Golf Club Talk UK: Recent Episodes
Golf Radio Network
This show provides an entertaining and informative look at Golf Club life in the UK featuring the latest news and information. The show features interviews with the people that make things happen in the industry but also provides listeners with reviews of clubs that are at the top of their game.
Largely the show will be aimed at people working in the golf industry and who govern clubs. It will aim to provide best practices and take a positive and forward thinking look at where golf clubs are heading in the United Kingdom.
In this inspiring episode, Leighton is joined by Matt Bloor from England Golf and Becky Kirkby, a qualified Community Golf Instructor (CGI) at Stand Golf Club, Manchester. Together, they dive into the groundbreaking CGI programme – a vital initiative designed to introduce more people to golf and support the wider golfing community.
Summary of the conversation:
- Why the CGI programme was created and who’s been involved
- How the programme was designed and developed
- The ethos and format behind the training
- What CGIs can and can’t do – and how they complement PGA Members
- Can Community Golf Instructors be paid for their work?
- Becky’s journey: why she took the course, her experience, and proudest moment as a CGI
- Ongoing support and the role of the tutor network
- The R&A’s global rollout of the CGI programme
Want to Get Involved? We share details on course locations, costs, and how to book your place. If you’re listening from across the UK or further afield in GB&I – we’ve got you covered.
Whether you’re a club, coach, or aspiring CGI, this episode offers a fresh perspective on making golf more inclusive and accessible.
https://www.standgolfclub.co.uk/
https://www.englandgolf.org/community-golf-instructor
https://www.englandgolf.org/
www.golfclubtalk.uk
golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com
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In this insightful and thought-provoking episode of Golf Club Talk UK, we welcome Chuck Gallagher, a renowned expert in business ethics and leadership, to discuss the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the golf industry. From club management and member engagement to operational efficiencies, AI is rapidly changing how golf clubs operate. But with great technology comes great responsibility.
Leighton was fortunate to have seen Chuck delivering a session at the CMAA World Conference in February and agreeing to come on to GCTUK, Chuck shares his unique perspective, shaped by his personal journey through ethical challenges and redemption, on why ethical decision-making must remain at the forefront as golf clubs adopt new AI tools. He emphasizes the importance of transparency, accountability, and maintaining trust with members as technology becomes more integrated into daily operations.
Listeners will gain practical insights on:
- The key opportunities AI presents for golf clubs
- How to communicate to all ages and demographics of members
- Potential ethical pitfalls to watch out for
- How to balance innovation with integrity in club leadership
- Real-world examples and advice for responsible AI use
Chuck has a fun and engaging style and we're sure you'll love this episode. Whether you manage a golf club, work in the industry, or simply have an interest in AI and ethics, it offers valuable lessons for navigating the future through AI.
https://www.chuckgallagher.com/
Connect with Us:
- Instagram: @golfclubtalkuk
- Website: Golf Club Talk UK
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighton-walker-2708b627/
https://eddiebullockgolf.com/
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https://buymeacoffee.com/gctuk
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Panel Discussion Series Returns!
We’re excited to bring back our popular Panel Discussion episodes — and this time, it’s a special three-part series running over the next three months!
With thanks to Alastair Sinclair from PlayMoreGolf, we kick off the series with a deep dive into the Green Fee business, joined by a stellar panel of industry experts:
This Episode’s Panelists:
- Eddie Bullock – Eddie Bullock Golf Consultancy
- James Wilkinson – Albatross Digital
- Nick Eden – The Revenue Club
- Matt Roberts – 59 Club
The discussion begins with a look at some of the key performance numbers from the early part of the year — showing just how buoyant this area of the business currently is. But it’s not just about the data — we dig into the player experience too: 🟢 Are golfers leaving the course feeling better than when they arrived? 🟢 What are clubs doing to enhance that experience?
We also explore dynamic pricing, and how to avoid repeating past mistakes when it comes to discounting green fees. It’s a lively conversation packed with insights, strategies, and excellent takeaways from some of the most respected names in the game.
