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6-Counties Card Launched
Available to Somerset Golf Club members from March 2002 |
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| Introduction |
Somerset Golf Union are pleased to announce the completion of negotiations to launch the SIX Counties card available to members from Somerset affiliated clubs from March 2002
The original concept of clubs agreeing to accept members from other participating clubs on a discounted fee basis has now found support outside the County and
Somerset Golf Union members can now benefit from this arrangement with clubs in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.
In all some 190 clubs have agreed to become part of Somerset's scheme and cards went on sale from Club Secretaries at the end of February
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| How does the Scheme work? |
Cards are available for purchase from Somerset Club Secretaries right now. Each Card details the conditions of use, the restrictions imposed by some clubs and lists of all the Clubs participating in the scheme along with their telephone numbers.
All of these clubs have agreed, with certain restrictions, to accept Card carrying members, for one round of golf at a reduced rate. The rate does vary between clubs but will not normally exceed 50% of their normal daily green fee rate. Some clubs however, particularly in Wiltshire for example, operate a minimum fee rate of ?10.00 irrespective of the clubs usual green fees.
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Cost |
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Cards cost just ?15, so in many cases you can recoup this cost by using the Card just once. |
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How Do You Use the Card? |
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Once you have selected the Club that you wish to visit, check on the card to see if there are any specific restrictions on playing availability for the time or day that you wish to play. If there are none, then simply telephone the number quoted on the card, tell them that you are a County Card holder and explain what you are looking for.
Before visiting any club it is mandatory to phone in advance and check to see whether play is allowed using a County Card on that day. At the time of phoning, for your own peace of mind, you should ask the amount of the green fee payable. Also ask whether there is a booking reference you need to know.
Understandably, as you are being offered discounted rates you may not always get the exact starting time or the day of the week you would wish for, due to commitments at the club that they cannot change. In other words in return for the discount, members are expected to be flexible, and since most clubs operate booking systems these days, once you have agreed your visit with the club you will be assured of your game.
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| Who Benefits? |
In one way or another, all the stakeholders in this scheme benefit: |
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Members |
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Somerset golfers benefit by getting highly discounted green fees and by playing on a number of different courses that they otherwise wouldn't get to play |
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Clubs |
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The benefits for the Clubs are not so obvious but are there in abundance nonetheless.
For the vast majority of Clubs, gone are the days when they can afford to leave their course empty for the better part of the week. Secretaries and Managers are as well aware of the unfilled tee times as they are of the booked rounds. This scheme gives the club an opportunity at relatively short notice to sell those tee times that would otherwise be lost for ever.
Also, in most cases and in our experience, members that go visiting also look for some form of refreshment often before but almost certainly after their game. In this way the club gets a chance to 'sell' other services to the visitors and to impress them sufficiently so that they will go away and tell their friends about the reception they have received. This, hopefully, may lead to more return visits to the host club, but this time maybe at the full price.
Every golfer visiting any club is a potential entrant for the next Open competitions, Charity days, raffles and their 'swindles' and roll ups, and visits under this scheme give clubs an opportunity to advertise their events through direct contact with new customers.
The 'movement' of golfers around the golfing fraternity generated by the County Card Scheme will also improve the communication that exists between clubs and form a useful basis for members to put their handicaps to the test against unfamiliar courses. This can only lead to a greater degree of harmonisation of handicaps and the application of the rules (complex though they may be) across County barriers.
And let's face it have you ever heard a Professional complain about newcomers to his shop? - we all recognise that golfers are impulse buyers when it comes to the 'Alladins' cave that is the Pro shop. Once again an opportunity is created every time the door opens, and the County Card scheme will ensure that it opens more often!
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The County Union |
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The proceeds from the sale of Cards goes directly towards the cost of managing County events, paying for the training that is offered to the stars of the future, and funds the development of the amateur game in Somerset.
Without this income and to maintain the level of services offered at present, the County would be obliged to call for an increased subscription from all members. By supporting this scheme members not only save themselves on their annual subscription to the County but by using the card only once or twice, they will recoup the ?15.00 it cost them to buy it!
The County card scheme does vary from County to County. Somerset is particularly fortunate in being in the centre of the South West Group and therefore the links to all 6 neighbouring Counties is both logical and desirable.
Devon and Cornwall Golf Unions only feature Somerset as their main partners, whereas for the time being newcomers Gloucestershire are grouped with Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset. Surely in a very short space of time theirs too will be extended to cover all six Counties as members realise the benefits that are there and available.
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| Conditions |
Click here for the complete set of Conditions and Restrictions that apply to the Card scheme. Members will also find all this information on their Cards. |
| Remember ... |
... this is a discount or concession card and as such it is only meant for individuals or small groups of players. Cardholders will not be able to use it when on a club away day or when they are playing as part of a Society or other large Group.
... it does not carry an automatic right to play. The host club is the only authority in this respect and this is why it is vital that contact is made before the visit to confirm whether play is permitted on the day the holder wishes to play.
... it is a condition of issue that the holder respects the local rules of the club being visited and this applies as equally to dress rules as anything else. When in doubt ask.
... we only quote the minimum concessions on the cards. It could be that a particular club may agree to more than one visit or waive one of the quoted restrictions - if so then that is their prerogative, not yours the card holder.
So go out now and buy a Somerset County Card from your Club Secretary and enjoy the many and varied clubs at your fingertips throughout the South West.
Don't forget though 'Phone before you go!' |
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