The minds behind Auburn's own Verge Pipe Media have made their mark on the social media market with their new product, Golf Joust.
Golf Joust is a free iPhone and Android app that connects recreational golfers around the nation with each other in competition from their separate golf courses.
"I started the app in January 2011 and the idea is to make golf more social networking friendly," said Don Crow, Verge Pipe Media founder. "If I go out and play, and I want my buddies in California, New York and Auburn to know that I just birdied number three at Moore's Mill, short of a text message there was no easy way to do that."
The app is centered on giving golfers the platform to record their scores, track their statistics and share their successes with their peers. It runs on a point system that moves players through levels, unlocking deals and offers provided by the course the player is at.
"All of this is built around when you play," Crow said. "You are recording your score that puts you in a joust against another golfer at another course. As you go through levels, you earn the ability to choose your opponents and recruit others to be a part of your army."
Golf Joust also provides marketing opportunities for participating golf courses by promoting the course as well as in-house sales. The managers of their respective courses set the deals offered at each level.
"If you are playing golf and you get an offer telling you to stop by the clubhouse after the front nine and get a deal on drinks or food, the option is yours to accept or decline it," Crow said.
Moore's Mill, Auburn Links and the Auburn University Golf Club have already joined Verge Pipe by providing the Golf Joust app to their players. Crow's goal is to have 2000 participating courses by the end of June, a goal he is less than 100 away from.
Keeping things local, Crow looks to the services of Auburn University interns to help run his company. Interns range from liberal arts to engineering majors.
Elizabeth Weeks, May 2011 graduate in public relations, is one of seven interns from the University.
"I love the freedom and responsibility that Verge Pipe gives us," Weeks said. "It's nice because it is not vague busy work. We get real world experience out of the office, we got to go out to courses and talk to golfers for Golf Joust."
Fellow intern Grant Stewart, senior in public relations, said Verge Pipe's success as a local company is a testament to Auburn's impact on the mass media market.
"You mainly see this type of company in a place like Atlanta or New York," Stewart said. "I think the tech-savvy student population of Auburn makes this area a great place to grow and tap into the resources we have right here in our own backyard."
Verge Pipe is working to create a partnership with Bloodhound Bar & Restaurant for the Open Championship from July 19-22.
Crow said he wants to make the event a benefit for the Auburn and Opelika high school golf teams. Verge Pipe Media and Bloodhound are still working on details.
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