Section 5

Player Development ProgramsWork Experience Activities

IntroductionComplete and submit the following Work Experience Activities for your Work Experience Kit. These activities can also be found on the Work Experience Disk that has been provided. Remember that all activities must be completed using the disk or another word processing form. Refer to the following guidelines when completing all activities.

• Use complete sentences to answer all activity questions

• Eliminate all spelling, grammatical, and typographical errors

• Include all appropriate back up materials to substantiate your work

• Make sure all activities are computer generated or in typewritten form

• Make sure all required activities are included in your Work Experience Kit

• Make sure your inventory checklist and sign off sheets are included in your Kit

Activity: Designing and Planninga Player Development Program

Phase 1: Design

The Design ProcessStep 1: Identify needs and possibilitiesStep 2: Develop an ideaStep 3: Develop objectives

Phase 2: Plan

The Planning ProcessStep 1: Create or adopt player development offerings

1a: The audience1b: The appropriate activities1c: The necessary resources

Step 2: Determine how to promote the programStep 3: Prepare a budgetStep 4: Plan the activitiesStep 5: Develop a schedule of activitiesStep 6: Anticipate and handle potential problems

Phase 3: Implement

Implementing Your Programs

Phase 4: Evaluate

Evaluate and Build-on SuccessUse “Play Golf America” for Player Development

Step 1: Register your facility with Play Golf AmericaStep 2: Identify suitable programsStep 3: Post your schedule of eventsStep 4: Market your programsStep 5: Use Play Golf America Administrative ToolsStep 6: Use Play Golf America Evaluation Tools

Phase 1: Design

Step 1: Identify Needs and Possibilities

Directions: It is important to recognize the skills, talents, and knowledge that you possess in order to successfully design and plan Player Development Programs. Answer the following questions to identify your areas of responsibility and the experiences you have acquired.

AnswerWhat is your current job title and what are your key areas ofresponsibility? Include a job description provided by your facility.

DescribeWrite in detail the skills, knowledge, and expertise you haveacquired from the various positions you have held in the business.

Write in detail any past or current experiences you have had withthe following groups:.

Juniors:

Women:

Seniors:

Have you worked with any other special groups such as: physicallychallenged amputees, etc.? If so, describe your experiences.

It is also important to determine what type of facility you currentlywork for, who the facility serves, and what resources are availableto successfully design Player Development Programs. Answer thefollowing questions concerning your facility to help you identifywhat types of programs best suits your members or potentialcustomers.

Answer What is the name and location of the facility where you arecurrently working?

CheckWhat type of facility is it? (Check one)_____private _____semi-private_____public _____municipal_____resort _____military_____other (describe)

Describe

What are the various amenities that are offered at your facility?(Golf, food and beverage, tennis, pool, fitness center, etc.)

Answer What is the current player profile at your facility? Whatpercentage of golfers are men? Women? Juniors (boys and girls)?Seniors (men and women)?

DescribeWhat types of programs (leagues, clinics, interclub matches, newmember introductions, etc.) are currently offered for the followingspecial groups?

Juniors:

Women:

Seniors:

Men:

DiscussIf there are no current programs offered for any of the abovegroups, discuss why there are no programs and if the professionalstaff has any plans to implement any programs or to attract anyadditional participants.

Step 2: Develop an Idea

Directions: After completing the questions to determine what your facility can offer and who might best benefit from a successful player development program, the next step is to meet the needs of a special group you have identified.

Discuss

Write the initial idea, the program description and programobjectives.

Describe

Write the program idea that you have come up with to developplayers at your facility.

Identify

Who is the audience you are trying to attract?

What are the available resources at your facility?

What is the expertise and knowledge of the professional staff?

Discuss

What results would you like to achieve?

Step 3: Develop Program Objectives

Directions:

Describe three to five objectives for your player development program.Be sure that each objective states clearly what the program is intendedto accomplish.

Describe

Objective 1

Objective 2

Objective 3

Objective 4

Objective 5

Phase 2: PlanStep 1a: The Audience

Directions: After determining which audience you are going to try and attract with your player development program, it is important to identify the potential size, needs, interests and concerns of the participants. Answer the following questions to assist you in planning the program.

IdentifyWho is your audience and what is the potential level ofparticipation?

ListWhat special needs did you identify for your particular audience?

IdentifyWhat are the participants' interests and concerns about thegame of golf?

