PR and Marketing for the Golf Industry

According to the Mayan calendar 2012 will see the end of the world. I have to admit that if we allowed ourselves to watch the news every day (especially the economic section of it) we would start believing it. The “mistake” of watching the news has been made once in the morning of January 1 and we indeed learned how bad the upcoming year is going to be. And it was exactly then when we decided to prove the doom and gloomers wrong.

Golf Communications International (GCI) is a relatively young business which was started at the beginning of these tough economic times. Despite that it is still here living and breathing and entering its third year in business. And that is one positive thing to feel happy about. Also, in the two years of its existence GCI has helped number of clients facing difficulties and budget cuts but at the same time wanting to do their best in the area of promotion of their products. GCI has been able to meet their demands in this challenging situation, deliver top class service and press coverage worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.

And how do we look ahead into 2012? Well, not sure if the end of the world is coming or not but certainly not for us. We are entering this year with our chin up and the following resolutions:

- remain positive and optimistic regardless of what they say on the telly
- keep working hard for our existing clients
- fight fiercely for the new business
- turn the challenge to our advantage
- and … keep smiling !

We simply believe that 2012 is going to be a good year. So cheers to that, folks, and we look forward to working with you!

It is two years today that that Golf Communications International (GCI) has been introduced to the busy golf tourism market. Despite the challenging times the golf business has been facing recently GCI has established itself as a trusted industry partner for tourist boards, destinations, hotels, golf courses and resorts around the world looking to promote themselves in a professional, efficient and cost effective manner.

GCI has been able to provide tailor-made solutions for all sorts of clients, great and small, meeting their demanding requirements as well as tight budgets. Based on individual approach to every single product GCI promotes, the agency managed to secure editorial and PR coverage worth tenths of thousands of pounds saving its clients vast amount of resources on advertising.

GCI´s clients have been delighted about the company´s dynamic, energetic and creative attitude and by its ability to quickly react to their needs. Whether it was delivering a strategic approach to social media to engage with their customers, developing business relationships with key golf tour operators or generating media coverage GCI has always been there to provide excellent service to its clients and make a real difference to their business.

Throughout the year GCI has also received fantastic feedback from golf journalists from all over the world who appreciated the high standard of press materials they receive from the agency as well as the speed and diligence with which their enquiries are being handled.

GCI is currently enjoying an extremely busy autumn season working on number of projects for 2012 and preparing for the World Travel Market in London where Helena travels on Sunday, November 6.
GCI would like to take this opportunity to thank all its clients, journalists and industry partners for their business and support and looks forward to making even bigger difference to golf businesses in the years to come.

Less than two weeks remain before the 2011 World Travel Market in London opens its doors to thousands of tourism professionals, journalists and visitors to allow for four days of networking, business meetings, seminars, presentations, workshops and above all showcasing the best of tourism from all over the world.

Helena will be representing Golf Communications International (GCI) at this travel extravaganza. She will attend WTM London from November 7 – 9 meeting existing as well as potential clients and discussing how GCI can help golf resorts build profile, raise awareness and secure adequate attention i.e. business from travelling golfers.

Well it had to happen. After the glorious weather earlier in the week there was bound to be some rain and this morning it came down heavily. Players turned up at the first tee of the Old Course wrapped up from head to toe in waterproofs and so did the spectators. It is quite likely that in any other country the spectators would not show up given the wet conditions and watch the final round of the tournament in the comfort of their living rooms on TV. But not Scots! Being a foreigner myself it never stops amazing me how loyal and enduring the Scottish golf spectators, and particularly those in Fife, are and how they never let the players down.

The sunny weather was replaced by overcast conditions today for the third round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. The temperature dropped down to 14 degrees prompting a few wry remarks in the Media Centre that this is more like it for the Dunhill! The mood was still upbeat amongst the players and celebrities as the lack of wind made good scores likely.

Today was the decision day when the playing field was cut with leaders qualifying to play the final round on the Old Course. It was absolutely fantastic to see Alasdair McDougall, the local youngster from St Andrews Links Junior Association (SALJGA), make the cut with his playing partner Joost Luiten finishing with a team score of 11 under par. Alasdair has been playing well all the three days and even managed a birdie on the legendary 17th hole of the Old Course on Thursday.

Yet another glorious day dawned at St Andrews for the second round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. The Mediterranean conditions continued and brought smiles to the faces of the players, celebrities and spectators alike. There can’t be a better place to play golf than Fife when the weather is like this.

Many of the leading players were at Carnoustie today and the good conditions certainly helped them shoot some low scores. The joint leaders at 12 under par are at the end of the second round were Tommy Fleetwood and Michael Hoey closely followed by Louis Oosthuizen at 11 under. Defending champion Martin Kaymer is keeping close to the leaders just three shots behind. Plenty of players are within five shots of the lead including Graeme McDowell on 10 under par.

On Thursday morning the first round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship started at 9 am at all three courses with players teeing off from the 1st and 10th tee. We could not have wished for better weather. St Andrews, Kingsbarns and Carnoustie were basking in the sun, the sea was looking as calm as a village pond and not even a wee breeze disturbed the scenery. With temperatures sitting around the 20 degree mark it is the kind of weather that makes people (the visitors especially) fall in love with Scotland. The excitement the good weather brought was still very much alive in the media centre this morning. One of the journalists who has been coming to St Andrews for 23 years to cover various tournaments said that he did not remember having weather like this even once. Well, it certainly is a huge improvement compared to last year when we were nearly blown away together with the whole media tent.

The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship is one of the world´s leading golf events. It is a magnet for golfers from every corner of the world and a celebration of links golf, which many believe is the purest form of the game. In 2011 we are celebrating the 11th edition of the event which will be played over three golf courses at St Andrews (Old Course), Kingsbarns and Carnoustie starting with the first round tomorrow.

Only a few hours to go now before the 2011 Walker Cup kick starts on Saturday, September 11 at Royal Aberdeen in Scotland and the excitement is rising. The popular biennial competition will see the most talented amateur golfers from the United States and Great Britain & Ireland contest in the 43rd Match.

The last time the Walker Cup was contested, at Merion Golf Club, Pennsylvania, in 2009, the USA defeated Great Britain and Ireland 16 ½ to 9 ½ – the Americans have now won the last three matches home and away. Notable USA performances came from Rickie Fowler, now professional, and his former Oklahoma State University team-mate, Peter Uihlein, who both took four points from a possible four.