Customer Snapshot
Laredo Country Club is a premier private club in Laredo, Texas, renowned for its 18-hole championship golf course, extensive tennis and aquatics programs, fine dining, and large event facilities. For over 40 years, the club has served its members as a true “second home”; and a central hub for the community. Dedicated to upholding a legacy of distinction; Laredo Country Club recognized the need to modernize its technology infrastructure to meet and exceed contemporary member expectations.
The Challenge: A Disconnected Experience
For over two decades, Laredo Country Club relied on a legacy club management system, which was struggling to keep pace with the club’s growth and modern member needs. The club’s leadership identified three critical pain points:
- Fragmented Systems: The club’s systems were fragmented and did not communicate effectively, leading to operational bottlenecks.
- Outdated F&B Technology: The previous Point of Sale (POS) system was outdated, hindering staff’s ability to deliver prompt, efficient service—a critical component of the member experience.
- Data Inaccessibility: Accounting and management struggled to access real-time data, making essential tasks such as sales reporting and strategic decision-making manual and time-consuming.
Laredo Country Club determined that investing in a comprehensive, all-in-one software solution was necessary to future-proof the club for the next generation of members.
The Solution: A Unified Foundation
After a collaborative selection process involving the club’s board, management, and staff, Laredo Country Club selected the Northstar Complete Club Management Software Solution. They chose it specifically to replace the club’s disjointed systems with a single, cloud-based platform that integrates front-of-house service, member engagement, and back-office management.
The club focused on implementing key Northstar components, including the POS system, integrated member booking applications, and automated reporting dashboards. This transition ensured that Laredo Country Club’s new technology reflected its commitment to exceptional, modern service.
The Results: Elevated Service and Automated Efficiency
The implementation of Northstar led to immediate and measurable improvements across Laredo Country Club’s core departments, resulting in a more efficient operation and a significantly enhanced member experience.
1. Seamless Member Engagement
The Northstar platform provided club members with self-service tools that streamlined reservations and billing, fostering a greater sense of connectivity.
“This technology has created a seamless user experience. It helps members feel connected and comfortable engaging in everything we offer.”
— Horacio Fernandez, President
- Mobile Booking: Members gained the ability to book tee times, court reservations, clinics, and lessons directly via a mobile app, reducing reliance on front-desk staff.
- Convenience: The integration of member payment statements and booking history into a single interface created a cohesive user journey.
2. F&B Service Transformed
The transition to Northstar’s cloud-based POS and tablet ordering system dramatically accelerated service times and improved accuracy in the Magnolia Bar & Grille and The 19th Hole.
“The tablets have been a game changer…we can take orders anywhere. It’s saved minutes and transformed service. Honestly, it’s one of the best investments the club has made in a long time.
— Miguel Riojas, F&B Director
- Time Savings: Reduced order-to-kitchen time, allowing staff to focus more on member interaction and less on logistics.
- Menu Engineering: F&B management gained immediate access to sales reports and data, enabling them to make timely, informed decisions on menu adjustments and inventory.
3. Back-Office Automation and Support
The shift from manual data extraction to Northstar’s integrated reporting provided the accounting team with unprecedented clarity and efficiency.
“It’s always been about data. Before, it was hard to extract. Now, with Northstar, it’s automated — dashboards, scheduled reports, all right there when managers log in. And it’s cloud-based. I can access it anywhere from my iPad or laptop.”
— Rafael Romero, Accounting Administrator
- Real-Time Data: Management now uses automated dashboards for scheduled reports, providing immediate financial and operational oversight.
- 24/7 Reliability: Northstar’s dedicated support team provided a critical upgrade in operational assurance.
“Customer service is awesome. We can call 24-7. Before, if something broke on a Friday night, we wouldn’t hear back until Monday. Now? Immediate help. That’s huge.”
— Miguel Riojas, F&B Director
Conclusion
By partnering with Northstar, Laredo Country Club successfully moved past outdated, fragmented technology to implement a single, unified platform that serves as a solid foundation for future growth. The club has not only modernized its front-of-house service and administrative functions but has also ensured it can continue to deliver the exceptional “second home” experience its members expect for years to come.
“We are very fortunate and appreciative of our partnership with Northstar. It has given us the foundation to better serve our members. We’re excited for what this has been—and what it will be in the future.”
— Horacio Fernandez, President