PR and Marketing for the Golf Industry

Courses that tailor their facilities to appeal to women golfers will prosper as a result, according to a new piece of research. Better financial results and quicker pace of play are among the benefits of following best practices for women golfers, according to the study, commissioned by the Little Family Foundation. According to ‘The Right Invitation: 2011 Women’s Golf Longitudinal Research’ there are as many as eight best practices that especially resonate with women golfers, and courses that employ most, if not all, of them are apt to see as much as a 16 per cent increase in play.

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.

24. 3. 2011

From March 21 until 23 Helena represented GCI at European Tour Properties Annual Conference at PGA Catalunya in Spain. Helena was invited to the conference to give presentation to this influential audience about innovative approaches to golf PR and marketing in order to support European Tour´s ambition of establishing European Tour Properties as the world’s premier golf and real estate brand.

8. 3. 2011

I am really sad to note the passing of one of Scotland´s best known golf journalists. The Herald´s Dougie Lowe passed away at the weekend following a devastating illness.

28. 2. 2011

All the snow has finally melted here in Scotland which is the inevitable sign of spring making its way through. Yes, it has got a bit to go yet but the links courses here on the east coast are busy already and leave no doubt about the eagerness of golfers to get out and play.

GCI is very busy preparing PR plans for its clients for 2011 as well as planning on events to attend. The Scottish Golf Show is currently the No. 1 golf event in Scotland and it is entering its sixth year this season. GCI will be attending the event held at S.E.C.C. in Glasgow and look forward to meeting its clients, business partners, colleagues as well as potential new clients.

Here’s to successful 2011! Roll on spring!

1. 12. 2010

EGCOA conference got underway yesterday in London with a multi course owners meeting and its busiest programme is scheduled for today.

I was due to travel to London yesterday morning at 6:25 and I indeed made an effort to do so. Woke up at 3 am and called the airport to learn that my flight was still going ahead. The drive from Dundee to Edinburgh at that time of the night was a nightmare but I made it safely to the check-in desk just five minutes before it closed down.