Time Inc. has added Golf.com to its extensive portfolio for golf enthusiasts.
The addition will strengthen what the company says is the widest print and online reach in golf, one that already includes Golf Magazine, GolfOnline.com and SI.com Golf Plus.
Terms of the deal, which included the purchase of Golf.com and
SirenServe, Inc., the company that owned it, were not disclosed, though a
spokeswoman did say it plans to keep all of Golf.com’s staff and
immediately incorporate the site into its family of Web sites.
Time Inc.
acquired the company from a holding company owned by a consortium of owners
including its founders, NBC Universal, The New York
Times Company and private investors.
Golf.com will be run by the company’s Time4 Media division under Golf
Magazine publisher Chris Wightman. SirenServ’s founder and CEO Michael
Lazerow, 31, will become general manager of Golf.com and GolfOnline.
There are no plans to merge the sites, which will continue to operate
independently, according to the Time spokeswoman. Time claims there are over
100 million golf enthusiasts worldwide.
“The combination of Golf.com’s popular handicapping feature, the strong
service journalism of Golf Magazine and the news and
analysis of SportsIllustrated.com’s Golf Plus delivers the most complete
coverage of the game however fans and players demand it,” said John Squires,
co-chief operating officer of Time, in a statement.
Golf.com offers wide coverage of news and developments from the PGA,
LPGA, Champions’ and Nationwide tours, including hole-by-hole leader board
results, as well as extensive content for recreational players.
In addition to the free content, there is a fee-based membership program that allows eligible golfers to establish and maintain a USGA Handicap Index and track playing performances.