Founders Group International Golf Courses, a renowned collection of 21 courses in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, has long been a top destination for golf enthusiasts. However, the area’s unpredictable weather created a persistent challenge: rain checks issued for weather disruptions often became a financial and operational burden. While rain checks offered golfers a way to recoup lost playing time, they also led to ongoing liabilities for Founders Group and frustration among customers, particularly out-of-state visitors who couldn’t easily return to redeem them.

In November 2023, Founders partnered with Sensible Weather to introduce Weather Guarantees, a seamless add-on integrated directly into their online booking flow. This innovation allows golfers to protect their bookings by offering cash reimbursements for qualifying weather disruptions, like rain or high temperatures. By shifting from reactive rain checks to proactive customer protection, Founders Group transformed a long-standing problem into an opportunity for growth.

The Challenge

Myrtle Beach’s weather, while part of the region’s charm, often disrupted operations at Founders Group International Golf Courses. Rain checks, which were meant to ensure a positive customer experience, created unintended challenges for the business:

• Financial Liabilities: Rain checks issued for weather-related disruptions became long-term obligations. Many were redeemed during high-demand times, like weekends or peak seasons, but at low-season rates, leading to revenue losses.
• Customer Frustration: While local golfers could more easily redeem rain checks, out-of-state visitors often found them impractical, leading to dissatisfaction. These travelers were left with little recourse if weather disrupted their trip.
• Hesitation to Book: Weather uncertainty discouraged many golfers from booking in advance, particularly during the shoulder seasons when conditions were less predictable. This further impacted Founders’ ability to optimize revenue.

Founders needed a solution that would alleviate the financial and operational burden of rain checks while addressing customer concerns about weather risk.

The Solution

The partnership with Sensible Weather provided a transformative solution. By introducing Weather Guarantees, Founders Group gave golfers the confidence to book online in advance, knowing they were protected from unforeseen weather disruptions. The process is simple: if a round of golf is impacted by qualifying rain, golfers receive a cash reimbursement automatically—no claims, no rain checks, no hassle.

For Founders Group, the integration process was fast and efficient. Sensible Weather worked closely with the Founders team to embed the Weather Guarantee option directly into their existing booking flow.  "The process of putting it online was very seamless. We had it up and running within a week with no problems," said Justin Binke, Director of Sales and Revenue at Founders Group International.

This quick setup meant the team at Founders could immediately offer the new feature to customers without disrupting operations. Importantly, Sensible Weather handles all aspects of the refund process, ensuring that the Founders team remains focused on delivering great golf experiences rather than managing claims or customer service inquiries.

The Results

The impact of Sensible Weather’s Weather Guarantees was immediate and measurable. Founders saw a 10% increase in online bookings and rounds played in 2024. Golfers, reassured by the option to protect their bookings, felt more confident making reservations, even during Myrtle Beach’s unpredictable shoulder seasons.

Customers who purchased the Weather Guarantee were overwhelmingly satisfied. As Binke explained, "We've seen more advanced bookings, and the customers who purchase the Sensible Weather product are generally very satisfied. Instead of issuing rain checks, we can direct them to Sensible Weather for a refund, which takes the burden off our team."

Operationally, the benefits have been just as significant. With Sensible Weather managing all claims and refunds, Founders has seen a reduction in rainchecks being issued, saving the company time and money. "The bigger win for us is not having to issue rain checks and deal with the refund process," Binke added. "Sensible Weather takes care of that, and we just focus on providing an exceptional golfing experience for our customers."

Financially, the partnership also added value. Founders receives a percentage of the Weather Guarantee fees, creating a new revenue stream that directly contributes to their bottom line. Meanwhile, eliminating the liability of outstanding rain checks freed up resources and reduced complexity for the team.

"We've seen more advanced bookings, and the customers who purchase the Sensible Weather product are generally very satisfied. Instead of issuing rain checks, we can direct them to Sensible Weather for a refund, which takes the burden off our team."

Looking Ahead

Building on the success of the initial rollout, Founders is exploring ways to expand the Weather Guarantee offering to local golfers and walk-up bookings. By continuing to innovate with Sensible Weather, they aim to further enhance the customer experience and mitigate the challenges of weather disruptions.

Conclusion

By partnering with Sensible Weather, Founders Group International Golf Courses has turned a long-standing operational challenge into an opportunity for growth. The integration of Weather Guarantees has increased advance bookings, improved customer satisfaction, and streamlined operations—all while reducing liabilities and boosting revenue.

For golf courses looking to mitigate weather risks and deliver exceptional booking experiences, Sensible Weather offers a proven path to success.