Coming Up:
- July – Membership models and trends
- August – The role of AI in golf
Tune in, take notes, and stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving golf industry!
https://www.playmore.golf/
https://eddiebullockgolf.com/
https://www.albatross.digital/
https://www.therevenueclub.co.uk/
https://www.59club.com/
Connect with Us:
- Instagram: @golfclubtalkuk
- Website: Golf Club Talk UK
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighton-walker-2708b627/
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In this episode, we’re joined by Cam Ackerman and Aaron Belcher, the talented duo behind Up River Golf Co. – a rising force in golf course videography. With a rapidly growing reputation for cinematic storytelling and stunning visuals, Up River produces high-quality films for both private clients and their YouTube audience.
Cam and Aaron share how they founded Up River and their passion for highlighting golf course architecture through compelling narratives. Their films don’t just show a course – they tell its story through the eyes of architects, superintendents, and those who live and breathe the game.
Featured projects include:
- Gamble Sands
- Mid Pines
- The Loop
- Chambers Bay
- Erin Hills – which will host the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open in late May, something their film proudly celebrates.
We dive into the of producing these films – from scouting the location to capturing highly effective drone footage – and hear about their favorite courses to date.
The Greenprint and Up River Golf Co. will continue to collaborate, and we’re excited to keep you updated on all their latest work.
Huge thanks to Cam and Aaron for joining us – and for continuing to raise the bar in golf storytelling.
Check out their incredible videos and subscribe to their YouTube channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/@UpRiverGolfCo
https://www.upriverfilmco.com/
https://www.golfclubtalk.uk/the-green-print/
https://www.instagram.com/thegreenprintgolf/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-greenprint-golf/?viewAsMember=true
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golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com
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On this episode of GCMA Insights, we're talking about Food & Beverage (F&B) operations at Golf Clubs. It's a wide ranging chat, based on some of the fundamentals and principles as well as a look at how clubs can do things better, while retaining that "service element"
Our guests are:
Steven Brown – F&B Consultant - Inn-Formation
Heather Moran – General Manager at La Moye Golf Club
Kevin Fish – Club Management Specialist at Contemporary Club Leadership
Guided by Leighton Walker, the guests look at the following:
- A snapshot of the current state of F&B in private clubs.
- Trends shaping club F&B and the wider hospitality sector.
- The practical realities of running an F&B operation within a private club setting, including member discounts. Members looking for a five star product at a one star price?
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The balancing act: delivering member satisfaction while maintaining healthy margins and profitability, and the Board's role in this.
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Why training for clubhouse staff has never been stronger – and what that training should look like in today’s best-run clubs.
- Why you need a F&B Strategy!
- The rise of customer service and member experience training
Don’t miss this episode if you’re a club GM, board member, or F&B manager seeking fresh insight or looking to boost profitability without sacrificing service.
https://www.inn-formation.co.uk/
CCL - Including Clubhouse Staff Training
https://www.lamoyegolfclub.co.uk/
Advanced Management Programme F&B Certificate
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golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com
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In this episode of Trending Topics, we're joined by Sarah Barter, Head of Handicapping & Course Rating at England Golf. Sarah offers an insightful look into England Golf's critical role in managing and supporting the World Handicap System (WHS) in England.
We explore how England Golf provides the WHS service under licence to golf clubs, offers general handicap assistance, and oversees a robust course rating system. Sarah also shares highlights from their recent nationwide WHS workshops, which underline the organization's strong commitment to supporting club volunteers.
Listen in as we dive into key stats around handicap indexes, average handicaps, and the growing number of iGolfers. Plus, Sarah emphasizes why keeping your course rating up-to-date is more important than ever.
Whether you're a club volunteer, player, or just curious about how handicapping works, this episode sets the scene and spotlights the comprehensive support available through England Golf.
Key Topics Covered:
- England Golf’s role in the World Handicap System
- How course rating impacts your game
- Supporting clubs and volunteers through education
- National statistics on handicaps and iGolfers
- Why maintaining course ratings matters
https://www.englandgolf.org/handicapping
Handicap Statistics - England Golf
https://www.englandgolf.org/
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golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com
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In this episode, Leighton is joined by renowned golf course architect Tim Lobb, founder of Lobb & Partners. The conversation charts Tim’s journey from his early days in Melbourne through pivotal roles at European Golf Design and Thompson, Perrett and Lobb, culminating in the launch of his own practice. Along the way, Tim shares how each phase of his career has informed his philosophy of working with the land, rather than imposing upon it.
