System and method for posting available tee time slots to a network hub

Abstract

A browser-based tee time posting system for use by golf courses to post available tee times to a tee time reservations hub for reservation by golfers accessing the hub. The system includes a hub web server adapted to serve web pages and to accept time slot information from a golf course user via a browser. Golf course users each with a web browser at respective network nodes request time slot information from the system, receive web pages served by the hub web server in response, and provide time slot information to the hub web server. Golf course users, such as course pro shop employees, may thus autonomously provide updated tee time availability information to the system hub, and the system hub thus need not be burdened with tee time update tasks. The system may generate a simple check box or radio button interface so that the golf course user may easily select and de-select tee times for that course. The system may enable the course user to generate an input template for subsequent use by that course user. In one embodiment, the system may accept tee time inputs from multiple sources, including multiple software-based tee time management systems installed in golf courses. The system reduces the considerable time and expense that golf courses and hubs may incur in posting and maintaining golf course tee time inventory.

1 . A method for posting available golf tee times by a golf course to a tee time reservations hub so that prospective golfers may access updated tee time availability information, the method comprising the steps of: 
 receiving at the tee time reservations hub a web page request from a golf course web browser;    in response to the request, serving a tee time posting page with a list of future tee times at the respective golf course and a tee time input interface to the golf course web browser; and    receiving at the tee time reservations hub from the golf course web browser a posting input indicating which elements in the list of future tee times are to be available to the tee time reservations hub for reservation by golfers.    
   
   
       2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the posting input pertains to next-day tee times.  
   
   
       3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the posting input pertains to same-day or last minute tee times.  
   
   
       4 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising the step of: 
 serving a tee sheet template page having a tee time form and a template input interface; and    receiving from the template input interface via the golf course web browser a completed tee time form associated with the structure of a tee time management system used by the golf course; and    generating the tee time posting page at the tee time reservations hub based on the completed tee time form received from the golf course web browser.    
   
   
       5 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising the steps of: 
 assigning a web page address to the golf course for use in generating the web page request.    
   
   
       6 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the serving further comprises the substep of serving a list of next-day or last minute tee times at the respective golf course to permit updating of the list of next-day or last minute tee times with the golf course web browser.  
   
   
       7 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the tee time posting page enables posting, viewing or withdrawal of available tee times using the golf course web browser.  
   
   
       8 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the method further comprising the step of: 
 determining which elements in the list of future tee times have previously been posted to the reservations hub; and    generating the tee time posting page to indicate the future tee times that have previously posted to the reservations hub.    
   
   
       9 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising the steps of: 
 receiving at the tee time reservations hub a request from the golf course web browser for a real time report for tee time reservations made through the tee time reservations hub; and    serving the real time report to the golf course web browser.    
   
   
       10 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the tee time input interface enables the golf course web browser to input a course note or announcement for display to golfers when they view and reserve tee times using golfer web browsers via the tee time reservations hub.  
   
   
       11 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 receiving a username and password for one of a plurality of user accounts,    wherein the tee time reservations hub serves the tee time posting page for the one of the plurality of user accounts.    
   
   
       12 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising the step of: 
 receiving at the tee time reservations hub a form from the golf course web browser defining a communication to personnel at the tee time reservations hub.