Buerger, Ron - Golf Academy Program - Operation 36

Property: Eagle Crest Resort

Location: Redmond, OR

Program Contact: Ron Buerger

Contact Phone/Email: 541-923-4653

Name of PD Program: Golf Academy Program

Type of PD Program: Junior Golf, Adult Beginner

Details of Program

Goals: We are trying to reach all areas of golf instruction. This includes Women, Men, and Junior Golfers. Our main goal is to create a structured learning environment that is engaging with measurable results. This includes specific training with curriculum, practice, and on course play.

Program Design: This program is a long term academy approach utilizing the Operation36 format. This will engage students in a structured, 2x a week program with on course play and testing.

• Students meet 2 times a week
• Program contains 6 levels and 12 objectives pertaining to fundamentals of golf. This includes Rules, Nutrition, and History of the Game.
• This program will be 8-32 weeks
• Classes will have a 6:1 student teacher ratio for improved learning, with an end goal of beating 36 (par) from their full appropriate tee box.
• This program tests students in all areas of Putting, Chipping, Pitching, and Full swing.

Tracking Results: Results with the academy are tracked in a couple different ways. Students can track their progress with a Phone app or iPad. They have their own log-in and can post items such as practice or play outside of class. Instructors have an online portal to appropriate objectives and track students' progress throughout the program. This includes attaining badges and performance on course from select yardages. Tracking includes strokes gained, rank ups, and videos for studdy guides of upcoming classes.

We used a Yamaha Grant to help pay for equipment (clubs, balls, training aids), supplies, prizes, social events, and marketing (promotional items).

Results of Program

2017 Our positive impact on business was a huge success. We had 55 students enroll in the program. Year over year 2016-2017 was an increased revenue of $21,000 or 100%. This also moved the needle in F&B and merchandise sales as well. We had 2 new memberships. Lesson revenue to instructors also was up 20- 30%.

2018 Over 90 families enrolled for 2018. 2017-2018 was a revenue increase of $13,000 or 35%. These numbers do not include 9 New Golf Memberships and increased customer spend in Pro Shops and Food & Beverage.

First and foremost in our marketing of the program we utilized our captive audience of home owners and golf members. Holding orientation nights for the program jump-started student sign ups. We created a slideshow presentation and presented it to interested families. Our first 2018 orientation was attended by 57 attendees in which all but 4 people signed up. These students completed at least 1 8-week program. We also held 2 additional orientations in which we created 3 additional programs. Overall conducted 15 8 week programs for 2018 compared to 6 in 2017.

Recommendations

Our recommendation would be to adopt a long term Academy program for your members & customers. We feel that the long term structure is something that engages the golfer especially with the measurable programming we have.

Our implementation of the Operation 36 program has been a phenomenal best practice. Adopting this platform has revitalized our golfing community. By using learn the skill, practice the skill, assess the skill model it has created a practice mentality with our students. They practice with more purpose and with better results. Using specific drills for the skills being worked on has undoubtedly created better golfers. It has also increased our membership sales, merchandise sales and increased rounds.