Kennesaw, Ga. (Jan. 18, 2024) – Valhalla Golf Club—site of the 2024 PGA Championship, numerous other majors, and the 2008 Ryder Cup—will host a unique education session at the upcoming PGA Show explaining how golf clubs can benefit from technology in controlling pace of play and other key metrics that affect on-course performance.

The session, hosted in partnership with Tagmarshal, is titled “How 2024 PGA Championship host Valhalla Uses Tech to Optimize Pace, the Player Experience, and Efficiency,” and will take place on Wednesday, January 24, at 9:45am in Room W103 of the Orange County Convention Center. This session will also earn valuable PDR credits for attendees.

Valhalla’s head golf professional, Kyle Cramer, PGA, will share insights into how he and his team successfully harness the power of technology to increase efficiency at all levels of their operation, freeing up time to focus on delivering exceptional service to members.

“With Tagmarshal, we know what is happening on the course and can get ahead of any issues with anticipatory service for our members. It’s really great having these tools,” said Cramer.

Tagmarshal, the market leader in on-course optimization and pace-of-play management technology, has worked with Valhalla for many years to gather data and in turn, impact the player experience and a recent course renovation, where data was used to assist in the course design.

“We’re very proud to partner with the exceptional team at Valhalla and see their operation achieve continued success through the use of technology,” says Tagmarshal CEO Bodo Sieber. “We have no doubt Kyle and his team will make the 2024 PGA Championship a huge success.”

Tagmarshal will be exhibiting in Booth 3123 at the PGA Show, where facilities interested in improving their operations can attend live demos of the company’s newest AI-assisted software. Tagmarshal experts will run ROI (return on investment) calculations using actual course data. Also on display will be the company’s new Caddie Management Module, which makes it easy to assign and manage caddies, whether they’re club employees or independent.

PGA Show attendees also will be able to speak with representatives of existing Tagmarshal clients including Erin Hills, Fieldstone, and others and “test drive” the new 2Way 10-inch cart screen, with bigger and better high-definition imagery, including to-the-pin yardages and live pace updates, as well as a host of other devices.

For more information about Tagmarshal, access the website at www.tagmarshal.com/demo

Tagmarshal—the world leader in optimizing on-course operations and pace and flow of play management through data-driven software—will be exhibiting at the 2024 PGA Show in Orlando, Fla., January 24-26, booth #3123. Club pros and managers interested in solving operational challenges and improving pace of play while significantly increasing efficiency and maximizing revenue are invited to stop by the booth.

“We’re thrilled to be exhibiting at our ninth PGA Show and look forward to sharing powerful new software designed to manage operations more efficiently and effectively, resulting in significantly optimized revenues,” said Bodo Sieber, Tagmarshal’s CEO.

Tagmarshal experts will be running live demos that show ROI (return on investment) calculations using the operator’s actual course data. Visitors to the booth can see just how much revenue Tagmarshal software will generate based on optimization and efficiency.

Other demos will showcase Tagmarshal’s powerful new software including:

• Machine learning and AI-enhanced algorithms to provide intuitive, easy-to-use analytics and data visualizations for better management and decision making.
• Streamlined navigation, customizable widgets, and modules that can be set up to show what’s most important to each segment of a club’s operations.
• Enhanced dashboard and menu personalization by role to ensure the platform and its integration add relevant value.

According to Matt Barksdale, PGA, Director of Golf for Pinehurst Resort, host of the 2024 U.S. Open Championship, “Tagmarshal is such a game changer. With 360-degree coverage, we can see pace of play with a glance at a screen.”

2024 PGA Championship host, Valhalla, featured in exclusive PGA Show Education Session. Wednesday, Jan. 24, at 9:45 am in Room W103, Orange County Convention Center. All are welcome. PDR credits apply.

Tagmarshal will host a live education session, “How 2024 PGA Championship host Valhalla uses tech to optimize pace, the player experience, and efficiency.”  Kyle Cramer, PGA, Head Golf Professional at Valhalla, will explain how the course uses technology and automation to drive efficiency, freeing up time to focus on service while enhancing the player experience.

