Scott Ashworth, the 2008 Aloha PGA Golf Professional of the Year, is the PGA director of golf at Four Seasons Resorts Lanai/Manele Golf Course and the District 11 Director for the PGA of America Board of Directors.
Scott Ashworth on the importance of creating a short course at your practice facility:
We hold an event called the “Mini Manele” every Wednesday from 3:00pm till 5:00pm where we transform our driving range into a short, 6-hole par-3 course with holes that range from 50 to 85 yards. We provide complimentary clubs and a complimentary logo ball to each guest. We wanted to create a fun activity for our Resort guests that anyone could participate in, regardless of skill level while getting them to our facility and onto the “golf course” in a non-intimidating environment. And as an added bonus, it’s a fun activity for couples or families to do together.
Scott Ashworth on the business impact of creating a short course at your practice facility:
The event acts as a great marketing opportunity for the Manele Golf Course, getting Resort guests to the golf course so they can see the course, visit the golf shop, and our beautiful restaurant, VIEWS. We have anywhere from four people to 20+ participate on a weekly basis. The players tend to head to the sports bar afterwards, increasing their time at the resort. It’s also led to incremental sales in the pro shop while also leading to three-to-four lessons per month as a result. But most importantly, it’s the non-tangible effect: that we continue to find ways to grow the game of golf and create fun and creative ways to get golf clubs in the hands of all people. This certainly does that, while putting a whole different spin on our practice range.
