TSA’s Three Golf Courses Will Feature Futuristic SmartPlay Technology, Ensuring Contactless and Seamless Experience for Golfers
ORLANDO, Fla. – As golf continues to boom as a safe sport during a global pandemic, Tampa Sports Authority is taking a futuristic look at its golf business and has partnered with NBC Sports Group’s GolfNow to help incorporate new “smart” technologies and services designed to better retain new and existing customers while addressing the demands of the modern golfer.
Now featured within the GolfNow platform, the three TSA-managed golf courses will benefit from the industry’s leading tee-time booking engine technology, as well as inclusion within the world’s largest distribution marketplace.
The new, multi-year partnership is an extension of TSA’s existing relationship with EZLinks Golf – now part of Orlando-based GolfNow – and is highlighted by the adoption of GolfNow’s SmartPlay technology found within its best-selling G1 golf course management platform. SmartPlay runs through the GolfNow app and allows a golfer to search for, book and pay for a tee time in advance; check in and head directly to the first tee; place food and beverage orders prior to or during a round of golf, and get orders delivered anywhere on the golf course. A variety of additional features will be introduced automatically into the technology over time, with no extra work or time required from the golf course operator.
“The Tampa Sports Authority is very excited to build on its partnership with GolfNow, which will allow us to enhance the overall guest experience at our three public golf courses,” said Kennie Sims, Vice President of Golf Operations for TSA. “The SmartPlay technology will allow us to connect with new customers by offering improved reservation methods, advance tee time payments, and contactless check-in. Our existing customers will benefit from SmartPlay’s enhanced options and services designed to improve a golfer’s experience.”
TSA is leveraging a full complement of GolfNow’s industry-leading technology and services in addition to the wide-ranging exposure its golf courses will receive to the millions of golfers who search for and book tee times through GolfNow’s industry-leading tee-time marketplace:
- G1 – GolfNow’s most-advanced business management platform, which can combine all software and operating systems utilized by a golf course facility into one platform. Tee sheet, point-of-sale, social media, employee schedules, inventory, payroll, vendor relations, and more can be controlled from an internet-connected smartphone or tablet – from anywhere, anytime.
- Payments by GolfNow – Allows a golf course operator to seamlessly integrate online, phone and in-person payments with the course’s point-of-sale system. With that full integration, the processing of payments requires only one vendor, accepting every payment any customer makes, no matter when or where.
- GolfNow Answers: white-label service that answers every call – day or night – for a participating golf course, helping it capture at-risk revenue, improve customer service and operate more efficiently.
“The Tampa Sports Authority team should be commended for recognizing that the demands of today’s golfer have changed and putting themselves at the forefront of new technology that will better serve their customers going forward,” said Jerramy Hainline, senior vice president and general manager, GolfNow. “They will be great a great showcase for G1 and we’re excited to see how our SmartPlay technology will help each of their courses create amazing golfer experiences.”
About GolfNow
GolfNow is an innovative technology company that creates seamless ways for golfers and golf courses to better connect. GolfNow operates the largest online tee-time marketplace in the world, offering 3.5 million registered golfers a variety of ways to stay connected to their favorite courses and the ability to easily book tee times online and via mobile devices any time of day. GolfPass members receive special playing perks through GolfNow, including tee time credit and rewards. GolfNow, part of the NBC Sports Group with offices in Orlando, Fla., and Belfast, Northern Ireland, also provides technology, support and marketing services to more than 9,000 golf courses in 24 countries around the world.
About Tampa Sports Authority
The Tampa Sports Authority (TSA) is the manager of Raymond James Stadium, three city golf courses and the Hillsborough County Tournament Sportsplex, as well as the landlord for George Steinbrenner Field and Amalie Arena. The Authority was created May 28, 1965 by Governor Hayden Burns for the purpose of planning, developing and maintaining a comprehensive complex of sports and recreational facilities for the Tampa Bay area.