The Pellucid Perspective - November 2020 - 4

COURSE FINANCE
& ACCOUNTING

sive to problems - even if it is a problem on their own platforms.
According to Jay Eccleton, the problems appeared over Labor
Day weekend in early September. Ultimately, about $13,000 was
deducted from their bank account by Elavon/ETS. He contacted them and at least was able to determine that the charges were
traced to activity at his online store. He contacted the hosting
company, who in turn also contacted Elavon/ETS. Eccleton was
told the charges were valid and the hosting company was told it
was a security issue on their platform.
This initial stonewall from Elavon/ETS prompted Eccleton
and the hosting company to contact the NGCOA. The hosting
company was also able to screen capture the fraudulent activity
and determine that it was a breach of the secure payment process on the ETS platform after the " customer " left the left the
website for checkout. There was no vulnerability on the hosted
websites.
It was also determined that Elavon/ETS did not provide " velocity protection " that is a common security feature for many
online stores. This would have prevented the millions of " hits "
required to add up to the $428K of fraudulent charges. It gets
technical, but that " hack " was based on transaction charges of
only 8 cents each that are charged even when a credit card is
" declined. " It's also interesting that the hackers never got any
money - they were " testing " credit card numbers and Elavon/
ETS actually got to keep the resulting extra revenue.

With the situation " resolved " and refunds approved, there are
two major points to be made:
1.

2.

Without the advocacy provided by Jay Karen at the
NGCOA and his contacting of the highest echelons of
Elavon, US Bank and VISA management; this resolution would have been much more difficult. Each of the
affected courses would have had to fight the battle alone
- without the benefit of the NGCOA's position as a
respected national organization.
The hosting company stepped up as well in providing
their customers with the technical information necessary to prove the responsibility of Elavon/ETS that
finally prompted the refunds.

For any of our readers that are not members of the NGCOA,
this is a great example of the benefits and advocacy that they
provide. For those that are, it's additional validation for the value
membership brings. For those of us in the industry that don't
operate golf courses, it's a reason to support the NGCOA in any
way we can.
This situation also points out the need to pay closer attention
to your credit processing. At a time when processing costs are
rising due to " reward " cards and increased volumes of online payments; new and more secure options are available.
n

The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa
Savannah, Georgia

DISC OV ER

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Troon's collection of daily-fee, resort, private, and semi-private facilities
create memorable member and guest experiences at renowned clubs around
the world. By utilizing the professional expertise of our team and collaborating
with our clients, we reinvigorate golf courses and club communities, making
them relevant, healthy, and sustainable. To learn more, contact the Troon®

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business development team at 480.477.0505, or visit TROONMGT.COM.

4 THE PELLUCID PERSPECTIVE

NOVEMBER 2020


https://www.troon.com/management-services/

The Pellucid Perspective - November 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Pellucid Perspective - November 2020

TOC
Credit card fees scam exposed, NGCOA leads resolution
Can COVID dividend replace substantive historical industry subsidies?
TopGolf & Callaway; Marriage made in heaven or shotgun wedding?
Oct GPH post slight up, no barrier to continued success
Utilization was up double digits for 3rd consecutive month
#22 Philadelphia, PA; City of Brotherly Love (at least for golf)
11 Activities, a wild assortment of unusual transactions & Hail Marys
The Pellucid Perspective - November 2020 - TOC
The Pellucid Perspective - November 2020 - Credit card fees scam exposed, NGCOA leads resolution
The Pellucid Perspective - November 2020 - 3
The Pellucid Perspective - November 2020 - 4
The Pellucid Perspective - November 2020 - Can COVID dividend replace substantive historical industry subsidies?
The Pellucid Perspective - November 2020 - 6
The Pellucid Perspective - November 2020 - TopGolf & Callaway; Marriage made in heaven or shotgun wedding?
The Pellucid Perspective - November 2020 - 8
The Pellucid Perspective - November 2020 - 9
The Pellucid Perspective - November 2020 - Oct GPH post slight up, no barrier to continued success
The Pellucid Perspective - November 2020 - 11
The Pellucid Perspective - November 2020 - Utilization was up double digits for 3rd consecutive month
The Pellucid Perspective - November 2020 - 13
The Pellucid Perspective - November 2020 - #22 Philadelphia, PA; City of Brotherly Love (at least for golf)
The Pellucid Perspective - November 2020 - 15
The Pellucid Perspective - November 2020 - 11 Activities, a wild assortment of unusual transactions & Hail Marys
The Pellucid Perspective - November 2020 - 17
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