We explore Lobb & Partners' international portfolio, with projects stretching from British Columbia to India, and delve into the nuances of designing for such diverse environments. A spotlight is also placed on their current work at West Hill, located in the historic Surrey Heathlands, where Leighton recently paid a visit.
The conversation also touches on Tim's pioneering efforts in emerging golf markets like Turkey and Egypt, and the promising future of India as the next major frontier in golf course development.
This is an insightful discussion with one of golf architecture’s most respected figures.
https://lobbandpartners.com/
https://www.golfclubtalk.uk/the-green-print/
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https://www.linkedin.com/company/106040189/admin/dashboard/
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Leighton & Eddie catch up for a chat and one of the topics is Eddie's recent presentation at the GCMA London & Home Counties Meeting.
Eddie then welcomes golf advocate and community builder Julie Walker, founder of Golfers Experience Consulting and Women on the Tee, a knowledge hub for womens golf. Julie talks about her passion for elevating the women’s game, the impact of the R&As Women in Golf Charter, the need for an equitable golf experience for anyone and everyone that plays golf, and through her latest initiative, the Golfers Experience, Julie is reshaping what it means to compete, connect, and grow in golf.
From grassroots to elite amateurs, Julie shares how she’s advocating for inclusive and memorable golf experiences for women at every level—on and off the course.
About Julie Walker:
Julie Walker is the founder of Golfers Experience Consulting, where she is reimagining how women engage with the game by blending competition, camaraderie, and personal growth. Julie brings her love for golf, business savvy, and inclusive vision to everything she does in the sport.
Julie is also the founder of Women on the Tee, a knowledge hub for women golfers, where women can learn about the rich history of womens golf, the rules, handicap system, joining a golf club and the golf experiences available to women golfers within and beyond golf clubs.
Websites:
https://golfersexperience.com/
Instagram: @womenonthetee
LinkedIn: Julie Walker
Connect with Us:
- Instagram: @golfclubtalkuk
- Website: Golf Club Talk UK
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighton-walker-2708b627/
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After a brief catch-up between Eddie and Leighton, Episode 117 dives into an important and challenging conversation about the underrepresentation of Black and ethnic minority communities in UK golf.
Leighton is joined by three powerful voices driving change in the sport:
- Julia Regis – Consultant and Board Member of England Golf
- Nicola Bennett – PGA Professional
- Randy Plowright – African Caribbean Golf Association
Together, they explore the barriers to participation and what it will take for golf—especially clubs—to become more intentional about creating welcoming and equitable environments for all players. The discussion blends personal experiences with practical initiatives aimed at promoting inclusion and boosting awareness.
This episode tackles a difficult issue with honesty and hope, showing how meaningful change is not only possible, but already underway.
https://nicolabennettofficial.com/golf
https://www.acga.co.uk/
https://www.juliaregis.com/
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighton-walker-2708b627/
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In this episode of GCMA Insights, the focus is on the upcoming Conference from 16th - 18th November 2025 at the stunning De Vere Cotswold Water Park, Wiltshire. 🌟
Now rebranded as the Golf Club Management Conference and Exhibition, the show appeals to anyone in Golf, not just GCMA members.
💡 What makes it unmissable? ✅ Game-changing insights from industry experts ✅ Dynamic & interactive sessions that tackle real-world challenges ✅ Networking opportunities with the best and brightest in golf club management
The show also centers aroud the theme of clubs and Managers being "Future Ready" through Strategy, Sustainability and Success!
Leighton is joined by Tom Brooke, Darren Wood and Gareth Morgan who talk us through the details of the show, education program and exhibition. There's also a deeper dive into the theme of "Future ready"!
Bookings are now open. Go to:
https://www.gcma.org.uk/conference-2025/
www.golfclubtalk.uk
https://www.instagram.com/golfclubtalkuk/
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In this episode, we're joined by golf course designer and builder Ryan Van Der Veen of Van Der Veen Designs.
