New Web Community for Golfers is One Part Facebook, One Part Groupon, and All Parts Golf

KISSIMMEE, Fla. --- Cameron Cress may have the Next Big Idea, and golfers may be the beneficiaries.

Cress recently launched PlayGolfPlanet.com, a web community that combines some of the social features of Facebook with the special pricing opportunities available through Groupon.

“PlayGolfPlanet.com is an e-commerce marketplace that allows consumers to connect directly to their favorite golf courses and the friends they typically play golf with,” Cress explained.

“The platform helps golf courses understand their customers’ buying motives to sell more tee times that are relevant to the customers’ needs. The real-time system allows golf courses to create exclusive, personalized deals for golfers who can invite friends to join the round,” Cress said.

Already, PlayGolfPlanet.com has signed some of the top Orlando courses such as MetroWest Golf Club, Grand Cypress Golf Club, Timacuan Golf & Country Club and Windermere Country Club. Cress said more are in the offing.

Golf courses need a better way to connect with their most loyal customers, Cress said.

“PlayGolfPlanet.com takes a non-conventional approach to the online tee time landscape by creating an environment that facilitates a golfer and golf course relationship without a middleman,” Cress said.

Cress expects PlayGolfPlanet.com to expand. He projects 30 golf courses in the Central Florida area will join before the end of this year.

“We anticipate that we will be active nationwide within the next three years,” Cress said.

PlayGolfPlanet.com recently joined the University of Central Florida Business Incubator in Kissimmee at 111 E. Monument Avenue.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program:
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 100 current clients) create over $200 million in annual total economic output and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With nine facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. Please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook.