ClubUp, an iOS app that allows golfers from private clubs to book pre-approved caddies, has already provided caddie services on over 175 rounds at private clubs in the city, with plans to expand the app’s reach throughout the state. The startup is partnered with The First Tee of Greater Charlotte, and sources many of its caddies through the organization.
Over the past eight months, Matt Rose, founder of ClubUp, an iOS app that allows golfers from private clubs to book pre-approved caddies, has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in seed capital, CharlotteAgenda.com reported.
So far, the app has provided caddie services on over 175 rounds at Charlotte Country Club, Quail Hollow Country Club, Carmel Country Club and Myers Park Country Club, all in Charlotte, N.C., CharlotteAgenda.com reported.
Caddies cost $55. The caddie keeps 80% and ClubUp takes a 20% cut. Tipping is included and golfers are encouraged to refrain from tipping (although many still do). Payment is handled through the app and caddies are paid weekly, CharlotteAgenda.com reported.
ClubUp caddies are sourced through a partnership with The First Tee, personal networks, local high school golfers and college golfers. All caddies are over the age of 15 with the average age around 17. Twenty-nine percent of ClubUp caddies are The First Tee of Greater Charlotte participants, CharlotteAgenda.com reported.
“Through ClubUp, First Tee participants have been able to network with club members, hone their skills on the golf course, and make some money. One caddie even earned scholarship money from a member that was particularly impressed with his level of respect and courtesy,” said Emily Lockard, marketing and events manager at The First Tee of Greater Charlotte.
The app is simple—the golfer opens up it and requests a caddie. On the back end, caddies can pick jobs. “We’re currently looking for more caddies. Another problem we face is that unlike Uber, almost 100% of golfers leave very positive caddie feedback which makes it difficult to improve our caddie training program,” Rose said.
“Being a caddie is a cool thing. It’s a lost art,” said Rose, who grew up caddying at Birmingham Country Club near Detroit. The idea came to him during one of his MBA classes. With help from a few mentors and The First Tee of Greater Charlotte Development Director Ike Grainger, Rose hit the ground running, CharlotteAgenda.com reported.
Another breakthrough happened when Charlotte Country Club head golf pro, Andrew Shuck, agreed to let Rose run the pilot at his club. All ClubUp caddies go through training at Charlotte Country Club, and after four rounds as a ClubUp caddie, participants are given access to play Charlotte Country Club and Quail Hollow during designated times, CharlotteAgenda.com reported.
About 10 investors have invested a total of hundreds of thousands of dollars in the seed round. With this funding, Rose will expand the team with a key marketing hire, build out ClubUp’s technology stack and expand into other markets in the Carolinas—specifically, Raleigh, Winston Salem and Greensboro, CharlotteAgenda.com reported.
Within 24 hours after each round, ClubUp users are send the following reports showcase their performance, requiring no labor for the golfer. The ClubUp caddie takes all the notes throughout the round and then sends a photo that’s then input into the system, CharlotteAgenda.com reported.
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