I try to not have a "challenge ladder," but instead have a ladder where I
assign matches each month. I've found that the biggest problems with ladders
are players that don't play, or get to a point on the ladder where they can't
go higher and get discouraged. I try to give players matches each month
slightly above or slightly below, and then use a 'ranking' program,of which
there are a number out on the market, so player get point values rather than
a numerical rank. I add a fee for players each month to cover new balls for
each match (and I can increase my ball sales this way as I factor in my
regular retail price) and use the rest of the fee for gift certificates in my
pro shop for both the #1 on the list, but also the player that had the
largest jump in their point values (which could be anyone on the list).
By the way, if you don't think pro shop gift certificates are a good idea, go
ask a PGA pro why they always use gift certificates as prizes. After all,
the cost of an item is approx. 50% of the value of the G.C., and most people
buy more than the G.C. was for. And many of the top players who win these
G.C. are not the ones who normally buy things in your shop, anyway so it gets
them in to buy.
Hope this helps,
Jon Fischer
Travis Pointe C.C.
Received on Fri Apr 28 2000 - 16:01:40 CDT
