The Buzz

INTERNET

Since the early 90's, GMS saw the future opportunities and introduced some of golf's biggest hitters to the world of cyberspace and Internet marketing.

Beginning in 1994 (nano years before the "dot.com" frenzy), GMS was a founding partner with up and coming America Online (boasting one million members at the time) and Interzine Productions, a start-up Florida based Web venture, in launching the first comprehensive golf information site, iGOLF. GMS was responsible for building iGOLF's editorial content, handling publicity and negotiating key strategic partnerships and sponsorships with Callaway Golf, Edwin Watts, and others. iGOLF was one of the first commercially successful community based Web sites and was acquired in 1998 by Times Mirror Inc. publishers of Golf Magazine.

In 1999, GMS became involved in another Internet venture, LiquidGolf.com. Liquidgolf.com was the first ecommerce, "virtual pro shop" that sold equipment, apparel, accessories and other golf products online. GMS' president, Holly G. served as senior vice president of marketing and was responsible for overseeing all of the marketing functions of the company. This included the creation and coordination of "An Evening of Golf Passion" --- one of the largest launch parties in the history of the PGA Merchandise Show. The standing-room-only ballroom event featured an invitation-only concert by Hootie and the Blowfish.

In 2002, GMS was hired by GolfSociety.com to direct its marketing program. GMS helped to grow the company into the second largest dues paying membership club online. GMS also worked from 2003-2005 for Golfserv.com. With 2.6 million unique users, Golfserv.com was the most visited golf site next to PGA Tour.com. GMS provided weekly editorial content and assisted with selling sponsorship programs. Golfserv.com was named "Best of the Web" by Forbes and U.S. News and World Report and was sold to Time Inc. in 2006.