across the United States and as far away as Europe. GolfSwitch and state officials believe their unique partnership will increase tee time bookings for golf courses while developing profitable relationships between golf courses, resorts, hotels and motels, as well as buyers and sellers of tee times and golf vacations.
"The timing couldn't be better for a partnership between our company and the state of Michigan," said Damian Greco, chief executive officer of GolfSwitch. "Our portfolio of products and services has expanded greatly in the past year. These products will positively impact the state's golf courses now and in the future."
This unique partnership brings together four of the State's largest golf and tourism organizations, beginning with Travel Michigan, which will provide the platform for 12 million visitors annually to access and book online tee-times and golf packages in the State of Michigan. GolfSwitch will develop the online portal and link for visitors to access any of Michigan's 850 plus golf courses and lodging partners for tee-times and golf packages. The GolfSwitch Network allows golfers to book rooms, golf and other activities in real-time, creating their own customized golf package. The GolfSwitch systems will also provide an interactive community environment for tournaments, leagues, event participation and lessons.
"Once implemented, this system will give Michigan golf enthusiasts a one-stop shop for tee-times and golf packages on michigan.org," said George Zimmermann, vice president for Travel Michigan, a business unit of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. "We have some of America's best golf, and now we will have the best way to book tee-times and golf packages including accommodations."
GolfSwitch and Travel Michigan will also partner with three of the state's largest golf and tourism organizations.
The Michigan Golf Course Owners Association (MGCOA), the Michigan Section PGA, and the Michigan Lodging & Tourism Association (MLTA) will provide the ground level golf courses needed to book tee-times online and the MLTA will be providing the lodging partners to book golf packages utilizing the GolfSwitch Vacation Packaging Engine.
GolfSwitch's technology and distribution systems will allow visitors to the Travel Michigan website to research all Michigan golf properties, including MGCOA members or courses with PGA of America members and be able to book tee-times online or build their own golf package through participating lodging properties.
Golfers can conveniently book preferred tee times any day, around-the-clock. The one-network approach to booking tee times eliminates a time-consuming and labor-intensive chore for golf shop and hotel operators.
Kate Moore, executive director of the Michigan Golf Course Owner's said the link with GolfSwitch will set a new standard for the industry to control its product.
"This cooperative venture will set the new standard for control by the industry of its product. The golf courses for the entire State of Michigan will control their own inventory and more importantly their price points dynamically eliminating the need for third party discounters and further helping our courses get back to competing on experience instead of price point."
The program is structured such that revenues derived from the portal site in part will be reinvested in golf marketing campaigns for the State of Michigan and in growth-of-the game initiatives through the MGCOA and Michigan PGA. It is anticipated that the majority of facilities in the State will subscribe to the Network. Please visit www.michigan.org.