Other elevated Tagmarshal technology includes the new Caddie Management Module, which makes it easy to assign and manage caddies, whether they’re club employees or independent. The module also tracks real-time stats like current pace and gaps between groups.

Visitors to the booth will be able to “test drive” the new two-way, 10-inch cart screen, with bigger and better high-definition imagery including to-the-pin yardages and live pace updates, as well as a host of other devices.

For more information about Tagmarshal, access the website at www.tagmarshal.com/demo

The 18-hole Golf Le Champêtre is renowned for being one of the most beautiful in Quebec, extending across hilly terrain and offering a panoramic view of water, dunes, deciduous forests and pine forests.

Opened in 2003, the course challenges players technically and boasts immaculately maintained fairways, greens and bunkers.

We spoke with Anne Rogerson, the Head Golf Professional at Golf Le Champêtre, about her favorite golfing memory and how the sport has always been a part of her life.

How would you describe your morning routine to kickstart your day?

The first thing is a big cup of coffee then a quick look at emails to start planning my day. I drive 40 minutes to work so I brainstorm and prioritize daily activities.

Has golf always been your first love?

Golf has always been a part of my life. My love for the game was instilled in me by my dad. I was lucky enough to earn a scholarship to Florida International University in Miami, where I played 5 years and earned my college degree. Golf also allowed me to travel and see the world as a member of the Ladies European Tour. I have met extraordinary people along my journey!

Tell us about your role at your golf course. Why is it important?

I am very involved with member activities and day-to-day operations. My goal each and every day as a semi-private facility is for all golfers to experience a first-class member experience.

Why has your course decided to invest in Tagmarshal?

As an 18-hole facility, we wanted to improve our pace of play and maximize times on our tee sheet. It has had a tremendous impact on the roles of our starters and marshals. They now have the tools necessary to do a great job.

Since implementing Tagmarshal, how have your golfers responded to the on-course experience?

It is a win-win situation for golfers and staff. Pace of play and flow are much better on the course. Marshals can identify slow golfers before it becomes a major problem.

Describe Tagmarshal in three words.

Pace of play

What is your dream golf destination? Why?

The Old Course, St Andrews in Scotland.

Every golfer should have the chance to experience the Home of Golf. It gives you chills and goosebumps the first time you see the grounds, fairways 1 and 18, the white fence around the property, the Swilcan Bridge and the R&A clubhouse.

Your best golf moment?

Hands down, playing Pinehurst #2 with my dad on Easter Sunday with walking caddies. Priceless.

If you could be a caddie on Tour, whose caddie would you like to be and why?

I would have loved to caddie for Annika Sorenstam in her prime on the LPGA Tour to see up close the skills and mindset of a great champion.

Designed by world-renowned architect Stanley Thompson, St. George’s Golf and Country Club has hosted the Canadian Open six times – 1933, 1949, 1960, 1968, 2010 and 2022.

The championship course in downtown Toronto opened for play in 1929, and over the years there have been several enhancements to the club and course.

Measuring more than 7,000 yards, the Par 72 course finishes with two very taxing par 4s, culminating with a finish on a steep and heavily bunkered green at 18.

Quinn Godfrey, PGA of Canada, the Head Associate Golf Professional at St. George’s, took some time out of his busy schedule to chat with us about his daily routine and running the course.

How would you describe your morning routine to kickstart your day? 

Make a coffee while headed out the door and drive to work. Once I get to the golf club, I try to check in with all staff areas to see how the morning has gone so far. Once I get to my desk, I typically open up my emails, check my daily/weekly calendar and finally open up all my tabs I need for each day. 

This will consist of the tee sheet, Weather Network, and of course, Tagmarshal. 

Has golf always been your first love? 

Growing up in Canada, everyone played hockey. Golf was just something we did in the summers to keep busy. I was the typical golf kid in the summer, and would get dropped off at the golf course each morning and picked up before heading home for dinner.

