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International E-Fares
(Thursday, 01 May 2008) Written by Jim Keegan




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Best Management Practice - Stanford University
(Saturday, 19 April 2008) Written by Jim Keegan
 

 “ROAD GAME GREENS” SHARPEN
STANFORD GOLF TEAMS’ SKILLS
Siebel Varsity Golf Training Complex Opens

PALO ALTO, Calif., April 15, 2008 … Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course Architects (RTJ II) has teamed with Stanford University to create what is arguably the most innovative practice facility in golf 

Ready to debut this week, the Siebel Varsity Golf Training Complex is crafted on 30 acres of previously undeveloped land adjacent to the Stanford Golf Course. The distinctive quality of the facility lies in its six green complexes, each inspired by a different architectural design style that Stanford plays most often, complete with bunkers, native grasses and sand textures 

The concept was to provide practice conditions that emulate actual conditions that the teams encounter in competition; thus they’ve been dubbed “Road Game Greens.” RTJ II and the Stanford golf coaching staff together chose specific characteristics of six designers: Alister MacKenzie, Pete Dye, A.W. Tillinghast, Tom Fazio, Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and Robert Trent Jones, Jr.  

“We wanted to create a competitive advantage,” said Jay Blasi, the project architect for RTJ II, which has its international headquarters virtually next door in Palo Alto. “The players can practice here what they see around the country, on a facility designed in the spirit of the architects whose courses they play regularly.”  

Hitting areas and putting greens vary not only in style, but in their surfaces, as well. Players can get the feel of hitting and putting on bentgrass, Bermuda grass and fescue. Practice bunkers provide three completely different sand textures – coarse, desert waste-bunker sand; pure white, fluffy sand; and beige, medium-coarse sand.  

Located adjacent to the second fairway of the Stanford Golf Course, the Siebel Varsity Golf Training Complex is laid out in an L-shape, with two 400-yard sections – one 200 yards wide, the other 100 yards wide – that overlap at the turn. With the greens strategically placed around the perimeter of the property, all six complexes can be used at the same time that other players are hitting into adjacent landing areas. Or, players can hit to greens from an enormous variety of approaches. “You are limited only by your imagination,” Blasi said.


(click here for full size image)


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Rewarding Your Best Customers: "UAL Million Miles Rewards"
(Friday, 11 April 2008) Written by Jim Keegan
How does a golf course reward is best customers?  In trying to stimulate the imagination of course managers, we present a second example of how a major corporation in 2008 is focused on customer relationship management:  Airlines. 

Flying a million miles takes a decade, about $300,000 in airline tickets and untold number of nights away from one's family.

The airline industry has changed over the past 20 years.  Remember, the steak, red wine and the ice cream dessert carts on flights from Denver to the East Coast?

While those days are gone, the airlines are absolutely focused on serving their best customers well.

Presented below are the rewards given to UAL upon crossing various mileage thresholds.  Notice that there are no price discounts on future flights.  A lesson that a golf course manager should heed.
What is shown below are the "presents" UAL offered. For crossing 2 million miles, a customer was given the choice of:
1) A custom engraved classic 80gb IPOD.
2) A monogrammed Tumi portfolio case.
3) An engraved business card case from Tiffany's.
4) $200 gift certificate for the selection of premium wines.
Million Miles and Beyond Rewards

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Rewarding a Million Miles and Beyond

If you have flown one million, two million or three million miles, or more, on United, we congratulate you on these incredible milestones. To show how much we appreciate your remarkable loyalty, there are different levels of rewards. We are delighted to offer the following to our very best customers:


One (1) Million Mile Rewards
When you have flown one million lifetime base flight miles on United, United Express or Ted, you are rewarded with some exclusive benefits including:
  • Premier Executive® status for life
  • Two (2) confirmed Regional Upgrades at the end of every year
  •  Three (3) Systemwide Upgrades to use for a one-class, one-way upgrade on United or United Express flights to any destination we fly worldwide, subject to terms and conditions.

Two (2) Million Mile Rewards Effective January 1, 2008
Upon reaching two million United lifetime base flight miles on United, Ted and United Express, you are invited to enjoy these additional rewards: 
  • Complimentary annual membership to the United Red Carpet Club® for life
  • Your choice of an exclusive gift
  • Four (4) Systemwide Upgrades to use for a one-class, one-way upgrade on United or United Express flights to any destination we fly worldwide, subject to terms and conditions.

Three (3) Million Miles and Beyond Rewards Effective January 1, 2008
Once you have flown three million and beyond lifetime base flight miles on United, Ted and United Express, your exceptional loyalty will be rewarded with the following.
  • Personalized status upgrades
  • Your choice of an exclusive gift
  • Four (4) Systemwide Upgrades to use for a one-class, one-way upgrade on United or United Express flights to any destination we fly worldwide, subject to terms and conditions.

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Rewarding Your Best Customers: Marriott

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