Pga Tests Premium Ticket Golfwatch Concept Faces First Trial During This Weekend’s Nissan Open

Success is causing a problem for some PGA Tour fans.

As interest in the PGA Tour increases, galleries are growing to the point where it becomes difficult for even the most ardent fans to get good vantage points. Further, golf doesn’t have luxury boxes or other premium seating for corporate entertaining.

Strategic Marketing International LLC thinks it came up with a solution with its “GolfWatch” program. It’ll be used for the first time at this week’s Nissan Open at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif. A GolfWatch ticket is a five-day pass that grants access to special express lanes set up inside the regular gallery ropes, as well as other amenities.

“Every sport has a premier ticket except golf,” said Jack Vickers, chairman of Strategic Marketing International. “Many call sitting in a hospitality tent at a tournament and watching television a premier ticket. I don’t.”

GolfWatch costs $1,500. Five days of admission to the gallery at the Nissan Open costs $100. Up to 1,000 GolfWatch tickets will be available for each tournament.

Included in the price of the ticket is the use of hospitality facilities called “Oases.” These will be set up in the greens areas and will have food and beverage service, a concierge, televisions, telephones and fax machines.

Tickets can be passed daily from one guest to another, enabling businesses to entertain a wider number of people.

“This is a good deal for the small-businessman,” Vickers said. “He can bring four or five guests and the cost is fixed. He knows exactly what the cost is going in and there are no surprises.”