MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL -- Minnesota golf veteran RJ Smiley has launched KidsPlayGolfFree.com, a new web site directory enabling parents and children to locate golf courses that offer programs allowing kids to play golf free with a paying adult, making golfing together much more affordable.
“I want to see parents and their children form a new connecting point through the great game of golf, just as I did with my father, and my son did with me,” says Smiley, who has enjoyed a varied career in golf and business. Smiley, a former state senior amateur golf champ and college All-American added, “I also want to grow the game of golf and see golf course owners prosper. Our game is at a critical point – too much capacity and a stagnant number of players. Just as concerning is the fact that an inadequate number of new players are being introduced to the game. Our web site addresses all of that.”
At its heart, KidsPlayGolfFree.com is Google-powered map directory of golf courses in North America that offer a kids-play-free program. By mousing over a particular course on the map, the parent or child can learn the details of each course’s kids-play-free offering. The information on the site is controlled by each course owner. Owners may add their course to the directory, delete their course from the directory or change information on the directory. The directory will have a link to the website of each course in the directory. If a course has no website, a simple webpage will be created for that course. Each time a course owner adds his course to the directory, a news release will be sent to the newspapers and radio stations selected by that operator.
“Many savvy golf course operators have already figured out that offering kids-play-free programs to sell tee times in off-peak periods has increased weekly revenue by up to $2000 a week,” says Smiley. “That is, they can create new players -- and make more money -- by using their unused inventory of tee times. But no one has yet found a way to create synergy by helping operators build their own self-managed kids-play-free programs, and market these incredible opportunities directly to the public. That’s what we’ve done.”
“It’s a great idea,” says Tom Ryan, Executive Director of the Minnesota Golf Association (MGA). “The MGA is a solid supporter of providing opportunities for parents to enjoy golf with their children, and this is also a great way for course operators to increase revenues while building new players. It’s a win-win for everyone who loves this game.”
There are currently 87 courses identified on the site (16 in Minnesota), and more are being added each day.
"Golf is unique in that you're able to actually conduct a conversation with your child while you are enjoying the game. I know that when I played with Tim and Alissa when they were younger - and when I played with my dad - we talked about a lot more than just golf. Golf taught Tim and Alissa integrity, honesty, discipline, and the ability to communicate with people from all walks of life. Needless to say, golf has been good for all the Herron family."
“We’re passionate about this and won’t rest until we accomplish our goals,” added Smiley. “Golf is one of very few sports where a boy or girl can actually have a meaningful conversation with his mother or father and develop a playing relationship that can last 40 or 50 years. I teed it up with my son when he was seven, and with my father when he was 83. How can you beat that kind of experience?”
Jon Tillotte, executive Director of the Minnesota Section of the PGA says, "kidsplayfree.com will be a great resource for both families and golf facilities to help create more golfers and fill unused tee times at clubs."
Contact:
R. J. Smiley
rj@kidsplaygolffree.com
About KidsPlayGolfFree.com
KidsPlayGolfFree.com is a Google-powered map directory of golf courses in North America that offer a kids-play-free program. The idea of allowing kids to play golf free during times that are not normally in high demand has been gaining popularity at golf courses across the country. “The future of the growth of golf in America lies at the grass roots level, and the Kids Play Free program offers one of the best pathways”, said PGA Honorary President, M. G. Orender. Owners and professionals at participating courses believe that Kids Play Golf Free Programs will:
• Strengthen the relationship between kids and parents and grandparents.
• Bring inactive golfers back to the game, playing with their kids and grandkids.
• Welcome new junior players to the game.
• Promote more frequent play.
• Strengthen the connection with those who already play.
KidsPlayGolfFree.com
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About RJ Smiley, Executive Director
RJ Smiley has enjoyed a varied and successful career in golf and business including owning and operating Mille Lacs Golf Resort. He’s also a top-flight amateur golfer; among his trophies is the championship of the Minnesota Senior Amateur in 1998. He hails originally from Hays, Kansas, and graduated from Fort Hays Kansas State University with a BS degree in Business Administration; he was also an All-American golfer, a member of the basketball team and is in the sports Hall-of-fame. Before entering the golf business full-time, he embarked on a broad business career that included life insurance, real estate development and brokerage, securities wholesaling, golf course development, management and marketing. RJ continues to be an active competitor in state and national senior amateur tournaments and was selected a team member for the United States team for the 2002 Trans Atlantic Challenge Cup Matches (an annual team competition against a team from the British Isles). RJ is currently a member of the Golf Digest Course Ranking Panel and is a member of the Minnesota Golf Association Strategic Planning Committee.
