Ray - Meetup Organizer of the Week - 3.31.08

Lets get into the 'swing' with the Meetup Organizer of the Week for March 31, 2008, Ray and The Lower Mainland Golfers Meetup.

Spring is in the air and for many this means one thing: Golf! The links beckon...and Ray is right there with the action.

Ray takes his role as Meetup Organizer seriously. After taking over an abandoned Golf Meetup in Vancouver, he's rallied an impressive and active group of novice and experienced golfers. The Lower Mainland Golfers Meetup Group was the subject of a recent article in the Chilliwack Times.

He is a true host who always has the best interests of his members at heart. I especially like the 'wristband' identification system he's initiated. Ray's dedication to the enjoyment of his members is commendable as well as inspirational.

When did your interest in the game of golf begin?

When I was 17 my friends and I started playing pitch and putt golf courses and graduated to the big courses within a few years

What was the impetus behind the origin of the Lower Mainland Golf
Meetup group?

I joined this golf Meetup group in February 2007 when it was called the Vancouver Golfers Meetup Group.

The Organizer at that time held his Meetups on Thursday nights at 8pm in his downtown apartment. As you can imagine, no one showed up to his Meetups and he dropped out as organizer a few months later. I was intrigued and excited about this Meetup concept so I stepped up as Organizer.

I have a passion for the game and wanted to promote the game to new golfers. I purchased training aids for our group to help golfers improve their game. I also purchased handicapping software so we could have an even playing field and have fair competitions for all participants. As you would expect, every one of my Meetups are held on a golf course or driving range.

What are a few of the key elements to your success as a Meetup Organizer?

I feel my job as organizer is to ensure everyone is happy and having a good time. If we are holding a golf clinic then I make sure everyone has received their fair share of instruction. There are always a couple of wallflowers that are shy and won't speak up, so I do it for them.

Plus, I feel it necessary to be at the clubhouse to greet the first group in to keep the group dynamic in sync. I also want to take pictures during the event to promote this group further.

Tell us about BCGolfPages and the role it plays in support of the Meetup group.

BCGolfPages is an online golf directory that I created and launched in February 2007.

There wasn't an easy way to find out which golf courses offered leagues, tournaments or specials etc. You had to visit 10 different web sites or subscribe to 10 different newsletters and I wanted to provide an easier way for golfers to obtain this information.

I give the golf courses two payment options; $25.00 per month or 1 weekday foursome per month of their membership. So far, every golf course has opted to give me foursomes instead of cash. I give these foursomes away at the end of each month on BCGolfPages in an effort to promote word of mouth advertising. This month I am giving away 18 foursomes and next month I have 25 foursomes to award as prizes.

Winners only have 72 hours to claim their prize; any unclaimed foursomes are used as prizes at our golf Meetups. I always pull one foursome out of the pool for each Meetup or clinic as prize just in case all foursome are claimed by the winners.

I also post any coupons that appear on BCGolfPages on the Meetup message board to help save our Meetup members a few bucks off their next round.

Which events are most popular with your members?

The golf clinics are the most popular and sell out very quickly.

Unfortunately I can only fit 20-30 people at these clinics due to instructor/student ratios. I suspect that the majority of members in my group are novice golfers and feel intimidated by the more accomplished players and full sized golf courses.

These golf clinics are taught by certified CPGA instructors and provide a solid foundation for those that are new to the game. They also help the seasoned golfer by providing the one or two pointers that may correct any swing flaws.

Speaking of events, yours are extremely well-attended. Is it
difficult to manage the larger groups?

It's funny; I don't think the events are extremely well attended. I have almost 250 members and still only have just 10-15% of the members actually attending.

I am hoping to draw 60-80 or 100 people to these golf Meetups. Hopefully I can achieve a higher turn out once the weather turns and the golf season is in full swing.

As for managing the larger groups, I do not find it that difficult. I come prepared with a roster sheet complete with names and assigned tee-times. I mark the people off this list as they arrive and hand them a draw ticket for prizes and wristband to wear. The wristband provides proof of payment to the golf course and also lets everyone know who at this golf event is in our group.

The wristband makes a good ice-breaker to introduce yourself to other members and I think people prefer it to wearing a name tag.

If you could offer three suggestions a new Organizer to help them plan successful events, what would they be?

Plan and post several event/Meetups well in advance so members can plan for and attend the event.

Be sure to meet and thank each person that attends the event. Show them your appreciation and make them feel special. Let them know that without active and participating members like themselves that this Meetup group would not exist.

Take pictures at each event and post them in the Photos section on the Meetup website to entice other people to join your group.

Do not close your Meetup group for members only, let everyone see what you are doing and how much fun you are having.

Do you have any big plans in the works for 2008?
I am working on securing an 18-hole putting course for our July or August Meetup. This is a par 72 putting course that will be ours exclusively for the entire day. It comes complete with a large tent and barbeque.

I think this event will be well attended because it allows the non-golfers to attend and participate, plus I believe most in this group joined for the social aspects rather than competitive golfing.

It's a tall order! The guy wants 2000 dollars for one day rental and if I am to host a BBQ then I will need a few helpers. It looks fantastic though, Poppy Estate

Last but not least, what's your current handicap?

Currently 11 but I am working on lowering it.

Be sure to share your congrats with Ray in the Organizer's Forum