Playing golf has been a profession for myself and Mane for several years. Playing and practicing hasn’t only been a fun past-time for us, it has been the job that brings food to the table. Despite this aspect, golf has enriched both of our lives enormously, and given us experiences money can’t buy. Remember how I told you in one of the earlier stories that in the beginning of our GameBook journey, we used the slogan “Games and Dreams”? Making golf more fun through new social elements and different game formats as well as fulfilling golfers’ dreams has always been – and still is – the core of what we do.
Already back in 2008 when piloting our scoring devices, we wanted to create an unforgettable experience for one of the participants. We pulled some strings and with the help of the relationships we had developed over the years we were able to offer one lucky golfer a round of golf and a club fitting session with British Open champion Stewart Cink (who has been helping us out with GameBook almost since the beginning) followed by a weekend on a lovely vineyard.
Here we are back in the day with our Games and Dreams concept and a handheld GameBook device, me (on the left), Stewart Cink and Mane.
Since then we have had the pleasure of partnering up with some big global brands to offer our users some pretty exciting experiences. One guy from Canada got to take three of his friends along for an exclusive golf trip to St Andrews, Scotland, where they stayed at the luxurious Old Course Hotel and played on some of the most legendary links courses in the world including The Old Course itself. Another gentleman from the United Kingdom won a VIP experience for himself and a plus one at the last Ryder Cup at Gleneagles. That was probably the one time his wife was happy about his golf hobby!
Ron Husband and his three buddies enjoying a dream come true experience at St Andrews Old Course.
Stephen Woods and Craig Carrington golfed their way to Gleneagles in 2014 and got to enjoy the Ryder Cup atmosphere.
Simon Cordier with his wife at The 2014 Ryder Cup – another unforgettable golf experience made possible by Golf GameBook and our partners.
Unfortunately, it isn’t often I get to personally follow along and enjoy our winners’ experiences together with them. But last summer I was present at The Open Championship when two of our winners got to act as official scorers and walk The Old Course at St Andrews with some of the biggest stars in golf – such as Tiger Woods. It ended up being an emotional moment when we found out that one of the guys actually celebrated his birthday that same day. Not a bad birthday present to give to a golf enthusiast!
Our scorers David Ross (on the left) and Derrick Hoxey (on the right) with me (in the middle) getting ready for the job at The Open last year.
Now that we’ve managed to tell a story from the history of Golf GameBook that mentions Tiger Woods, I’m going to continue the name dropping and talk about Rory McIlroy, Jose Maria Olazabal, Colin Montgomerie and Darren Clarke in the next part of our story this Friday.
– Kalle
@kallevainola & @GolfGameBook on Twitter
Great stories & pictures Kalle & Mane! It’s been fun knowing you guys and following along as GameBook continues to grow. Let’s get together again soon when you’re back in the US.
Thanks Robby! 🙂