UPPER ARLINGTON, Ohio — smbGOLF, parent company of Golf Course Technology Reviews and the Tech Caddie podcast, and the premier provider of data for the golf industry, is excited to announce the acquisition of the Internet Golf Database (IGDB) from Apparation LLC.
This acquisition will empower smbGOLF to further elevate the quality and depth of data available to its clients, making IGDB an even more robust tool for golf industry professionals and will enable Apparation to focus increased attention on its Software as a Service (SaaS) offerings.
The Internet Golf Database, which currently houses data on over 36,000 golf facilities, 39,000 golf courses, and more than 25,000 golf industry contacts, has been a cornerstone resource for golf businesses seeking accurate, reliable information. With the transition to smbGOLF’s management, users of the IGDB can expect enhanced data accuracy and new innovations designed to streamline access to critical insights.
This acquisition marks a pivotal moment for both smbGOLF and Apparation as they merge resources and expertise to create an even more valuable golf course and people database for the golf industry. Mike Hendrix, President of smbGOLF, commented on the acquisition:
“We are thrilled to welcome the IGDB into the smbGOLF family,” Hendrix said. “By integrating our data solutions with the IGDB, we have elevated the entire platform, ensuring golf industry businesses receive the most accurate and comprehensive information available.
“Our commitment to enhancing data quality will provide even greater value to our clients as they make decisions that impact their operations. This will allow us to put a greater focus on growing contact data and helping our customers improve their outbound communication endeavors.”
Mike Dickoff, CEO of Apparation and founder of IGDB, expressed his confidence in the partnership:
“The Internet Golf Database has been a passion project of mine for years, and I’m excited to see it grow under smbGOLF’s leadership,” Dickoff said. “With their resources and commitment to data accuracy, I’m confident that IGDB will reach new heights, providing the golf industry with the reliable data it needs to thrive.
“We have always strived to provide the most complete, accurate, accessible and useful source of golf course data and under this partnership the IGDB will be MORE complete, MORE accurate, MORE accessible and MORE useful.”
As part of the agreement, Apparation will collaborate with smbGOLF during a defined transition period, ensuring improved accuracy and depth on day one. During this period, both companies will work together to enhance the IGDB, focusing on a greater depth of data, adding more attributes to each golf course record, and eliminating stale or duplicate data.
smbGOLF’s advanced data technologies, including artificial intelligence and live data feeds, will play a crucial role in ensuring that IGDB’s data is continually updated with real-time information.
This acquisition also allows smbGOLF to expand its Data as a Service (DaaS) offerings, providing golf businesses with insights that are more actionable than ever before.
smbGOLF will assume full control and operating responsibilities of the IGDB. Golf industry professionals can expect a major refresh of the platform, featuring improved data accuracy, enhanced search capabilities, and a user-friendly interface.