Page 54 - GBC winter 2015

Poker ChiP Program Brent Kelaher Blue Devil Golf Club Calgary, AB
1st Place Idea
Delegates of the 2014 Golf Business Canada Conference & Trade Show were challenged to find their course’s Missing Link at The Missing Link Idea Session Game Show. Armed with their best ideas from this past season, each group of delegates chose their best idea and presented it on stage to the panel of “esteemed” judges.
Presented by Kubota Canada, the Missing Link Idea Session is one of the most highly regarded and beneficial components of the annual Golf Business Canada Conference & Trade Show.
The 1st place winner was given an opportunity to choose the Kubota tractor, mower or utility vehicle of their choice. The selected Kubota vehicle will be delivered to the winning club, and will be theirs for one full season. Kubota also provided the top four winners with generous gift baskets.
Christian Roy, Regional Sales Manager,
Kubota Canada Ltd.
James Cronk, Host of the Missing Link Idea Session
Golf is fun! We sometimes forget how much fun it truly is as we try to make golf profitable. In trying to find the balance between fun and business we created the Poker Chip Program. This program fostered a fun and interactive environment between our staff and golfers.
We provided our staff with poker chips labeled with ‘shot of the day’, ‘birdie’, ‘eagle’, ‘personal best’ or ‘sand save’. When a staff member witnessed, overheard, or engaged a guest about their round of golf and a poker chip moment was highlighted, it allowed our staff and guest a touch point moment where the guest would receive a commemorative poker chip.
There are a few different ways the poker chip can be used. If the guest purchased a draft beer they can exchange their chip for a free pint glass to take home. The poker chip could also be turned in at our year-end ‘Fun Money Casino’ night to receive an extra stack of fun money. Some golfers used it as a ball marker, drilled holes in them for their key chains, or tried to collect all five chips within the season.
The Poker Chip Program reminded us all that golf is fun and helped us create touch point moments that fostered a positive culture between our staff and guests. In addition, the Poker Chip Program provided business opportunities in our Food & Beverage department through the free pint glass giveaway and our year-end Fun Money Casino night.
Golf Business Canada
54 Golf Business Canada