Growing up in Indiana, Ryan entered the world of construction and design early on—launching his career under the legendary Pete Dye. His time with Dye laid the foundation for a hands-on, design-and-build approach that's remained with him throughout his career.
Ryan later joined Norman Designs, where he spent years refining his skills in construction, project management, and design across the globe. Eventually, his journey led him to Australia, where he's now based and continuing to make his mark.
We dive into Ryan’s current and upcoming projects, including:
- The nearly completed enhancement program at Glenelg Golf Club in South Australia, in collaboration with Neil Crafter
- A new project at Mollymook Golf Club in New South Wales
Ryan brings a calm and thoughtful perspective to the craft—shaped by decades of experience and a unique blend of tradition and innovation. There are some fantastic stories in this one, especially around his early days with Pete Dye and life on the road with international projects.
Whether you're into golf architecture, design philosophy, or just love a good behind-the-scenes story, this episode is for you.
🎧 Tune in and enjoy!
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-van-der-veen-b8698a215/
https://www.glenelggolf.com/cms/
https://www.mollymookgolf.com.au/
https://www.golfclubtalk.uk/the-green-print/
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In this episode, Leighton is joined by Mike Orloff from Golf Industry Central for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of club life in Australia and New Zealand. Together, they explore what clubs in the region are doing well, with a particular focus on cultural dynamics and modern approaches to governance. The focus is largely on then clubs in the middle and their need to develop and innovate.
One standout example of innovation is Palm Valley Resort in Queensland, a cutting-edge development that’s pushing the boundaries of traditional club offerings. Beyond championship golf, Palm Valley is making waves—literally—with the addition of a state-of-the-art wave pool, blending lifestyle, leisure, and sport in a way that reflects the future of resort-style club experiences.
The conversation also highlights the upcoming Field Trips initiative—an exciting series of immersive experiences designed to showcase best practices and spark new ideas. The series will kick off in Asia in April and expand to include destinations in the USA and New Zealand, offering club professionals a unique opportunity to attend education events and connect with peers from around the world.
It’s an engaging and informative listen with plenty of takeaways for anyone interested in the business of golf, hospitality, and club leadership.
https://www.golfindustrycentral.com.au/
www.golfclubtalk.uk
https://www.instagram.com/golfclubtalkuk/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighton-walker-2708b627/
In this episode, Leighton delves into the remarkable transformation of Basingstoke Golf Club, telling the story through the evolution of the course itself. What began as an ambitious project years ago saw the club make a bold move half a mile across the M3 to Dummer Golf Club. The transition included selling the original site for development and acquiring Dummer Golf Course, all while ensuring that the members always had a course to play on.
Scott and Bruce join Leighton to discuss the early challenges of this endeavor, including navigating planning hurdles, managing water resources, and crafting layouts that allowed for continuous play. They also talk about how they managed to preserve key elements of the old Dummer course while giving it a major facelift, modernizing the chalk downland course with dramatic improvements. The greens, in particular, stand out with their impressive movement and challenging pin placements.
Now entering its first full season, Scott is focused on making sure the course plays hard, fast, and in top condition.
This episode highlights how innovation, drive, and a clear vision can not only reshape a golf course but also secure the future of a beloved, long-standing club.
https://www.basingstokegolfclub.co.uk/
https://www.golfclubtalk.uk/the-green-print/
The Greenprint on Linkedin
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In this episode, Leighton & Eddie are joined by Phil Grice – industry veteran and founder of Custodian Golf and GC Media. With deep roots in golf club ownership, management (including the transformation of Royal Norwich), and leadership as former Chairman of the GCMA, Phil brings a data-driven lens to the future of club sustainability.
Phil shares insights into why data must lead decision-making and unpacks years of research identifying common traits of struggling clubs — insights that are helping others avoid the same pitfalls.
He also introduces his compelling analogy of “Lions, Meerkats & Ostriches” to describe leadership styles and behaviours within clubs — a must-hear framework for any club manager or board.
The conversation wraps with a look into technology in golf, and why clubs must embrace innovation to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry.
