Staging 25 tournaments per year with a staff of two is enough of a challenge without sub-par systems. Todd Thompson, Executive Director of the Southeastern Junior Golf Tour, had worked with a vendor to equip the organization with a system that should have made the job easier.
Unfortunately by previously choosing an inexperienced vendor, the logistical challenges of managing and organizing multiple tournaments had been only marginally lessened–and in some areas actually worsened. After scores were entered at the end of each tournament day, the system often duplicated information, generating inaccurate results that had to be double-checked. Staff members spent their evenings in hotel rooms verifying scores and handwriting scorecards for the next day’s play.
Thompson knew there must be a better way. He engaged Objectware to design a software program that would allow his staff to get some sleep at night–and ease the management of simultaneous tournaments and all the details of communicating up-to-date information with 750 members.
Objectware’s online solution allows SJGT to administer all aspects of their business efficiently–from anywhere with a laptop on the golf course if need be. Their membership–which today has grown to 1200–can access up-to-the minute information on tee-times, scores and tournament results, and can maintain their own player profile. Members are also able to register online for membership and tournaments. Thompson hears comments from them regularly about the ease of navigation on the SJGT site compared with other tour sites.
SJGT tournaments–today more than 35 per year–are managed through Objectware’s online solution as well. Staff can now trust the system to accurately and reliably generate scorecards–no more verifying needed. Labor-intensive processes have been eliminated and the software enables administrators to easily create course layouts, generate tee times, assign players, and more.
Logistics are no longer nightmarish and time spent post-event on administration has reduced substantially. Thompson–still with his staff of two–now has time to focus more on growing SJGT membership and tournament offerings. Objectware’s solution has allowed the added convenience and style to SJGT, making their tournaments attractive to players and new members. Thompson credits his technological capabilities with allowing SJGT to attract more members and sponsors.
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About Southeastern Junior Golf Tour:
The Southeastern Junior Golf Tour (SJGT) was founded in 1994 to give junior golfers the opportunity to play competitive golf and build their resume in preparation for a collegiate golf career. The organization has grown by leaps and bounds since then. During its inaugural season, 60 members played at six tournaments around the Southeast. Eleven years later the SJGT has expanded its annual schedule to 39 events and boasts over 1200 members.
In addition to attracting scores of junior golfers over the years, SJGT has also proven to offer an attractive value for corporate sponsors. The contributions made by corporate sponsors enable the SJGT to keep both its membership and tournament prices at reasonable rates. Compared to other junior golf associations and tours, the SJGT is by far the best value in junior golf. This is attributable in part to financial contributors such as Synovus, Nike, Holiday Inn, Cleveland Golf, Ping, AutoTrader.com and Southern Company.
The Southeastern Junior Golf Tour began operations in Atlanta, Georgia in 1994, and is now headquartered in Auburn, Alabama. The Auburn location serves as a great setting that is central to all of our tournament site destinations. The offices are located in downtown Auburn only a half of a block from the famous Toomers Corner just on the edge of the Auburn University campus.
For more information, please visit www.sjgt.com.