“I guarantee in five minutes you’ll be sweating,” Diehl said, chuckling from personal experience. “Think of us as a health club for golfers. We can help you enjoy the game and not fight it.” Another Parmasters feature is the 2,500square-foot putting and chipping green. “Putting and chipping tend to be the most overlooked aspects of the golf game. This feature gives a golfer plenty of space to practice,” Diehl explained. Parmasters also offers ball fitting technology, allowing the golfer to see exactly what type of golf ball is most appropriate for his or her swing.
Recruiting Strategies
The owners acknowledge that to grow the game, Parmasters has to find ways to draw new people into the sport. Among their strategies: • Meeting place-Hi-tech meeting rooms are available for business meetings, a café serves healthy snacks and a familyfriendly room is dedicated to birthday parties and celebrations. • Strategic philanthropy-The golf center
Golf in Hamilton County Five years ago Indiana was opening golf courses as rapidly as the most popular golfing states like California, Florida and Arizona. “Many courses were built as part of housing developments to improve the appeal of the homes. However, that didn’t necessarily bring any more popularity to the sport locally.” Sam Foley, director and part owner of Parmasters Golf. Today, there are approximately 430 golf facilities in Indiana and 20 in Hamilton County, matching the national average. Despite a national reduction of 40 to 50 percent fewer rounds of golf being played annually, across Indiana and within Hamilton County the game of golf continues to experience steady growth, according to Mike David, executive director, Indiana Golf Association. “This is a good time to play golf because supply outweighs demand, and many courses offer discounts to play,” explained David.
will donate a dollar from every paid golf lesson to Right to Play, an athlete-driven international humanitarian organization. On the local level, Parmasters plans to reach out to community causes, such as Riverview Hospital Foundation and Simon Youth Foundation. • Flexible scheduling and membership-A month-to-month commitment with no annual fees or contracts, and affordable rates. Parmasters also offers companies an incentive for employees to get together
to practice golf. “For instance, if your organization partners with Parmasters, donors and supporters will receive 10 percent off new memberships, and a 10 percent donation goes back to your organization,” said Tom Matzen, president/CEO and cofounder of Parmasters. The $1.5 million facility and its equipment are still being remodeled. Diehl and Foley are working out final details and expect Parmasters to open sometime this fall. v
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Hamilton County Business Magazine/October • November 2010
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