👉 Download the Custodian White Paper mentioned in the episode at:
https://www.custodiangolf.co.uk/
www.golfclubtalk.uk
golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com
https://www.instagram.com/golfclubtalkuk/
Follow our other show - The Greenprint, a podcast on Golf Courses.
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-greenprint/id1801777880
On this week's episode, Leighton & Eddie are joined by Kirsten Grobler from "The Social Kode." Kirsten, who has been working with Eddie and Leighton for some time now, specializes in helping businesses enhance their social media and marketing strategies. She shares insightful tips on how golf clubs can maximize their social media impact and tell compelling stories to engage their customers. Leighton also gives a shout out to the Over 35 Golf Tour. Details below.
Later, Eddie chats with Tom Scott, the General Manager of Harpenden Golf Club in Hertfordshire. As a member of the Millennial generation, Tom brings a fresh perspective to golf club management. He opens up about his career journey, how early experiences have shaped his decision-making, and offers valuable advice for anyone looking to break into Golf Club Management.
www.golfclubtalk.uk golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com https://www.instagram.com/golfclubtalkuk/ https://www.harpendengolfclub.co.uk/www.harpenden https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-social-kode/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsten-grobler-36683219b/ https://o35tour.com/
In this episode, Leighton and Tom Brooke (GCMA CEO) reflect on their recent experience at the London & Home Counties Regional Meeting, held at the newly transformed Basingstoke Golf Club. They explore the value of regional meetings for GCMA members, sharing insights from this specific gathering. The GCMA’s ongoing commitment to improving regional meetings for their members is also highlighted.
Leighton is then joined by Scott Patience and David Green to delve into the fascinating story behind the redevelopment of Basingstoke Golf Club. The conversation covers the disbanding of the original Basingstoke GC, the acquisition, and transformation of Dummer Golf Club into the new Basingstoke GC. Scott shares his experiences as GM during this transition, detailing the challenges faced and how the club evolved through the process.
David Green, the new GM, discusses his role in taking the club forward, and the team reflects on key topics such as people, culture, governance, and the determination required to pull off such a unique project.
Tune in for a rich discussion on leadership, change management, and the future of the golf industry.
Key Topics:
- The value of regional GCMA meetings
- The redevelopment journey of Basingstoke Golf Club
- Scott Patience’s role in the transition process
- Leadership, culture, and governance in golf clubs
- David Green's vision for the future of Basingstoke GC
Enjoy the conversation and gain insights into one of the most ambitious golf club transformations in recent memory!
www.gcma.org.uk
https://www.basingstokegolfclub.co.uk/
www.golfclubtalk.uk
golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com
Welcome to the first episode of The Greenprint! In this inaugural episode, we dive into the incredible story of Raglan Golf Club in Monmouthshire, Wales—a course that has truly risen from the ashes. After closing its doors following the COVID-19 pandemic, Raglan was purchased in early 2024 by a group hailing from Monmouthshire, and its rebirth is nothing short of inspiring.
Lucy, the driving force behind the revitalization, shares her journey in transforming the course from a state of disrepair to one that's ready to open in early April. From rebuilding greens to adding new tees and bunkers, Lucy has tackled every challenge, including restoring irrigation systems and improving drainage. She also discusses the agronomic hurdles of reopening a course after being closed for over two years, including selecting the right grass species for greens that were initially sown with fescue.
This episode is a fascinating look at how a struggling venue can be brought back to life with the right vision, support, and the dedication of passionate people. Tune in for an encouraging and insightful story of revival and community focus.
https://www.raglangolfclub.co.uk/
The Greenprint on Linkedin
https://www.instagram.com/thegreenprintuk/
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In this episode of Golf Club Talk UK, we’re thrilled to welcome Daniel Grieve, Head Professional at the prestigious Woburn Golf Club and a Master PGA Professional with a wealth of experience. Daniel has become a standout figure in the golfing world, particularly known for his innovative approach to the short game.
Eddie sits down with Daniel to discuss his impressive presence on social media, where he’s been sharing fresh, original techniques that are transforming how golfers approach their short game. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, Daniel’s philosophy is all about simplifying complex concepts and providing golfers with practical tools to elevate their skills.
