Director of Instruction at the birthplace of golf gave guests tips on their swing in a state-of-the-art, full-scale indoor PGA Tour golf simulator

Steve North ‘Tees Off’ Stateside Celebration of Scottish Style

Originally Posted by Katy Cowan in News on Monday 21st November 2011. Tagged with Fashion, Scotland, new york.

World-renowned retailer Brooks Brothers recently ‘teed-off’ an exclusive celebration of Scottish textiles in New York with a little help from Steve North, Director of Instruction at St Andrews Links.

Showcasing the wealth of tartans, cashmere and of course Scotland’s ‘champagne of fabrics’ – Harris Tweed, which is celebrating the centenary of the world-famous Orb trademark – Brooks Brothers opened the doors of its flagship Madison Avenue store to over 500 guests.

“Brooks Brothers has a long standing tradition of offering our customers the finest Scottish textiles,” said Claudio Del Vecchio, Chairman and CEO of the global retailer. “We proudly celebrate generations of collaboration, quality and value.”

Established in 1818 and considered American’s oldest apparel retailer, Brooks Brothers has a long-standing history with Scottish knitwear and fabric mills including Robert Noble, Barrie, Hawick Knitwear, Reid & Taylor, Harris Tweed, Todd & Duncan, Johnstons of Elgin and Begg Scotland – all of which had their products from the new Autumn/Winter collection on show at the event.

“Brooks Brothers is one of more than 200 leading retailers and fashion labels that come to Scotland season after season to develop new textile products and work closely with Scottish mills to enhance their brands,” said Danny Cusick, President, Americas, of Scottish Development International.

As Brooks Brothers is the Official Clothier of St Andrews Links, Steve North, Director of Instruction at the birthplace of golf gave guests tips on their swing in a state-of-the-art, full-scale indoor PGA Tour golf simulator, thought to be the first system of its kind in an apparel retailer environment.

Donald Martin, Chairman of the Harris Tweed Authority was also in attendance to thank Brooks Brothers for being a loyal customer, presenting them with a special Heritage Award. He said: “Harris Tweed has had a fabulous year celebrating 100 years of the Orb trademark, that marks the authenticity of a cloth which is loved the world over. As our centenary draws to a close we are delighted to formally recognise Brooks Brothers, one of our key retail ambassadors, with a special Harris Tweed Centenary Year Heritage Award.

“Over the years Brooks Brothers has been a loyal customer of the ‘cloth from the land’, ensuring it is available to discerning customers season after season. This award is a small token of thanks from everyone in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland for this support, and we hope it will continue for hundreds of years to come.”

More than 500 VIP guests attended the event enjoying a taste of Scotland which of course included ‘a wee dram’ of Macallan.

PGA TOUR Simulator increase revenue for one of many golf courses

Pease GC, polished for profit

By GRETYL MACALASTER
Sunday News Correspondent

Published Nov 20, 2011 at 3:00 am (Updated Nov 19, 2011) 

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Pease Golf Course is attracting more golfers than ever to their 27-hole course at Pease International Tradeport in Portsmouth after building a new $2.3 million clubhouse last year. (COURTESY) Pease Golf Course had a banner year after completing a $2.3 million clubhouse. Until this season, the Pease clubhouse was closed three months out of the year, but now it’s open year-round. Gretyl Macalaster Scott Devito, PGA general manager at Pease Golf Course, demonstrates the new PGA TOUR simulators added during the $2.3 million clubhouse project completed last year. Revenues from simulator rentals doubled expected projections in the first year. gretyl macalaster photos

PORTSMOUTH — Rebuilding the clubhouse at Pease Golf Course last year not only saved the area’s oldest links, but revitalized them.

The previous clubhouse had little to offer golfers after a round and was closed three months of the year.

The $2.3 million clubhouse project completed in April 2010 offers everything the last building lacked, including a year-round restaurant with a full bar and full menu, a self-contained function room, an expanded pro shop and a modern feel.

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Some real world St. Andrews players enjoyed the elements of the St. Andrews Collection on the PGA TOUR Simulators while in NYC.

New York promotes finest Scottish textiles

November 04, 2011 (USA)

Scottish textiles are in the US spotlight this week as New York stores, Brooks Brothers and Saks held special promotions featuring tartans, tweeds and cashmere. The events were organised in collaboration with Scottish Development International and celebrated both stores as leading customers of Scotland's finest textile producers. Saks held an event where its very own Saks Fifth Avenue Tartan was unveiled. Guests also had the chance to meet Edinburgh based tailor Peter Johnston, who has been taken on board to head its custom made programme. Brooks Brothers hosted a ‘Highland Fling’ at its Madison Avenue store where a selection of its autumn collection featuring Harris Tweeds was showcased alongside other Scottish-made products. Donald Martin, Chairman of the Harris Tweed Authority attended the evening in person so he could thank Brooks Brothers for being a loyal customer. He presented Chairman & CEO of Brooks Brothers, Claudio Del Vecchio with a special Harris Tweed Centenary Year Heritage Award. Claudio Del Vecchio said: “Brooks Brothers has a long standing tradition of offering our customers the finest Scottish textiles. We proudly celebrate generations of collaboration, quality and value.” More than 300 VIP guests enjoyed a glass of Scotland’s finest malt whiskies and Steve North, Director of Instruction at St. Andrews Links golf course, was on hand to give guests tips on their swing in a state-of-the-art, full-scale indoor PGA Tour golf simulator. Established in 1818, Brooks Brothers is America's oldest apparel retailer and has a history of working with many Scottish knitwear and fabric mills including: • Robert Noble • Barrie • Hawick Knitwear • Reid & Taylor • Harris Tweed • Todd & Duncan • Johnstons of Elgin • Begg Scotland Danny Cusick, President, Americas, of Scottish Development International said: “Brooks Brothers is one of more than 200 leading retailers and fashion labels that come to Scotland season after season to develop new textile products and work closely with Scottish mills to enhance their brands.”

