Published on 27/08/08
The DLGC Website Project Team is delighted to announce the launch of our new Website. The aim of the project is to develop the site as a resource for members, attract visitors to the club and make member communications more efficient.
The website has two main areas
Public site - launch 3rd September 2008
Primary focus is on Club PR and to show case the new Golf Course and Clubhouse. It contains details of the Course and Course Calendar, the Club including a brief History and details on DLGC Teams, facilities including the Clubhouse and Academy, Professional team, Public News & Events and useful Links. Contact details and Directions, Visitor feedback and Booking for Members and Visitors integrated with the BRSGolf on-line system are also included. The launch has been set to link with the launch of the new BRS (27Hole 3x9) Booking system.
Members Private Area - launch early October
This area will be private and available only to members approved by the club. Access will be password protected. This area will include information for members, including Fixtures & Events, Results, Club News, Image galleries, a Members Directory, Members feedback, Committees, Club Bye Laws and a page for each of the Social clubs.
Improved Communications - Website email & eNewsletter
The new website system includes an efficient email facility which will be setup to allow the club to send mails by group to members and social clubs
An eNewsletter system will also be introduced. This system captures email statistics & tracking but has a cost per mail. We will use this system when there is a benefit from doing so, for example direct mail shots to societies or visitors or formal emails to members where there is benefit in tracking who opened them.
Web Designer
It is a co-incidence but perhaps appropriate that our web design company is called Birdie. Birdie was established in 2007 by Cormac Kelly, a digital media designer specialising in creative web design and development. Cormac has worked with some of Ireland's biggest brands and for some of Dublin's best creative and development companies, such as Design Factory, Ocean Advertising and Communicraft, and he has over 6 years experience designing and developing websites and online marketing material for all sorts of clients. The Birdie portfolio is available at www.bird.ie
Content Management Package
It is necessary to select a software package called a Content Management Package (CMS) on which to run the website. Our specification was that the CMS package would be easy to use, include Member Management, integrated Mailing List functionality and allow the club to set a number different access profiles. Cormac recommended Expression Engine as the CMS package. It is a powerful, flexible and well supported system for maintaining and updating website content.
Graphics
The stunning views of the course were captured by Kevin Murray, Photographer. An expert in golf course photography Kevin's photos act as the signature photos for many courses including Druids Glen, Portmarnock, Royal Troon, St Andrews and Royal Birkdale. The site also incudes photograps which were captured by Paul Harvey just before the offical opening in Ballyman.
The Course map and aerial photos of the course were kindly provided by Eagle Promotions who are producing our new Course Guide.
The Project Team
The website development team is Management Board - Chair Niamh Giblin, Editor - Ned Dempsey, Admin Team - Pat Smyth, IT expertise - Colm O'Cuilleanain, Mens and Junior Clubs - Arthur Choyce, Ladies Club Mai Tan and Web designer Cormac Kelly. Doug Notley advised on the specification of requirements, Adhamhnan O'Sullivan wrote the club history and Joanne Eustace provided Marketing expertise.
The public site is easy to use we hope that you will enjoy exploring the new website. We would welcome your feedback, please email to our new email address for members feedback ( feedback@dlgc.ie ).
Further communication and instructions will be issued in advance of the launch of the Members Area.