FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
John Gilvary
510-771-4232
johng@usms.com

U.S. Merchant Systems Opens New Golftranz Division to Focus on Unique Needs of the Golf Industry

NEWARK, CA - March 22, 2004 - Spotting the unique payment processing needs of the golf industry, USMS CEO Stuart Rosenbaum opened a new division to focus on this vertical market.
When USMS studied various industries, searching for under-served segments, they spotted a gaping hole in the golf industry. There are some 40,000 golf courses, practice centers and off-course golf shops in the U.S.A. today. Most of these businesses are still operating like they did 20 years ago, and are missing out on the new processing technology that’ll help them survive and thrive in the new millennium.

Mr. Rosenbaum recruited Steve Fluke, a former golf professional who understands this market, to run the new Golftranz division. Mr. Fluke’s contacts extend throughout the golf industry and he envisions bringing new payment processing and business-building advantages to those golf entrepreneurs.

Mr. Fluke noted, "Most of the 40,000 golf businesses are still using archaic gift certificates-or nothing at all. In addition to helping them save money on their credit card and check processing, we are going to introduce them to the significant advantages of gift cards.” He plans to produce a golf-based gift card that will help both businesses and consumers. For example, anyone will be able to purchase a golf gift card for a friend, or relative, or client, located across town-or across the country. That card can be redeemed at local golf courses, even if the gift giver never sets foot in their recipient’s favorite local facility.

John Gilvary, VP of Marketing at U.S. Merchant Systems, concluded by saying "USMS and Golftranz is a great match-up for an under-served market. We are now able to serve a whole new industry in ways that go way beyond just bank card.”

For additional information, see www.golftranz.com.