The Purple Bag Invitational

Objective: The Purple Bag Invite, a tournament based in Aberdeen, South Dakota, needed a website that would serve as a hub for tournament information, videos, and scoring history. The site’s primary goal was to provide essential details while emphasizing the fun and camaraderie of the event. The secondary goal was to ensure that visitors knew this tournament was about enjoying the game and not taking things too seriously.

Approach: I approached the design by capturing the tournament's core ethos—combining the structure of a professional golf tournament website with a fun, light-hearted twist. The design was modeled after other pro golf circuit websites but included unique elements that reflected the tournament's playful spirit and focus on camaraderie.

Design Elements: The design maintained a professional tournament appearance on the surface, with an underlying tone that conveyed the "don't take ourselves too seriously" attitude. Standout features included a private members-only section where participants could track old handicaps and scores, providing a historical record that added depth and continuity to the tournament experience.

User Experience (UX): To enhance the user experience, I ensured the site provided a seamless mobile experience, crucial for on-the-go access during the tournament. Additionally, the site’s app was tailored to function as a communication hub for the board of directors, allowing them to interact and plan much like a social media platform during the offseason. This feature fostered a sense of community and ongoing engagement among the tournament’s organizers.

Technical Details: The website was built on Wix, a platform chosen for its flexibility and the wide range of features it offers. This allowed the tournament organizers to easily manage and execute the event each year, with the capability to expand and add new functionalities as needed.

Results & Impact: The site has been instrumental in elevating the tournament to a new level after five years of the event. The creative approach and enhanced functionality have generated a renewed sense of excitement and anticipation each year. The website has effectively supported the tournament’s goals, creating a vibrant, engaging platform that resonates with its participants.

Collaboration & Feedback: The board of directors, who commissioned the website, have been extremely happy with the outcome. They continue to request updates and improvements each year, underscoring the website’s success in enhancing the overall tournament experience and ensuring its ongoing evolution.