Innovative Golf Venture is First to Empower Golf Courses with Broad Internet-Based Communications and Commerce Service.

Jack Nicklaus and Microsoft Corp. are Strategic Partners in Golfport

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- At a news conference held today at the PGA Show in Orlando, the management team of Golfport, Inc., (http://www.golfport.com) introduced a comprehensive Internet-based service that 'connects the dots' between players, courses, and vendors. Golfport, which has as its strategic partners golf legend Jack Nicklaus and technology giant Microsoft Corporation, has created a new standard in golf communications and commerce. The company offers a total solution to golf courses that allows them to provide highly-personalized service to their players and to join the revolution of small businesses that now utilize the Internet for procurement and operational tools. This solution is delivered through Golfport's proprietary Golf Commerce Pipeline(TM).

Golfport has already started connecting key golf courses across the country to the Golf Commerce Pipeline(TM), leveraging a seasoned management team that is rich in both golf and technology. The management team includes CEO Mark Haugejorde, former president of Ticketmaster Golf; President and COO Kennon Grose, former general manager for Microsoft's Industry Services Group; Co-Founder and Chief Internet Officer Ed Pattermann, former president and CEO of GolfWeb; Jeff Bliss, Chief Marketing Officer; Tony Scott, Chief Technology Officer; and Steve Holmes, Chief Financial Officer.

In addition to the strong team and strategic partners Jack Nicklaus and Microsoft, Golfport has attracted a premier Board of Directors, including Mike Gunn, EVP of Marketing and Planning for American Airlines; Peter Boit, VP of E-Commerce for Microsoft; and Mike Durham, former President and CEO of Sabre.

"This is the wave of the future for the game of golf," remarked company spokesperson Jack Nicklaus. "I hope to make people aware of Golfport and the services it delivers, not only to the golfer, but to the club and manufacturers as well."

Each club's website features personalized content and services such as club newsletters, event calendars, golf news, weather, merchandise, e-mail, and stock quotes. The website is accessible from a golfer's home, workplace or from participating golf shops, where it will extend the selection of apparel, equipment, and golf accessories beyond the available stock in the shop, empowering the golf pro to provide personalized service as well as competitive pricing and convenience.

"Our vision for Golfport was to be the first company in the golf industry to offer a comprehensive, end-to-end technology solution for golf courses," stated Golfport CEO Mark Haugejorde. "Developed in conjunction with Microsoft, the Golf Commerce Pipeline(TM) empowers the golf shop to extend personalized services to the players as well as meet the needs of the club management and the superintendent."

Golfport expects to be in more than 1500 leading U.S. courses by 2001 and plans rollouts in Europe and Asia.

About Golfport, Inc.

Golfport, Inc. specializes in providing an Internet-based, end-to-end communications and commerce solution to the golf industry. Founded in 1999, Golfport enjoys strategic partnerships with Jack Nicklaus and Microsoft Corp.