Scottish Development International http://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/apparel-news/newsdetails.aspx?news_id=104841

Starting an Indoor Golf Center?

 Starting an Indoor Golf Center?
I wish I had all the answers.....

What are the secrets to building a successful indoor golf center?  Will people want to play indoors during the outdoor season?  How will we maximize our indoor season?  These were the key questions that haunted me as I attempted to build my business.  As the owner of an indoor golf center and a partner with numerous indoor golf facilities throughout New York and New England, I have experienced many of the trials and tribulations of the indoor golf center world.  After 8 years we are still doing our best to figure out the best business models. 

What are the secrets to building a successful indoor golf center?   The most important element to a thriving indoor golf center is the golf simulator technology that is pushing it.  When it comes to your core business do not cut corners you want your customer experience to be the best.  Stay away from used golf simulators and inferior technology.  As tempting as the price points may be, in this industry you will get what you pay for and I’ve seen centers founder immediately because of such maneuvers.  When someone walks into your facility for the first time and experiences your golf simulators the last thing you want to hear is” that was fun and I’m sure I’ll be back.”  If you have chosen the right technology you will more likely hear something along the lines of “that was amazing and I need to come back and work on my game or get my group together and start a league.”  The technology you select will make you or break you.  The beautiful thing about golf is that it is one of the most addicting sports and golfers love to talk!  With accurate and stable golf simulators your customers will be back and they will tell their friends, Guaranteed!  The best thing you can do is go out there and test all the major simulator companies.  If you’re not a good golfer, bring someone who is and get their feed back.  There are a lot of smoke and mirrors within this industry that put a haze over how accurate and real the simulators are.  Don’t be fooled.  When you go to play the different systems really play the ball and the environment within the game.  Can you play a push fade, a bump and run and how accurate is the spin of the ball and the short game.  Can you put yourself into trouble, i.e the woods and can you get yourself out of it.  Some systems are a merely 2 dimensions pictures not allowing you to change your aim and play a punch shot from the woods to the fairway.  In the end you want the experience to be as real as it can get.  Are there any simulators that are 100% accurate? Nope!  But you’re going to want to find the closest possible!

Will people want to play indoors during the outdoor season?  This is the toughest question to answer.  With my experiences I have found that it comes down to location and what other amenities are offered to go along with the golf simulators.   I have seen 2 business models successfully prove that indoor golf center are not just for winter play;

       Golf course location.  Having golf simulators at a golf course or a country club will not only increase your winter revenue but will also keep people playing golf when they can’t get outside.  Whether it’s evening play or during in climate weather people will tend to flock to the golf courses during the outdoor season and if the option to play indoors is available when they can’t play outdoors they will choose to do so.  The PGA TOUR Simulators from aboutGolf  are a great way to keep your game in tune when you can’t be outside.  From the accuracy of every shot to the detailed information that is delivered during each post shot analysis your customers will see the benefit in having them at the green grass facilities.  In the summer of 2010 we relocated our flag ship golf center from a strip mall shopping district to a local 9 hole golf course and in doing so we have seen a tremendous increase in the outdoor season simulator play due to our on course location.

      Sports Bar/Restaurant Atmosphere:  Whether it's an over the top sports bar with 25 56" flat screens or a cherry trimmed country club style atmosphere, having another source of revenue on top of the golf simulators will help increase the outdoor season numbers.  Over the past 8 years I have spoken to a lot of eager entrepreneurs looking to get involved with the indoor golf world and the most common piece of advice I have given is "figure out your summers/outdoor season, don't worry about the winter/indoor season." If you have an additional revenue stream such as a bar/restaurant that people will patronize for that reason alone then you have all your bases covers.  In the indoor season your customers will come in to play golf and also eat and have a cocktail or two. During the outdoor season it will be opposite, they will come in to eat and drink and while they are there maybe play nine holes or have a Par-3 or Clostest-To-The-Pin challenge. Either way, there are creative ways with a captive audience to keep them engaged and spending money.

        What are the best ways to maximize your indoor golf season?  Just like any amusement facility or restaurant there are proven formulas that you can use to ensure a positive experience for your customers while maximizing your time and income.  No matter where you are it's a short season so get what you can. Besides the standard indoor practices of golf leagues, clinics, lessons, private parties, corporate functions, memberships and required tee times there are some other practices to help get a little more juice out of the orange.  If you're up for the challenge the one thing I can say is never turn down a tee time no matter what time they want to play.  If your appointment book is filled during business hours and you have a group of 4 that want to come in and play at 5:00 am and you don't open til 8:00, take the reservation. Now you have the opportunity to add more reservations in that time slot with your other simulators. With the instant communication world of mass texting, FaceBook, and Twitter you can send out a blast message or posting that will tell your customers you have availability at 5:00 am on this specific day. You'll be surprised how fast it fills. Obviously an eager staff is needed for such practices but having some sort of incentive program in place will help get the key in the door.

        There is no true text book format to starting and operating an indoor golf center.  If there was, the indoor golf franchises would be available and successful. Hopefully some day soon someone figures it out and gets McGolf off the ground and on every coffee shop corner. For the most part it is a localized business model that needs to be created around what that specific area needs such as a sports bar, restaurant, golf performance/fitness or even renting bikes and selling ice cream in the summer. Regardless of how you operate during the outdoor season and if your area is saturated with golf courses and golfers and you are offering the best experience possible expect to have a very busy indoor season.