Daniel’s system, which forms the basis of his widely praised book 3 Releases: The Short Game System, has helped golfers at every level gain a deeper understanding of the short game and improve their performance around the greens.
Eddie guides a fascinating conversation with an influential figure in the game.
https://dangrieve.com/3-releases-the-short-game-system/ https://dangrieve.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@DanGrieveGolf www.golfclubtalk.uk golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com
In this episode, we're thrilled to have Nathanael Pietrzak-Swirc, CEO of UGOLF in France, joining us. Nathanael (CCM) has built a stellar reputation in the golf industry and now leads UGOLF, a company specializing in the management and operation of golf courses on behalf of local authorities, associations, and private owners. UGOLF is uniquely positioned as the only operator expanding in both France and Spain.
With 58 locations across metropolitan and overseas France, 7 in Spain, and 1 in Rwanda, UGOLF continues to grow its footprint. This conversation delves into the current state of golf in France, UGOLF's efforts to increase participation through its Academy setup, and the company’s exciting plans for global expansion.
Tune in to hear about Nathanael's journey as well as the future of golf, UGOLF's innovative initiatives, and their vision for growth on the world stage!
https://jouer.golf/en/who-we-are/
Nathanael on Linkedin
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golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com
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In this episode, Leighton reflects on the recent Strategy Workshops hosted by England Golf, with the support of BIGGA, GCMA, and the Activation Project. He is joined by Matt Draper and Matt Bloor, who helped lead the workshops, to capture the key takeaways and insights shared during the sessions. They are also joined by Simon Gardner and Phil Davis of the Activation Project, who played an active role in facilitating these important discussions.
The workshops provided a comprehensive look at how golf clubs can build or evolve their strategic plans. The focus was on using data, consultation, and best practices to create a roadmap for success. The Activation Project shared a structured approach to developing these plans, emphasizing the importance of understanding where your club is now, and where it aims to be in the future.
Throughout the discussion, the panel explores how clubs can assess their current position and set realistic, impactful goals for the future. They also dive into the critical question of who should be involved in the planning process, from board members to staff, and how to foster collaboration and ownership across the club. Moreover, the conversation highlights the importance of maintaining momentum and ensuring the plan stays on track, even when challenges arise.
Whether you're in the early stages of developing a strategic plan or looking for ways to refine your current approach, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable advice for golf clubs looking to grow and evolve with purpose.
Check out the episode from July 2024 on the DNA report which captures data from clubs
https://golfclubtalkuk.libsyn.com/trending-topics-with-england-golf-dna-report
https://www.activationproject.org/
www.englandgolf.org
https://players1st.com/
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Leighton and Eddie catch up to discuss the current state of Golf Clubs, a look at CMAA World Conference and Eddie's week at AIMG in Montpelier. Leighton also explains that GCTUK will be commencing some international episodes in late March. In addition to this Leighton will be starting the new show soon - "The Greenprint", a podcast on Golf Courses including Architecture, Sustainability and Agronomy.
Leighton then joins James Caldwell (Head Professional) and David Addison (GM) of Barassie Golf Club. James has recently taken over as Head Professional following the tenure of a successful Professional. We talk about James' journey into the role and some of the things he will have to navigate as he sets up his business and looks to provide the best possible service to members and visitors of the club. David also gives a view on the decision making process in appointing James and the vision he has for success at Barassie.
It's a relaxed and informative chat and we wish James every success in his role at https://www.kbgc.co.uk/
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With the first four modules of the Advanced Management Programme completed, we catch up with four General Managers who were attendees on the respective courses. These are; Food & Beverage, Governance, Health & Safety and Marketing.
Gareth Morgan, Professional Development Manager for GCMA joins the discussion where we explore the learnings that have come out of the modules and how these can be applied back at club level. The guests also discuss the huge value in the networking and peer to peer connection.