Step 1b: The Appropriate Activities

Directions: The activities you select form the core of the program. Remember that the selected activities must be appropriate for your intended audience. The activities must also be realistic in terms of the available time, facilities, equipment, money, staff, and other resources. Refer to lesson two to help you determine which activities will enhance your program and answer the following questions concerning your intended activities.

List

Will you include golf clinics in your player development program?If yes, list the clinics to be included and the special requirements fordeveloping these clinics. If no, describe your rationale for notincluding clinics.

Describe

Will you include golf schools in your player development program?If yes, describe the content of the training and any additional staffresources you will require. If no, describe your rationale for notincluding golf schools.

Describe

Will you include golf leagues? If yes, describe the format of theleagues and the end result you would like to achieve with theleagues. If no, describe your rationale for not including leagues.

Indicate

Will you include any tournaments and contests in your playerdevelopment program? If yes, indicate the types of tournamentsand contests to be included._____best ball _____chip, pitch, and putt_____long drive _____closest to the flag_____parent child _____mixed foursomes_____bunker shots

Describe

If you have any other tournaments or contests included in yourplayer development program, list and describe them below.If you chose not to include any tournaments or contests in yourprogram, describe your rationale for not including tournamentsor contests.

Describe

Will you include any activities that focus on the Rules of Golf andproper etiquette? If so, describe these activities and the additionalresources you will need to conduct them. If no, describe yourrationale for not including activities focusing on the Rules of Golfand proper etiquette.

Step 1c: The Necessary Resources

Directions

A player development program is only successful if you have accessto the necessary facilities, equipment, staff, and supplies. Be sure to identify all the resources and how long you will need each of them. Answer the questions below to assist you in identifying what resources you are going to need, how you will obtain them, and when they will be available to you.

Facility Requirements

Discuss

What are the various requirements you will need from the facility,how will you obtain them, and when will they be available to youfor your program?

Golf Course:

Practice Range:

Clubhouse:

Practice Putting Green:

Practice Bunkers:

Dining Room:

Other Facility Requirements:

Equipment/Supply Requirements:

Discuss

What equipment requirements will your program need, how willyou obtain them and when will they be available to you for yourprogram?

Golf Clubs:

Practice Balls:

Video Camera:

Learning Aids:

Golf Cars

Prizes:

Scorecards:

Tees:

Other:

Staff and People Requirements

DiscussWhat are the staff requirements your program will need, how youwill obtain them, and when they will be available to you for yourprogram?

Golf Professionals:

Volunteers:

Food and Beverage Personnel:

Course Superintendent:

Other:

Describe

When discussing the requirements for staff, it is important todetermine who will be responsible for what during the program.Describe the various staff members involved in the program andexplain each of their responsibilities

Head Golf Professional:

Assistant Golf Professional(s):

Golf Car Attendants:

Food and Beverage Staff:

Golf Course Staff:

Administrative Staff:

Other:

Step 2: Determine How to Promote the Program

DirectionsFor any program to be successful, the intended audience has to know about it. That is where promotion is used. It is important to determine how you will promote your player development program. Check the methods you will use to promote your program and then describe your plans for carrying out each promotional method. Be sure to include the announcements, flyers, ads, and any other promotional material you will

Check_____letter of introduction _____telephone calls_____newspaper _____invitations_____kick-off day _____radio_____bulletin boards _____television_____newsletters _____media advertising_____flyers _____word of mouth_____ads _____speaker at clubs or associations_____corporate presentation

DescribeWhy do you think the methods you selected will be successful inpromoting your player development program? Describe all of themethods in which you will carry out each promotional area youhave checked off above.

Step 3: Prepare a Budget

Directions:It is important to determine how much money your player development program will require, and to figure out how the program revenue will be generated. In this step you will need to refer to prior steps to determine your estimated costs for the resources you have identified as well as what your promotional plan will cost. Next, you will have to identify every available source of income, entry fees, donations, sponsors, etc. You will then need to compare your expenses to your revenues.

Expense List

List all of your anticipated expenses (labor, lesson fees, gifts,beverages, postage, promotional materials, equipment, etc.)and what you think each of them will cost. Refer to steps2, 3, and 4 to refresh your memory of all expenses.

Expense Item Anticipated Costs

Total Anticipated Expenses: $

Revenue List

List all sources of income and how much you anticipate from each source.

