Charleston Chapter of the National Golf Course Owners Association

The CGCOA has been the primary interface with allied organizations for golf marketing and information distribution to consumers in recent years. Initially starting a local golf marketing organization (CGI) required setting its meetings, agendas, and growing its membership. Financial support has steadily grown. The CGCOA has provided key leadership to the electronic distribution of golf inventory system operators. It played a key role in development of Industry standards for all reservation, point of sale, yield management systems, etc. This means that systems can talk to each other and enables our members to interface more easily with other segments of the travel and golf industries. The local association has also been instrumental in getting the necessary terms and contractual arrangements to provide security of data, and very beneficial financial returns as a result. This has enabled our members to move forward more quickly to an internet based reservation system and to have the benefit of working with other destination groups to negotiate improved functionality and benefits from our suppliers. Served and participated in SCGCOA activities to support local chapter goals including statewide golf course operations issues such as legislative and marketing. As a result of efforts we have gotten more SC State PRT assistance and more input as to the direction of tourism marketing funds. Our executive director attends tourism steering committee meetings in the capitol to facilitate input and serve at the governors and PRT request to represent the golf industry for SC.