Press Release

DOWNFIELD SCORES A
FIRST WITH TeeDeal

Dundee’s leading Downfield course, is one of the first clubs in Scotland to sign up with TeeDeal, a new online golf booking service designed to enhance accessibility to the national sport.
The brainchild of Tayside businessman, Olav Skretteberg, TeeDeal is set to revolutionise the way people play golf in Scotland with the country’s first real-time online booking service. Golfers world-wide will be able to review over 500 Scottish courses and book available tee times at special rates.
With a formal launch planned for April this year, TeeDeal is expected to drive new online business for golf clubs which will not only help to maximise take-up of unbooked tee-times for clubs but will also ensure that the golfer enjoys best value golf.
Initially TeeDeal is focusing on the Tayside area before rolling out the service to the rest of Scotland. By this time next year, a comprehensive directory of Scottish courses combined with the best available green fees is expected to attract golfers both at home and abroad.
Explaining the thinking behind TeeDeal, Managing Director, Olav Skretteberg, said: “In the leisure and tourism sectors it’s vital that we meet customer expectations. With online technology continually making things faster and more convenient, driving club bookings through the web is going to become increasingly vital.
"People are becoming more and more accustomed to booking their travel and accommodation online so it makes sense that they can book leisure experiences online too. TeeDeal will make this possible for Scottish Golf and is unique thanks to its real -time bookings and immediate confirmation.
"You literally just click, book and play! We’re delighted to be working with Downfield and other Scottish courses in helping to generate previously untapped online business.”
Downfield is recognised as one of the finest inland course in the United Kingdom. It has hosted many events over its long history including tournaments such as the S.P.G.A. Masters, P.G.A. Scottish Open, Scottish Amateur and British Girls Home Internationals. However it was the honour of being a Final Qualifying venue for the Open Championship at Carnoustie in 1999 and then again in July last year that has put Downfield Golf Club near the top of the tree as a golfing destination.
Downfield Golf Club Manager and Professional, Kenny Hutton said: “We’re very excited about the prospect of using TeeDeal to sell tee times online. An obvious advantage is that people will be able to book a round of golf at Downfield, 24-7.
"TeeDeal is more sophisticated than the golf advertising sites currently available because it offers real-time bookings. This means that, when they receive their immediate confirmation, golfers will feel confident that their tee-time is reserved.
"The icing on the cake for us as a club is that while TeeDeal will attract new business, we continue to enjoy total control over our tee-times as well as the new income generated. It’s a win-win situation.”
A key objective for TeeDeal team is to help promote Scotland as a top tourist destination where visitors can enjoy great golf and as such has been working with various tourism contacts and the East of Scotland Golf Alliance to maximise the potential benefits of TeeDeal.
Graham Hood, Golf Development Manager for East of Scotland Golf Alliance, commented: “TeeDeal should be congratulated for their vision and commitment in developing a much needed service that will suit both the golfer and golf course operator.
"In a world where technology is ever changing, the game of golf remains much the same as the one our forefathers played, but time does not stand still and the need for better customer awareness and utilisation of on line resources can only be of economic benefit to the golf product in the East of Scotland Golf Alliance area.”
Local clubs wishing to find out more can call Business Development Manager, Ann McGillivray, on 01738 448331 or 07944 181921. Alternatively, e-mail ann@teedeal.co.uk or visit the TeeDeal website at www.teedeal.co.uk.
Picture shows
Kenny Hutton (right), Golf Manager and Pro of Downfield Golf Club, with TeeDeal’s Olav Skretteberg and Ann McGillivray.