Where has the time gone? Despite weather better suited to snowmobiling and pond hockey, this winter has kept me busier than the proverbial "one armed paper hanger!" Yet, as I sit and assist the few players who have come in to drop off their applications for the 2011 season, I find myself with time on my hands.......so much so that I can finally update the cyber world of the happenings at the MGA and with Doug Hoffmann.
Since the end of last year, I have had three HUGE website projects that have not given me much time to dream of warmer climates. (Good thing, too, as this March was not like last years!) It also is good that this wasn't a Rules change year; otherwise, I don't know how I could have finished the website stuff when taking a week to attend a workshop.
The first of the three projects deals with our online registration system. Launched today with the start of tournament registration, this system provides the end user a more efficient, user-friendly interface from which to enter MGA tournaments. However, I never stopped to consider the amount of work necessary to get something like this up and running.
The new system - TPP Online - is a product created by the USGA and its GHIN Handicap Department. We elected to use it after giving our Senior Tour a year to "test and destroy" it for us. It received high marks, so we started the adoption process in the fall. We also elected to change our ISP, through which our old online registration system was created. When we made the switch, our information went with it. Thus, we had to totally recreate everything. While getting new sites is a great thing, the learning curve in getting there was quite steep at the start.
The real test came when the applications started coming in just after midnight today. Despite some hiccups along the way, it has gone rather smoothly so far. As with most technology, a live test is often the best means to find the bugs (as long as the exterminator is nearby).
Next, as a parallel to the new registration system and website, we had to create new "landing pages" for all of our championships. I had hoped the developers would have a template in place so that I could have all landing pages live by April 1. Unfortunately, I think they found it more challenging than they expected, so that by the time I started creating the pages I didn't have much time. And, once again, the learning curve was steep. However, the new pages went "live" last night at 8:48 pm CDT. Check them out by clicking here.
The third leg of this process has been the new web-based Volunteer area for the MGA. Ultimately, this will provide our volunteers a "one-stop shop" for all of their involvement with the MGA. They will be able to completely manage their commitments with tournaments and committees, update their profile and search for other volunteers 24/7 and (likely) by using their phone.
Once again, the project has proven to be more difficult than previously expected. While I had hoped to have a full-blown landing page ready for every volunteer by today, we're not there. But, the sign-up page for tournaments will be going "live" any moment with the "My MGA Locker" coming soon thereafter. For the volunteers reading this, you will be receiving an email with your login credentials shortly. Thanks for your patience!
To quote Garrison Keillor, I hope this is "a quiet week at Lake Wobegon" as the Masters tees off on Thursday. "A Tradition Like None Other" is the unofficial start to the golf season, especially in Minnesota where we all are ready to get outside and try out our new equipment, swings or swing thoughts. I'm ready to be completely distracted by the beauty of the azaleas, the roar of the crowds coming through the pines and Sunday afternoon at the Masters!
Here's to seeing you on the course!
Until next time-
Doug
