Westfield Greens

Building Customer Relations and Membership Retention

2011-07-06T14:03:00-04:00

Building solid customer relations begins at the grass roots of customer service. A solid customer service program builds your facility's reputation as an establishment above the competition. Make certain all areas of the facility are addressed and trained in quality customer service. Here are four ideas to keep in mind: Once a solid reputation for quality service has been established, word of mouth can spread quickly. We aggressively pursued retail outings to consider our facility for their...

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Risks Associated with Charity Golf Events

2011-06-09T14:42:37-04:00

Charity golf events are pretty common at municipal, daily fee and private golf facilities. These events represent an opportune way to support the community, gain exposure to your course and assist in raising contributions for very worthwhile causes. Of course, they also bring additional revenue for your facility. Hosting charity events, however, can increase liability exposure. Here is a checklist of common circumstances many golf course owners/operators don’t think about when hosting large...

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Conducting Successful Group Golf Lessons

2011-05-31T13:46:00-04:00

Every successful golf operation should have a plan in place for conducting group golf classes. These classes should include plans for novice and advanced players, as well as women-only and junior classes. Pricing Group Lessons For each class, a minimum and maximum number of students in each class should be established and promoted. You will need to calculate how many students are needed to break even for the duration of classes. Pricing Example 1: $50 private lesson hourly rate $90 per student...

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Solidifying Charity Golf Outing Contracts

2011-04-22T14:42:00-04:00

If your club hosts charity golf outings as a revenue generator throughout the summer, there are some important facets of the event to take into consideration so that club and event organizers will walk away satisfied. To avoid confusion and embarrassment after the event, all parties involved in a golf outing should sign a golf outing contract before the outing is booked. The contract spells out the entire event, associated costs for running an event and helps manage expectations for organizers,...

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Getting the Most Return on Your Intern

2011-04-01T17:11:00-04:00

Interns can be one of the best resources for you and your facility. In most cases the interns are eager to learn the business they are about to embark upon. It is an exciting time for them as they begin their journey toward becoming professionals in the field they have chosen for their livelihood. Choose the right fit. There are many colleges and universities offering degrees in Hospitality, Golf Operations, Food and Beverage and Grounds Management. Find a school that offers such programs and...

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Landscape Q&A

2011-03-21T12:26:00-04:00

Mark Jordan, natural resources leader at Westfield Country Club, recently answered questions about caring for your landscaping. Do you have a question for Mark? Post your question in the comments section below! Q. I have a yard full of blue spruce and white pine planted about 8 years ago. Most are growing very well, although the white pine are subject to borers and I've trimmed the tops on several. Two of the blue spruce, located on the northeast side of the house, do poorly compared to the...

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What are secret shoppers revealing at your club?

2011-02-21T14:40:42-05:00

In the following article, "Undercover Boss - How Secret Shopper Programs Can Tell You What Your Members Won't", Westfield's Steve Numbers, corporate services leader at Westfield Insurance, contributed advice and a sample survey to the article. It includes great tips on starting your own secret shopping program and what you can expect to gain from it. Steve manages the customer service training and customer surveys for corporate hospitality operations at Westfield Insurance. via...

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2011 Westfield Group Lawn and Landscape Show

2011-02-21T14:35:49-05:00

Get a taste of spring and information on your lawn, landscape and flowers at the Westfield Lawn and Landscape Show, Wednesday, March 2, 2011 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Smucker Hall at the Westfield Insurance Home Office campus. Talk with lawn and garden retailers/equipment suppliers Learn first-hand about products/services avialable in our area Ask a Westfield landscape/turf expert about landscape managment, lawn managment and lawn mower maintenance. *Please submit your question prior to...

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Winter Tips to Keep Your Golf Game in Shape

2011-02-16T14:39:00-05:00

Unless you live in a warmer climate that allows you to practice your golf game throughout the winter months, it can be difficult to keep your game in shape for spring. Here are some thoughts: Maintain Golf Fitness and Conditioning - Stretching is imperative to maintaining your golf physique. Areas to focus on include the arms, wrists, back, quads and calves. Stretching will aid in your flexibility as well as your endurance. You might also check with your local gym to see if they offer golf...

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Winter Activities on the Golf Course

2011-02-03T13:10:00-05:00

The winter months at most golf facilities in the north are usually quiet ... reserved for clubhouse renovation or maybe even one or two special member events. If your facility is open in the winter months, you may have members eager to get out on the golf course for some fun and recreation. Traditional winter outdoor fun such as sledding and cross country skiing provide a great deal of fun and exercise. If you allow these activities at your facility, provide specific locations on the course and...

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