Great Oaks Country Club’s Dart League: A Bullseye for Member Experience

In the winter of 2018, just outside of Detroit, Michigan, a thrilling new activity burst onto the scene at Great Oak Country Club - capturing the hearts of members and soaring in popularity to rival even golf - the Great Oaks Dart League. 

Within only a few seasons, this dynamic, weekly league grew to attract over 130 enthusiastic members (self proclaimed ‘Dartists’) and now generates over $60,000 in league fees and food and beverage revenue every season.  The Great Oaks Dart League transformed the club’s traditionally quiet mid-January to mid-March period into a bustling period of excitement and camaraderie.

Shawn Schroeder, general manager at Great Oaks Country Club shares, “The dart league has been a game-changer for us.  It not only boosts revenue during the off-season, but also fosters connections among all demographics of our membership that last the whole calendar year.  The league significantly enhances the overall membership experience and drives member retention in a brand new way.”

The league’s success lies in its inclusive design; members can sign up as teams, or individually as a free agent.  The league plays a rapid format of darts which allows scheduling multiple rounds per night, with a handicapped scoring algorithm that levels the playing field for all skill levels.  “We wanted a format that was easy to follow and allowed everyone to compete fairly.  People who have never thrown a dart before are obsessed by the end of the first league night,” says Schroeder.  “Our maintenance staff built moveable stands for the dartboards and we offer a buffet dinner each league night so our clubhouse turns into a spectacle once a week, all winter.”

Member response has been overwhelmingly positive.  “The league quickly grew from just a handful of players in the initial season to over 130 players by last winter,” notes Schroeder.  The league’s founding member even went as far as to create a mobile app, Dart Genius, which manages the entire league, including scheduling, scoring, standings, and both team and individual statistics.  “This app has taken the administration from many hours each week, to just a couple of hours before the first league night.  Dart Genius has been a tremendous help.”

The Great Oaks Dart League has not only increased off-season revenue but has also become a vital part of the club’s social fabric.  “With over 30 percent membership participation, our dart league has been a fantastic way for members to get to know each other better,” says Schroeder. “It’s also become a great selling point when prospective members tour the facility. They fall in love with the idea of having a fun, engaging activity during the winter months.”

Word has gotten out and attracted attention from other clubs.  “We’ve had clubs from all over the country reach out for advice on starting their own dart league,” shares Schroeder.  “It’s a testament to the success and appeal of what we’ve created here. We even won a first place award for the idea at the Club Manager’s Association annual conference in Las Vegas earlier this year!”

Great Oaks Country Club’s dart league stands as a shining example of how innovative ideas can enhance member experience, foster community, and boost club operations. “We’ve hit the bullseye with this one,” says Schroeder with a smile. “The dart league has become an integral part of our club culture and a highlight of our year-round programming.

If you are interested to learn more about the league and to evaluate if starting one at your club would be beneficial, send a note to: [email protected]