Auction Central
By Chet Hall

The Internet revolution has allowed for the development of many different types of commerce relating to the golf industry. One of the more unique options is the ability to bid on rounds of golf in an auction format.

The GolfUS.com Tee Time Auction is an excellent way to save money and check out new courses to play throughout Michigan and surrounding states. The auction is set up similar to E-bay and includes over 300 courses throughout the Midwest. Each week during the golf season, golf courses list rounds of golf (for twosomes and foursomes) on the auction, and registered golfers place bids against other golfers to secure rounds at a reduced price. The winning bidders receives a confirmation e-mail informing them that they have won. The golfer then calls the course to arrange the tee time and presents a printout of the e-mail as payment for the golf. New rounds from each course are listed each week and each auction is "live" for a three- to five-day period.

The Tee Time Auction is a no-lose situation for the golf courses and the golfers alike. The golf courses benefit from the exposure that they receive by attracting new golfers, as well as the increase in visibility for their website. The golfers are happy because of the savings they receive and for the ability to play courses for the first time. The Tee Time Auction is starting its third season and has been growing substantially each year.

A few samples of the more than 300 courses involved in the auction are:

In Michigan: Ravines, Golf Club at Thornapple Pointe, Black Forest, Grand Haven, The Chief, Gull Lake, Timber Ridge and The Lynx

In Ohio: Elks Run, Golf Club of Dublin (opening this summer), Eagle Creek, Darby Creek, Cooks Creek and The Phoenix

In Indiana: Blackthorn, Autumn Ridge, Noble Hawk, Rock Hollow, Prairie View, The Trophy Club, Sultan's Run and Otter Creek

In Illinois: The Den at Fox Creek, Plum Tree National, Red Tail and Pinecrest

In Kentucky: Quail Chase, Bull at Boone's Trace, Kerry Landing and Maywood.