Tell us about your role at your golf course. Why is it important? 

The Golf Professional’s role at any golf course is important because it’s most often the first and last department you interact with when you get to the course. The Golf Pro’s role is to organize and manage the golf operations team for success.

Why has your course decided to invest in Tagmarshal? 

Like everyone else, we saw a huge increase in rounds since COVID and wanted to better understand how golfers move around our golf course. We have a world-class golf course that is considered one of Stanley Thompson’s best. It can be a challenge for players of all calibers and we wanted to know how long it really takes to play 18-holes. 

After researching a few different companies, our Golf Committee and management team made the unanimous decision to implement Tagmarshal.

Since implementing Tagmarshal, how have your golfers responded to the on-course experience?  

Almost all golfers saw this as a positive for the club. It helps start the conversation on the 1^st tee with each group and is a subtle reminder that pace of play is being monitored at the Club. Once the round started, a lot of them forgot they even had the bright green tag on their bag. It allows our shop staff to have easy access to view every group on the golf course.

Describe Tagmarshal in three words.  

Quick, Accurate, Easy 

What is your dream golf destination? Why? 

For anyone outside of Canada, if you haven’t visited Cabot Links or Cabot Cliffs in Nova Scotia, I would highly recommend it. 

However, my personal dream golf destination would be the West Coast, starting in BC and driving south to California, hitting all the great courses along the way.

Your best golf moment? 

3 hole-in-ones so far to my name. One in front of my best golfing buddy and one in front of baseball legend Russell Martin.  

If you could be a caddie on Tour, whose caddie would you like to be and why? 

If you do not answer Tiger Woods to the question, we are not friends. Rory McIlroy would also be pretty cool to see him outdrive guys that are twice his size. 

Framed by natural grasses and trees and ragged handmade bunkers, FireRock Golf Club flows effortlessly over pastureland and across Savannah grasses and the Oxbow River valley.

Playing 7,183 yards from the tips, the Tom McBroom-designed Par 72 championship course is renowned for its immaculate conditioning, making it one of the most exciting and enjoyable golf courses in Southwestern Ontario.

We spoke with Amanda Cookson, FireRock’s Director of Golf, about her love for the sport and how the course has embraced technology to help enhance the player experience.

How would you describe your morning routine to kickstart your day?

Enjoy a coffee with the morning crew 20 minutes before their shift starts and plan the day based on what groups we are hosting, and catch up on last night’s game.

Has golf always been your first love?

No, I was a varsity basketball player for Laurentian & Western University. However, the golf season merged perfectly with my basketball training schedule during school, so it was a natural career progression into the golf world.

Tell us about your role at your golf course. Why is it important?

As Director of Golf, you handle a little bit of everything – HR, event planning, merchandizing, business operations, planning and forecasting. I personally find it extremely motivating to work with Golf Canada & Golf Ontario when we host high-level championships to deliver to and exceed their high expectations. It is also very rewarding working with not-for-profit organizations to host incredible tournaments to help fundraise for their great causes!

Why has your course decided to invest in Tagmarshal?

Keeping with the times to be at the forefront of the technical side of golf course management.

Since implementing Tagmarshal, how have your golfers responded to the on-course experience?

They appreciate the fact they can have a streamlined approach to golf logistics while having the opportunity to order meals to enhance their experience without slowing down their round.

Describe Tagmarshal in three words.

Efficient, Smooth and Engaging

What is your dream golf destination? Why?

Augusta National – the incredible history!

Your best golf moment?

Hosting Brooke Henderson for the LPGA Qualifier in 2014 while her dad was her caddie. We all knew what a star she was becoming and it was incredible to see her shoot our course record as a very young amateur golfer.

If you could be a caddie on Tour, whose caddie would you like to be and why?

Lexi Thompson – I would love to see her approach to the game and how she can stay so level-headed. But then again, she did turn pro at the age of 15 so by this time in her career she is a seasoned vet!