For the league players, the prizes and prize values were increased due to sponsor participation.

In some cases, the sponsor representatives were league players themselves; the digital directory made it MUCH EASIER to connect with sponsor businesses.

Each week, an SMS message was sent to the players with links to scoring/results and current standings. Because it was delivered as a text message, it was far easier to access the information required rather than navigating to a website. It also provided notification that the results were available.

From a sponsor perspective, the digital directory was promoted as part of each week: once announcing the current week’s competition (often an event named for the title sponsor) and again as part of the results SMS. The digital directory provided easy 1-tap engagement to their websites, telephone, email, and social media channels (prior to this, sponsors received recognition via on-course signage, but there wasn’t an easy way for players to engage with them).

New sponsors (and returning sponsors) had an easy and automated way to onboard the business into the sponsor program. This included access to a ‘sponsor package’ document that defined the opportunities available along with participation numbers that helped justify their investment.

For Eaglequest, the new initiatives demonstrated a commitment to innovation and resulted in an improved digital reputation; they were able to leverage the digital directory and SMS messaging to support their social media channels.

Since most of the sponsor businesses were geographically near Eaglequest, it received additional recognition as a community advocate.

The new processes and automations resulted in improved business processes for Eaglequest.

In 2023, the program was extended to the Ladies Leagues, resulting in additional prizes for league players, new sponsors, and additional exposure to more people for existing sponsors.

The Eaglequest Ladies League sees over 400 ladies each week; it is one of the largest (if not the largest) golf course ladies leagues in North America.

Each week, the players Check-in by scanning a QR code (or sending a text message) Ladies League Check-in; this check-in makes them eligible for an incentive draw, so they are motivated to participate.
We have seen over 3500 individual check-ins to date this season; the rate of weekly check-ins has remained consistently strong throughout the season.

When the player submits their check-in, they are directed to the Ladies League Mobile Portal, which provides quick links to League information, prize winners, the sponsor directory, current promotions, and other information such as social media channels that are applicable. They are also queued for an additional text message that is designed to be received near the end of their round; this is used to tell them about features and incentives available to them in the restaurant.

A sponsor information package was developed that described the program features and benefits to prospective sponsors; this document was posted online as a PDF and could be linked in an email or text message.
 A brochure was created that introduced the program and could be handed out or mailed to prospective sponsors.

An SMS/text auto-response was configured so that prospects would receive a link to the program information and application when they texted “SPONSORSHIP” to Eaglequest’s telephone line.
[Auto-responses are available 24/7/365 and require no operator intervention. Responses are based on pre-configured words or phrases.]

An online application was created to capture applicant’s information and links. When a sponsor submits their application, it starts an approval workflow.

The digital sponsor directory presents a searchable list of sponsors. Typically, the current week’s featured sponsor is displayed as the top listing.

When a specific sponsor listing is tapped, a detailed view of the sponsor, along with 1-tap engagement channels (telephone, email, SMS, social media, video, etc.) is presented.

To view a demo, text SPONSOR DEMO to 403-259-2646 or click here. 

Each Friday morning a text broadcast is sent to all the EQ Tour players, announcing the name of the event (i.e. recognition for the event’s sponsor) and a link to the sponsor directory. Sponsor signage is placed on the first tee; the title sponsor’s sign is placed on the Hole-in-One hole.

Early the following week a text broadcast is sent to all the EQ Tour players with links to last week’s results and YTD standings.

The Ladies League Check-in sign is placed on the first tee box, along with sponsor signs.

When the QR is scanned, the ladies submit a simple form that registers them in a weekly prize draw as an incentive, and then directs them to their SMS League Portal.

The SMS Portal is configurable, including options, links, and backgrounds. In fact, it is designed this way so that there is something new regularly; it is dynamic by nature.  Currently we are linking to media that is updated weekly, including Draw Prize Winners, League website, and EQ’s Instagram posts.  This would be a logical place to add a link to Weekly Restaurant Features (see additional ideas later in this document).

A SMS message is sent 1 hour after their tee time (i.e. the delayed message queued based on their tee time); they will be nearing the end of their round, and this is designed to give them a reminder and incentive to come into the restaurant for food and drink.

There is a link to the Sponsor Directory as well, giving the sponsors another bit of exposure.  There is also a link to a feedback form; feedback is important, so the people feel they have a voice that is being heard; it is part of the overall customer/player experience and reflects EQ’s desire for continuous improvement.

A key component of any customer engagement program is measurement and analysis to help determine effectiveness and test the impact of various adjustments. Digital interactions are recorded and are summarized in graphs and reports on SMS/Pro’s administration platform.

By analyzing the data, Eaglequest was able to see that QR check-ins had gained acceptance and that the inclusion of a small incentive played a part in it. In the initial week’s of the program introduction, we were seeing a reluctance to scan the QR code, so a representative was stationed at the first tee to provide a short explanation of how the program worked and it’s purpose. That educational initiative paid off as check-ins increased substantially (and have been consistent).

Eaglequest also determined that the 2 most-used portal options were the Draw Prize Winners link and the League Website link. They could see that some of the portal options were not being utilized to the extent that they expected, specifically the social media channels. The dynamic nature of the portal allows for adjustments and different scenarios to be implemented easily.

For the Mens League, they could see that over half of the participants used the text message links to see the scoring/results, and that it was growing as the season unfolded.

Text messaging works. They could see, by recorded interactions and from feedback from participants, that they were reading the text messages from the club. That’s not to say that everyone participated, but it was clear that it resonated with a large portion of their customers.

Incentives matter. Providing a small incentive seemed to be a driver for acceptance. Interestingly, the incentive didn’t necessarily need to be a discount or a promotion; new information (such as league standings) was an effective incentive to engage.

Dynamic/updated information is important. The most-used information links were related to updated information that people wanted to view. Eaglequest is evaluating how to integrate things like Restaurant Weekly Features that may be attractive to their customers.

Education is beneficial. The use of mobile devices & text messaging is easy but given today’s general skepticism of ‘new’ things in technology, Eaglequest found that a simple verbal explanation alleviated that skepticism and increased acceptance and trust.