Record sales and installations jump start cashboxes; Players celebrate 2012 virtual golf courses at world premiere party in Chicago's Lincoln Park
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL -- Incredible Technologies said its annual sales incentive promotion was a runaway hit with operators across the country. This year, IT increased the number of prizes for its Awesome Draw program to 33 from last year's 10, resulting in record sales and installations of Golden Tee 2012, the latest game in the popular golf videogame series.
The videogame manufacturer rewarded operators who updated all Golden Tees on their routes by entering them into the Awesome Draw 2012 sweepstakes. Mary Lavine of Bullseye Games (Madison WI), who has 21 Golden Tees on her route, won the top prize, a Golden Tee Live 2012 Showpiece cabinet and stand.
About 95% of Golden Tee 2011 games have been updated to the 2012 version in less than a month, IT sales vice-president Don Pesceone reported. He predicted that all games in the field will be updated with 2012 software by Nov. 1.
IT said its tried and true formula of introducing new Golden Tee virtual courses during autumn -- when players migrate back to the bars after a long summer outside of them -- has resulted in strong cashbox increases. The manufacturer said getting the updates installed as quickly as possible delivers the best returns.
"If there's one thing we've learned in Golden Tee's 23-year history, it's that players will go anywhere to play the new courses," Pesceone said. "If they're not installed at their favorite location, they will go elsewhere to play."
Awesome Draw also provides operators with access to IT's no-money-down, 12-month payment plan.
Players Celebrate At 2012 World Premiere Party
The Other Side Bar in the trendy Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago was the site of the Golden Tee Live 2012 world premiere party. More than 100 players enjoyed great food and drink as they celebrated the launch of the 2012 courses.
"Golden Tee was rocking Chicago!" said IT marketing director Gary Colabuono. "Beer was flowing and trackballs were spinning. What a great way to introduce 2012 to the world."
David Donovan of Los Angeles, the winner of the 2011 Design-A-Hole, a contest for hole designs on courses, was among the partygoers. According to tradition, Golden Tee world premiere parties are celebrated at the Design-A-Hole winner's favorite bar.
"We thought we were headed to L.A., David's hometown, for the party," Colabuono said. "But he loves Chicago and wanted to have it here."
At the party, Jim Zielinski, Golden Tee co-creator and chief golf course architect, enjoyed listening to the players' comments about the new courses. Caitlin Jenks, the Golden Tee babe, brought a little sizzle to the event. And two-time world champion Graig Kinzler was on hand to mingle with the players and share his trackball expertise.
Ken Valin of Dial Amusements provided five new 2012 Showpiece cabinets for the Golden Tee Live 2012 premier party.
PHOTO: David Donovan shows off his creation at
the Golden Tee 2012 launch party. Donovan's hole,
aptly named Abandoned Rail Yard, is No. 12 on Dusty Bend.
Awesome Draw Winners
| Place |
Prize |
Winner |
City |
State |
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 |
GT LIVE Showpiece and Stand |
BULLSEYE, INC |
MADISON |
WI |
| 2 |
GT LIVE 2012 Full Kit |
ELLIS AMUSEMENT, INC |
BOISE |
ID |
| 3 |
GT LIVE 2012 Full Kit |
RGB INC |
SELMA |
NC |
| 4 |
Golden Tee LIVE Transfer Cabinet |
ST. CHARLES AMUSEMENTS |
DEFIANCE |
MO |
| 5 |
Golden Tee LIVE Transfer Cabinet |
CADILLAC MUSIC CORPORATION |
CLEVELAND |
OH |
| 6 |
$1000 in IT Bucks |
R & M VENDING |
CROSBY |
TX |
| 7 |
$750 in IT Bucks |
METRO GAMES INC |
IRVING |
TX |
| 8 |
$500 in IT Bucks |
JOHN'S GAMES - MS |
D LO |
MS |
| 9 |
$500 in IT Bucks |
M & M AMUSEMENTS |
CAMBRIDGE |
MD |
| 10 |
$300 in IT Bucks |
AH ENTERTAINERS INC |
ROLLING MEADOWS |
IL |
| 11 |
$300 in IT Bucks |
BAKER MUSIC INC |
PORTLAND |
ME |
| 12 |
$300 in IT Bucks |
HARP VENDING, INC. |
SWEETWATER |
TX |
| 13 |
$200 in IT Bucks |
NABERS AMUSEMENT CO |
LOUISVILLE |
MS |
| 14 |
$200 in IT Bucks |
PLK VENDING INC |
WOODSIDE |
NY |
| 15 |
$200 in IT Bucks |
SHAFFER SERVICES INC |
COLUMBUS |
OH |
| 16 |
$200 in IT Bucks |
RAINBOW AMUSEMENTS |
DALY CITY |
CA |
| 17 |
$200 in IT Bucks |
S & M AMUSEMENTS INC - TX |
GARLAND |
TX |
| 18 |
$100 in IT Bucks |
HANCOCK AMUSEMENT INC |
WAVELAND |
MS |
| 19 |
$100 in IT Bucks |
TROYS BAR TOYS |
ARLINGTON |
TX |
| 20 |
$100 in IT Bucks |
C & L GAMES INC |
PACIFIC |
WA |
| 21 |
$100 in IT Bucks |
NCS VENDING LLC |
WATERFORD |
MI |
| 22 |
$100 in IT Bucks |
LASER MUSIC & GAMES |
HARAHAN |
LA |
| 23 |
$100 in IT Bucks |
ADVANCED GAMEMASTERS |
HAMMOND |
LA |
| 24 |
$100 in IT Bucks |
LEISURE COIN MACHINE |
MADISON |
WI |
| 25 |
$100 in IT Bucks |
ENTERTAINMENT EXPERTS |
DENVER |
CO |
| 26 |
$100 in IT Bucks |
GAMETIME AMUSEMENT - VA |
RICHMOND |
VA |
| 27 |
$100 in IT Bucks |
D & D AMUSEMENT GAMES LLC |
WAUPACA |
WI |
| 28 |
Free Shipping on next order |
GO FOR BROKE AMUSEMENT |
FLUSHING |
OH |
| 29 |
Free Shipping on next order |
AZ VENDING |
LUNENBURG |
MA |
| 30 |
Titanium Buying Status for 1 month |
TROY VENDING, INC |
PHOENIX |
AZ |
| 31 |
Titanium Buying Status for 1 month |
VIDEO DISTRIBUTORS |
PORTLAND |
OR |
| 32 |
5 Dozen GT T-Shirts |
BOB JORDAN AMUSEMENT CO |
LUBBOCK |
TX |
| 33 |
100 Free Operator Gift Cards |
JESTERS AMUSEMENTS |
WHEAT RIDGE |
CO |
