NEWS RELEASE FROM SCOTTISH GOLF UNION
Highland links golf club Fortrose and Rosemarkie are celebrating the success
of their recent membership campaign, adding over 70 new recruits to
prove clubs in Scotland can attract new members through effective
marketing in these difficult economic times.
Thanks
to a structured marketing plan, including an Open Evening at the end of
June, Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club have added 75 new members
with further enquiries coming in on a daily basis.
Indeed,
new members have been attracted from as far afield as the United
States, Switzerland and England, with an enquiry only last week coming
in from Canada. Resultantly, the club, a classic Scottish links course
located on the Chanonry Peninsula in the ‘Black Isle’ with breathtaking
views over the Moray Firth, has increased its total membership to 834.
For
a limited period only between June and August, the club waived their
joining fee, allowing golfers to become a member for just £275 for the
remainder of the 2012 season. Country/overseas membership (anyone living
50 miles out with the club) was offered at £175, with junior membership
£30 and social membership £20.
While
budgets remain tight for the vast majority of golf clubs, Fortrose and Rosemarkie agreed to invest funds in an organised campaign.
Distributing glossy flyers in the area via a local supplier and
advertising their Open Evening on the official SGU website and other
online sites, the club spread their net far and wide.
The
Open Evening at Fortrose also allowed potential members the chance to
sample the facilities and experience a warm welcome with a free welcome
drink and complimentary canapés. They could also talk to Committee
members and the Club Secretary to have any questions answered.
Whilst
practice facilities at the club are fantastic with a 300-yard long
practice area, driving bays, practice nets, practice bunkers, short game
practice area (with green) the real ‘gem’ is the course itself.
Situated amid stunning scenery just 15 miles north east of Inverness,
the course was re-designed by the five times Open Champion James Braid
in 1932.
Next
year is the 125th anniversary of the club and such is the popularity of
the course that Fortrose and Rosemarkie will host three national
tournaments next year, including the Loretto Scottish Boys and Girls
Under-14 Championship from the 11 – 12 August.
The
Club also has reciprocal agreements in place for all playing members,
featuring discounts at Royal Dornoch, Brora, Moray, Nairn Dunbar,
Golspie, Tain, Inverness and Forres. This entitles each playing member
to play up to three rounds of golf at these other courses at
considerably reduced rates just by being a member of Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club.
Each
member also receives a membership loyalty card which entitles them to a
10% discount off all products purchased in the bar, shop or for any
catering at the club.
Mike
MacDonald, Club Secretary at Fortrose and Rosemarkie, said: “We’ve
had great success with our membership campaign. The best kind of
advertising is quality.
“With
the uniqueness of the course and setting not really found anywhere
else, in addition to the course condition and facilities on offer we
feel we have that quality in abundance for any new prospective members
wishing to join a links course with year round playability.”
Reflecting
on the membership figures, MacDonald added: “We have now increased the
membership by 75 bringing the total membership to 834. Further
enquiries are coming in to me all the time which is a sure sign the
product we are offering is a good one. We’ve also had new members who
have recently joined from the United States.
“The
reciprocal agreements we have with other courses in the area are
certainly an added bonus for new members so it gives something back to
them too and there is no doubt it’s a big plus for overseas members,
especially.
“We
are such a unique Scottish links golf course and despite the economic
downturn more visitors are coming to visit the course. Being so close to
both Royal Dornoch Golf Club and Castle Stuart Golf Links, we are
certainly worth a visit as we really do offer true value for money and
our popularity and status is growing with the Club hosting three
national tournaments in 2013 in what will be the Club’s 125th
anniversary.
“Thanks to all involved for helping our club prosper through this campaign, including the support from the Scottish Golf Union.”
Ross
Duncan, Marketing and Sponsorship Manager for the Scottish Golf
Union, praised the work being done by the Highlands club. “We are
delighted to see the efforts of Mike and his team at Fortrose and
Rosemarkie being rewarded with a significant increase in membership,”
Duncan said.
“This
highlights that a proactive approach to marketing can help attract new
members and provides a great example to other clubs looking to implement
their own marketing campaigns.
“The
SGU and SLGA continue to support clubs in this area and we invested
increased resource in our national membership awareness marketing
activity this year to highlight the benefits of being a golf club member
to an even wider audience.”
Ed Hodge
PR and Media Executive
Direct Line: 01334 466483
Mobile No: 07850 772166
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Labels: Golf Development