A big thank you to all our guests and their clubs:
- Food & Beverage: Chris Cooper (GM at Shooters Hill GC)
- Governance: Chris Huggins (GM at Ferndown GC)
- Health & Safety: Claire Docker (GM at Robin Hood GC)
- Marketing: Roger Hyder (GM at Canterbury GC)
www.gcma.org.uk
www.golfclubtalk.uk
golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com
@golfclubtalkuk
On this episode of Trending Topics with England Golf, we spend some time with two of the England Golf board - Julia Regis and Jenny Denyer. The discussion looks to present a picture of the process of becoming a Director, what it's like to be on the board and the role itself and any specialised areas that each Director might take responsibility for.
Julia and Jenny give us an overview of their careers thus far and how that placed them nicely to help the strategic direction of England Golf. Both come from a leadership, coasching and performance angle and have performed roles on other Boards.
The conversation delves into some challenges facing Golf as a sport and how these might be approached. They include improving ethnic diversity in Golf and attracting more women and girls to the game. There's also a look at some of the great opportunities in front of the sport and how these can be exploited.
A great chat and thanks to Julia and Jenny for giving up their time.
https://www.englandgolf.org/
https://www.englandgolf.org/leadership-team
In this second of two episodes from the CMAA Conference, we bring you two insightful interviews recorded on-site. First, we sit down with James Burns and John McCormack of Club Benchmarking dive into the critical role of data, strategic planning, and capital planning for modern clubs. Then, Alex Woodward, CEO of Walton Heath, who shares his thoughts on leadership, service and high performance in the club industry.
While the conference serves as a backdrop, these discussions go beyond just the event—it’s about how clubs can thrive through better leadership, service standards, and long-term planning.
Guests:
- James Burns & John McCormack: Co-founders of Club Benchmarking, providing data-driven strategies to help clubs achieve financial success and operational excellence
- Alex Woodward: CEO of Walton Heath, one of the UK’s most prestigious golf clubs, sharing insights on high-performance leadership in the private club industry
Main Topics Discussed:
- The use of data in strategic planning and capital planning for clubs
- Best practices for club leaders to navigate financial challenges and long-term sustainability
- The role of benchmarking data in shaping effective operational strategies
- Leadership lessons from Alex Woodward on driving high-performance teams in the club industry.
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The importance of maintaining and improving service standards to ensure member satisfaction and retention
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Walton Heath: www.waltonheath.com
- Club Benchmarking: https://www.clubbenchmarking.eu/
We hope you enjoyed these valuable insights from the CMAA World Conference. Please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with colleagues in the club industry.
Contact Info: For questions, guest suggestions, or feedback, email us at golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com
www.golfclubtalk.uk Follow us on Instagram
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighton-walker-2708b627/
After a quick intro from Leighton, we have two interviews recorded at the Conference in Tampa, to give a flavour of this important event.
Michael Herd and Tom Wallace join from Kopplin, Kuebler and Wallace. There's discussion about KK&W's continuing expansion plans with a move into Australia and New Zealand, Tom and Michael explain why Managers should try and get to the Conference, as well as discussion on good governance, how to present your personal brand in the best way and what you can do as a leader to ensure people want to work with you. Big thanks to Michael and Tom for their ongoing support of GCTUK but also giving up their time at the show.
President and CEO of CMAA, Jeff Morgan then joins to give his perspective on the show, but also some of the numbers involved. This is Jeff's 11th conference as CEO, and the event continues to go from strength to strength. We discuss the CMAA's relationship with CMAE and the benefits of coming to conference and how these benefits can reach your club.
https://kkandw.com/international/
https://www.cmaa.org/
www.golfclubtalk.uk
https://www.instagram.com/golfclubtalkuk/
Don't forget our Management Field Trip at Princes and Royal Cinque Ports Golf Clubs on 26th, 27th March. For more details or to book click here - Management Field Trip
On this GCMA Insights we are joined by Gareth Morgan - Professional Development Manager (GCMA), Sean Boyle - GM, Chesterfield GC and James McLean - GM, Bognor Regis GC.
The conversation centres on a hot topic of how clubs are dealing with the increasing costs across many areas, particularly following the October budget. Significant rises on business rates, national insurance and minimum wage have brought challenges to all Golf clubs and we explore how to navigate those challenges. This may be a combination of cost control and increasing revenue and there's some great tips on both. That revenue may come from interneal or external sources.
