Beyond the First Trip: Creating a Multi-Year Travel Plan
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my 25+ years of helping PGA Professionals plan unforgettable experiences with their members, it’s that the first trip is often just the beginning. Before the final round is even in the books, someone in the group will inevitably ask, “Where to next?” It’s an exciting moment—proof that your members are already eager for more. But here’s the catch: without a plan in place, it’s easy to let that momentum slip away.
Once you’re back home, life and obligations at the club can take over. Before you know it, months have passed, and you may have missed the window to secure tee times at marquee destinations. With many top courses now requiring bookings over a year in advance, staying ahead is more important than ever.
That’s why I often recommend working with us to map out a multi-year travel plan. Not only does this keep your members excited for what’s ahead, but it also ensures you won’t miss out on key opportunities to visit the courses both you and your members are dreaming about.
Why You Need a Multi-Year Travel Plan
- Keeps Momentum Going: When members start asking, “Where to next?” you can confidently answer without hesitation. A well-structured plan makes it easy to maintain excitement and build anticipation for future trips.
- Secures Top Destinations: Places like The Old Course, Muirfield, Royal County Down, and Royal Portrush require booking well over a year in advance. A multi-year plan ensures you don’t miss your brief window of opportunity for these key destinations.
- Accounts for the Calendar: Major tournaments like The Open Championship and events at the host clubs can complicate travel plans. Mapping out multiple years allows us to factor these into the schedule from the start.
- You Can Stay Focused: While you focus on the success of your current trip, we can quietly work behind the scenes to ensure the next one is on track.
Nick Papadakes, PGA with his Onwentsia Club members at Old Head Golf Links.
How We Build a Multi-Year Plan
- Start with Member Feedback: After your first trip, we can gather feedback from your members about what they enjoyed, how the experience could be enhanced, and where they’d like to go next.
- Plan for High-Demand Courses: We’ll identify the marquee destinations that you and your members want to visit and determine the best order to do so based on the booking windows, events, and availability.
- Consider What's Happening at Home: Does your club have a renovation on the calendar? Is a major championship coming to the area that many will want to attend? By planning ahead, we can ensure the ideal timing for your future trips.
- Stay Flexible: A multi-year plan doesn’t mean every detail is set in stone. Instead, it provides a framework that we can adjust as needed based on member preferences or other changes.
Your Role as the Pro
When it comes to club hosted travel, one of your most important jobs is to keep the excitement alive. When members ask, “Where to next?” you’ll have the answer ready to go, complete with a timeline for when plans will be finalized. Meanwhile, we’ll handle the legwork, ensuring your focus stays on the experience for the trip at hand.
A multi-year travel plan is more than just a schedule—it’s a strategy for keeping your members engaged and ensuring the long-term success of your travel program. By partnering with us to map out what’s next, you’ll never have to worry about missing key opportunities. Instead, you’ll be able to rest easy knowing that your club's travel program will have momentum for years to come.
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