GAYLORD GOLF MECCA OPENS 2008 SEASON WITH FREE GOLF and New PARTNERSHIPS
Golf destination partners with GolfSwitch and GolfPac
Gaylord Mich., (April 10, 2008) – The Gaylord Golf Mecca, known as America’s Summer Golf Mecca will open the 2008 golf season with FREE golf, and new partnerships to lead the golf co-op group into the 21st century. The Mecca has developed a strategic alliance with online tee-time partner, GolfSwitch and major golf package wholesaler, Golf-PAC. These partnerships will strengthen the Gaylord Area’s presence in the marketplace.
Gaylord Golf Mecca opens the 2008 season with FREE Golf Weekend April 25-27
The 3rd Annual Gaylord Golf Mecca FREE Golf Weekend, originally scheduled for April 18-20, has been extended to April 25-27. Due to the longer then normal winter season, most area courses have pushed back opening dates. Make sure to check with the participating hotels and golf courses for conditions if you have already booked, but also feel free to participate the following weekend April 25-27 as well. This is a celebration of spring and a "thank you" to the many golfers from around the Midwest who have frequented the scenic destination over the past twenty years.
Visitors who book an overnight stay at one of the participating hotels will be able to play a FREE round of golf on one of the participating Gaylord Golf Mecca courses. For a complete list of participating hotels, golf courses and rates please log onto www.freegolfgaylord.com. Golfers simply call one of the participating hotels to book your room and mention you would like to participate in the FREE Golf Weekend. Each hotel guest will receive a golf certificate to upon check in. The certificate is then presented to the golf course in order to get the FREE round of golf.
A close-out Fall FREE golf weekend is also planned for October 17-19.
The Gaylord Golf Mecca partners with GolfSwitch Technology
The Gaylord Golf Mecca continues to strengthen its’ partnership with GolfSwitch, a real-time golf and vacation booking system. This new technology will provide online tee-time and vacation package bookings to the 21 member golf properties and 19 lodging facilities.
GolfSwitch was selected because of their dominance in the golf reservation marketplace and open architecture, allowing golf courses of the Gaylord Golf Mecca to communicate interact and respond to customers and business partners in real time, 24-7 environment. The system has created new, real-time marketing and distribution channels for the golf courses and most importantly, new, more efficient ways for consumers to find and book tee times, anywhere, anytime.
“Our partnership with GolfSwitch will open up many new avenues for increased business opportunities throughout the United States” commented Paul Beachnau, Executive Director of the Gaylord Area Convention and Tourism Bureau. “This fits within our long range plan and will allow us to be a leader among golf destinations”, he added.
The Gaylord Golf Mecca partners with GOLFPAC, the countries leading golf package wholesaler.
The Gaylord Golf Mecca, in addition to its GolfSwitch relationship has also partnered with the countries leading golf package wholesaler company – GOLFPAC. This relationship between GOLFPAC and the Gaylord Golf Mecca is the only northern golf destination for the popular travel wholesaler who handles golf package bookings for many of the countries top golf destinations, located mostly in Southern States.
The Mecca’s partnership with the leading golf packager will provide increased golf packaging opportunities to the area. In addition, the GOLFPAC relationship will create more opportunities to target golfers outside of Michigan, which is a key objective in the future in order to increase rounds to the area.
Two decades ago, a group of innovative golf entrepreneurs in the Gaylord area came together along with a young marketing upstart to form what is now the Gaylord Golf Mecca. Twenty one years later, the group has taken major steps to insure that technology and the golf package business remains an integral part of its over all business model.
The Gaylord Golf Mecca offers something for everyone — high-quality public courses, fine and casual dining, opulent resorts and quaint inns. It’s an experience golfers of all skills and tastes can enjoy. For more information, visit www.gaylordgolfmecca.com or call (800) 345-8621.
Media contacts:
Resort & Golf Marketing
Kevin Frisch, (989) 614-0241, kevin@resortandgolf.com
Dave Richards, (248) 642-6420, dave@resortandgolf.com