Revenue Item Anticipated Revenue

Total Anticipated Expenses: $

If the total expenses are more than the total revenues, you will eitherneed to find other sources of revenue or find ways of decrease youranticipated expenses

List other possible revenue sources and/or possible ways of decreasing expenses.

Step 4: Plan your Activities

Step 5: Develop a Schedule

Directions:In step 2, you selected the appropriate activities for your player development

program. A

schedule must be organized to indicate the time and place for each activity. It is also important to determine beforehand which staff members are going to be responsible for all of the tasks

involved in successfully running a player development program.

Task List IdentificationIdentify who will be completing each assignment and when each task willbe accomplished.

Staff Volunteers Task Completion Date

List additional staff if necessary.

Refer to the Tournament Operations Manual for additionalinformation on the importance of putting a task list together inorder to ensure that all areas are covered.

Program Schedule List

List all of the activities that will take place during the program. Besure to identify all of the dates and times of each particular activity.

Activities Dates and Times

Add more if necessary.

Step 6: Anticipate and Handle Potential Problems

Directions:

Anticipating possible problems before they occur is a key component to ensure the success of your program. What would you do if the volunteers did not show up or if heavy rain washed out the golf course? Or if attendance was lower than expected? If you are able to plan for anticipated challenges, you will be able to adjust accordingly. In the chart below, identify six possible problems and what your plan is if these problems occur.

Problem Identification

Possible Problems Plan to Resolve Problem

If you can identify more problems, list them as well.

Phase 3: Implement

Directions Implementing the player development programs requires certain items to be in place. How did you gather participant data and track their progress? What policies and systems did you put in place for registering customers? What does a program lesson plan look like? How was your staff trained to handle customer's requests? What ideas are you implementing to keep your students involved after the completion of the program?

DiscussBriefly describe the system used for register students into the program. Explain the type of data you wish to gather from your students and explain how you will track their performance. Include a copy of the registration form used in this process.

ProvideNext, provide a copy of the lesson plans used in preparing to teach Orientations, Group Golf Instruction, and the various instructional Playing Opportunities offered. Also include any special considerations utilized for instructing special populations.

DescribeBriefly describe the staff training implemented for preparing facility personnel to handle customer requests, answer program questions, sign people up for the appropriate program, and assist in updating website information.

ListFinally, list ideas for “next” programs that will keep students involved in their personal progress.

Phase 4: Evaluate

Directions:

Evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of a completed program is a very effective way to determine the success of your program. Did you prepare properly? Did you identify appropriate resources? Did you anticipate expenses accurately? Was the staff utilized effectively? How can you make the next program even more successful? Did you promote your program effectively? Did your revenues cover your expenses?

Discuss

Referring to lesson 2, briefly discuss how you would evaluate your Player Development Program.

Identify

Write at least five methods in which you will evaluate your program.

Who will give you feedback concerning the program?

Discuss How will you utilize the information you have gathered to make improvements for the future?

Use “Play Golf America” for Player Development

Directions: Now that you have designed and planned your Player Development Program, you need to register your program online at www.playgolfamerica.com. Referring to lesson 3, register your facility with Play Golf America, identify suitable programs, post your schedule of events, and market your programs.

Step 1: Register Your Facility with Play Golf America

DescribeList and describe the process for registering your facility withPlay Golf America.

Print the facility page from the consumer website that contains theinformation about your facility such as: name of facility, contactinformation, facility description, and driving directions, and submitit with your Work Experience materials.

Step 2: Identify Suitable Programs

IdentifyIdentify your program offerings that best fit your designed and planned program.

Print the page from the Play Golf America website that indicates your program choices (adult, women, skill improvement, etc.) and submit it with your Work Experience Kit.

Step 3: Post Your Schedule of Events

PostPost your schedule of events that meets your audience's needs and provides for the retention of these players.

Print this page from the Play Golf America website that shows your schedule of events and include it in your Work Experience Kit.

Step 4: Market Your Programs

MarketUsing the “Marketing Templates” resource provided by the website, down load, customize to your facility, print, and include one marketing piece (poster, _ page ad, or tri-fold advertisement) for your program in your Work Experience Kit.

Step 5: Use Play Golf America Administrative Tools

Administrative Tools

DescribeDescribe how you put to use any one of the areas within the Administration Tools link on the Play Golf America website.

Step 6: Use Play Golf America Evaluation Tools

Evaluation

ExplainExplain how the Play Golf America Evaluation Tool is used by the golf professional.