Weddings are good business because, invariably, accommodation and green fees spin off extra dollars to the golf resort and bolster local economies surrounding the wedding facility.
Muskoka, Ontario (PRWEB) August 01, 2014
According to Canada’s largest owner and operator of golf clubs, ClubLink Corporation (http://www.clublink.ca), golf club and golf resort weddings are big business. While much of the general resort vacation accommodation business has remained more or less stagnant post recession, the resort wedding sector has trended ahead year after year. ClubLink golf courses and other competing courses have figured out that wedding business is a perfect match to compliment the golf business, and a profitable one at that.
Many couples these days lead busy, dual income lives, so when planning their wedding, they want turnkey services along with the facility rental, including food services, wedding photography, flower arrangements, entertainment, bar service, marriage ceremony service, limousine/transportation services, on-site decorating services and wedding party accommodations. Couples are also attracted to Ontario resort and golf club wedding venues for the beautiful waterfront or golf course backdrops they provide. Diverse cultures are also looking at hosting wedding receptions at golf courses and ClubLink has reacted to this trend with menus to suit all types of ethnic catering requirements.Venues that can bundle or partner to provide turnkey wedding services tend to be preferred and have an advantage, as do wedding facilities that can offer wedding clients a selection of options ranging from base facility rental to lavish formal affairs with all the bells and whistles. Wedding reception venue costs are approximately 60% of total wedding budget, ClubLink has recognized this and customizes to couples’ needs. New golf courses and full service resorts tend to plan wedding and group facilities and services into their projects as a key revenue producing element of the business.
“Weddings are good business because, invariably, accommodation and green fees spin off extra dollars to the golf resort and bolster local economies surrounding the wedding facility,” states Robin Cawkell, ClubLink Manager of Catering Sales. “It is expected that over 180,000 Canadian couples will get married in 2014 and about 10% of those will choose destination weddings. The cost of a wedding has risen 20% since 2008. The average wedding size is 140 people and that equates to some big operating revenues for ClubLink golf courses and resorts. We don’t take this business for granted. We market very hard to create awareness about golf course wedding venues ... but it’s a solid business and one that is growing. Marriages are always in fashion and couples want their guests to be comfortable and remember their special day,” says Cawkell.
In 2013, ClubLink golf courses and resorts booked 385 weddings, up from 268 in 2012. Their many golf club and resort locations offer over 40 different wedding venues. Having so many properties in Ontario, Quebec and Florida located in or close to large urban centres like Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Fort Lauderdale, allows ClubLink to provide consumers with a variety of options when searching for their ideal wedding location. “At ClubLink, we offer lots of choice in many different upscale venues with the common elements being exquisite facilities, highly trained hospitality service staff and top notch chef prepared cuisine ... our goal is to consistently deliver the winning formula for dream weddings where each wedding is custom and meets the exact needs of the couple. Our facilities can be booked by ClubLink members and non members for weddings and other group events. Golf club and resort weddings are a very popular trend that, we anticipate, will continue to grow for the foreseeable future,” says Cawkell.
About ClubLink Corporation: One membership more golf; that is the concept behind ClubLink, Canada’s largest owner and operator of golf clubs. With 55.5 18-hole equivalent championship and six 18-hole equivalent academy courses in 45 locations in Ontario, Quebec and Florida, ClubLink members have access to many of the finest courses in North America. Each ClubLink golf club property offers an exceptional golfing experience, combining scenic and meticulously maintained golf courses with beautiful clubhouse facilities that are second to none. ClubLink’s resort properties, which include renowned Muskoka resorts; The Lake Joseph Club, Rocky Crest Golf Resort and Sherwood Inn on Lake Joseph, and partner resorts in Mont-Tremblant and Florida, offer the best in resort accommodations, amenities, fine dining and service. For more information about ClubLink resort and golf club weddings, visit (http://en.clublink.ca/Default.aspx?p=DynamicModule&pageid=320815&ssid=213323&vnf=1) or call 1-800-661-1818.
Contact Information:
Marie Witten
ClubLink Corporation
15675 Dufferin Street
King City ON L7B 1K5
mbrown(at)clublink(dot)ca
1-800-661-1818