WORLD HANDICAP SYSTEM Trusted supplier by Federations worldwide to provide tested and proven centralized handicap systems

The World Handicap System (WHS) is an initiative GolfBox has for many years been the cornerstone from the R&A and USGA designed to enable as of handicapping in Europe. GolfBox is the current many golfers as possible to obtain a handicap provider of the European Association (EGA) and use that handicap on any around Handicap System serving federations and golfers the world. An agreed method of maintaining in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, a handicap allows golfers to compete or play Latvia and Lithuania, and most recently signed new recreational golf with any other golfer on a level agreements with the Swiss Golf Federation and playing field. Bulgarian Golf Association to deliver their future World Handicap System which will fit directly into With this milestone agreement, GolfBox has in their current ecosystem. close conjunction with its many Federations customers developed software to enable an In addition, GolfBox have developed and serviced easy way to cope and implement the new the CONGU based central handicap databases in World Handicap System for all their federations both Scottish and Welsh Golf Union for many years golfers. The direct aim is to custom fit this crucial to ensure all necessary handicap data was secured component into the current technology ecosystem in a central place in an environment with over 10+ of the individual federation, no matter the current software suppliers. setup, which is different from country to country.

01 | ©2019 GolfBox an MSL Company Across the wider company, GolfBox is a part of MPower MSL, based in Australia. MSL delivers the Handicap System and is also implementing the WHS in Australia where it established a world first centralised golf handicap system 20 years ago.

Combined GolfBox and MSL has some of the world’s most experienced individuals in handicapping technology and through our established solutions and market opportunities we are widely considered the leading provider of handicapping services to national associations. The business has evolved to meet the changing needs of the golf market and has hit some key milestones, including the change to the rolling GolfBox and MSL sample method as a basis for handicap calculation in 2010 and the introduction of slope, equitable In 2016, GolfBox was acquired by MSL. Together stroke control (ESC) and daily scratch rating (DSR) these two companies are now one of the only in 2014. global providers in golf, with an enormous amount of domain knowledge and experience, MSL now have a commitment to deliver elements delivering solutions to 15+ golf federations and of the WHS to Golf Australia in early 2019 associations, globally servicing 1.5 million golfers with a complete roll out in line with the global and approximately 1,400 golf clubs in Europe implementation of WHS. and Australia with our handicapping and golf management solutions. GolfBox provides and services the Central Database of Handicaps (CDH) for many golf GolfBox have long standing relationships with the federations today and they will automatically be R&A, and are a major supplier of golf solutions upgraded to the new World Handicap System. to the Scandinavian market. They also work The worldwide tournament software success closely with the PGA’s of Europe and the PGA’s GolfBox have experienced in the past 10 years has of Denmark and Sweden to provide innovative provided a truly global footprint CDH for Denmark, solutions tailored to the golf industry. Finland and Norway. The reputation of GolfBox as being one of the most innovative companies MSL have delivered handicapping services for in the industry has been proven again and again. many years. In fact, MSL successfully delivered the From the early age of creating a truly based world’s first centralised golf handicapping system cloud software back in 2003 and again with their in 1999 which we have continued to evolve to meet instruction of their fully mobile friendly tournament the changing needs of Australian golf to this day. software in 2015.

“What resonated with us was that the expertise and experience of the team from GolfBox to fully understood our business challenges and technical requirements. We have a complex environment that is not as transparent as it could be. With the new centralised database, we will now have the ability to collect, store, transform and report consistently which will provide us with the insights required to continue to innovate and grow the game”

BARBARA ALBISETTI, General Secretary of the Swiss Golf Federation

02 | ©2019 GolfBox an MSL Company WHS Handicap Algorithms WHS APIs Combined GolfBox and MSL are at the forefront Our approach of using APIs and willingness to of world software providers with regards to integrate sets us apart from many other software the implementation of complex handicapping providers. We strive to implement systems that algorithms. We have implemented the European are minimally disruptive to the environment that Golf Association system, the GA Handicap System they’re deployed in. This has been proven by the (which is substantially similar to the WHS) as well fact that the implementation of handicapping as elements of the CONGU system and significant in our various countries are very different and elements of the USGA Handicap System. recently confirmed by the new agreement with Switzerland and Bulgaria. It is expected that there We are the only software provider in the world to will be more federations added to our WHS client guide a national body with a centralised handicap list in the near future. system through the transition from the incremental method of calculating handicaps (like that used by We wish to take advantage of any existing CONGU) to the rolling sample method used in IT investment in current software systems and the WHS. minimise the integration requirements and changes required of the broader golf IT ecosystem including the current software providers in the individual country.

THE WHS Moving to a new, unified handicap system for the world, administered locally by national associations

A single measure that represents golf ability A modern, adaptable worldwide, producing and easy to use system handicaps that are across worldwide truly portable golf cultures

Golfers can complete, or play socially, with anyone Consistent handicaps on a fair and equal basis for all players within a golf community

Diagram 1: http://www.usga.org/handicapping/world-handicap-system/WHS-resources/world-handicap-system-map.html

03 | ©2019 GolfBox an MSL Company SUMMARY We have laid out a comprehensive plan to implement the World Handicap System across our customer base and beyond. We can demonstrate how we will deliver a scalable, open solution that meets the needs of the players, clubs, and governing bodies.

We believe that we are the technology partner to • We have a deep understanding of, and positive deliver the WHS solution and this is why: working relationships with, golf’s governing bodies and handicapping authorities. • We have the technical knowledge, experience and scale to implement the WHS and CDH • We have a proven track record of supplying solutions in the time frames required. solutions that bring innovation, commercial opportunities and participation in the golf • We are at the forefront of the world in managing arena. centralised handicapping systems with complex algorithms. • We have a strong global golf presence with over 20 Danish staff based in Silkeborg and a further • We have a staunch affinity with those that 20 staff based in Australia. will need to integrate into a new centralised handicapping system. We would be very pleased to present our solution for the World Handicap System and the offer of a lasting and strategic technology partnership well into the future.

CONTACT CHRISTIAN FAERGEMANN International Business Development Director M: +45 2211 9444 T: +45 2173 4000 E: [email protected] www.mpowermsl.com

04 | ©2019 GolfBox an MSL Company