Sean and James bring a wealth of experience and it's a great conversation.
www.gcma.org.uk
https://www.chesterfieldgolfclub.co.uk/
https://www.bognorgolfclub.co.uk/
Don't forget our Management Field Trip at Princes and Royal Cinque Ports Golf Clubs on 26th, 27th March. For more details or to book click here - Management Field Trip
On episode 110 of GCTUK, following a monthly catch up, Leighton and Eddie talk to Simon Hassall, Chairman of Haydock Park Golf Club. Haydock Park is a members club located in the North-west of England.
Simon, having come from a strong corporate background, has been in post for 3 years and he provides his views on the industry, but also how he approaches his role. Some of the other areas covered include; Being a director and how Simon views the Chairman role and the industry, how to take the best of the corporate world......into Golf clubs, use of data, challenges of keeping a Board focused on the right areas and what Haydock Park is doing to stay ahead of the curve.
https://www.haydockparkgc.co.uk/
Don't forget our Management Field Trip at Princes and Royal Cinque Ports Golf Clubs on 26th, 27th March. For more details or to book click here - Management Field Trip
www.golfclubtalk.uk
golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com
On the latest Trending Topics, we welcome Matt Draper and Mark Romasiuk from England Golf and David Hawkins, Secretary of the Bedfordshire Golf Union.
The discussion is all about mental health and how it can effect anyone in Golf Clubs, both Golfers and those working and volunteering in clubs. David explains why he has such a strong interest in this topic and why he became a mental health first aider and how he now leads a group of mental health first aiders. The three guests explain that it's down to all of us to look out for each other and try to recognise when something's not right.
England Golf will be launching its "Fore Your Mind" compaign in early February. Mark explains how it's designed to signpost both Golfers and Golf Clubs to the best place to receive advice and information. A really important topic and thanks to David for sharing his story.
https://www.englandgolf.org/
www.golfclubtalk.uk
golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com
Don't forget our Management Field Trip at Princes and Royal Cinque Ports Golf Clubs on 26th, 27th March. For more details or to book click here - Management Field Trip
A great interview on episode 109 with three outstanding younger managers joining Leighton. We meet James Brockington, GM at Henley GC, Molly Pavey, GM at Bramshaw, Poultons & Newark, and George Tunbridge, GM at St Enodoc. It's not all about their age though and the chat explores their entry into Golf Management and how they view the industry.
The wide range of clubs and ownership structures also provides a great perspective and the topics explored include mentorship, communication, investment, current challenges, particularly around cost pressures and how to engage your members. The industry is certainly in good hands and we thank the guests for their time and hope you enjoy an enlightening interview.
Don't forget our Management Field Trip at Princes and Royal Cinque Ports Golf Clubs on 26th, 27th March. For more details or to book click here - Management Field Trip
www.golfclubtalk.uk
golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com
As we conclude 2024, Leighton & Eddie catch up for a review of the events and trends of 2024, with a significant slant on investment at clubs and service standards and "experience" for members. There's also a look at the favourite episodes through the year. It's then on to a look at what might emerge in 2025.
Thanks to all listeners who have tuned in throughout the year. If you haven't already, please backtrack through previous epsiodes.
Eddie is then joined by Andrew Reynolds, who has recently retired as Head Professional of Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club - a true legend within the golf industry. Andrew's career began as a caddie at the local club, from there he shaped his pathway as a player, coach and retailer - Beyond his achievements, Andrew is a natural storyteller, whereby he shares some of the wisdom and experiences that have made him a cornerstone of the golf community .
Don't forget our Management Field Trip at Princes and Royal Cinque Ports Golf Clubs on 26th, 27th March. For more details or to book click here - Management Field Trip
www.golfclubtalk.uk
golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com
On the latest Trending Topics we welcome Matt Draper and delve into two vital areas of Golf Clubs - Safeguarding and Legal Compliance. The common theme through the discussions centre on good governance practices and having the necessary policies and procedures in place.
The safeguarding department at England Golf are there to educate and inform clubs around ways to keep their members safe, but also if an incident were to arise - they are there to help in a practical way. Petra Duvanna, Safeguarding Lead Officer, explains to listeners what safeguarding is and what clubs need to be aware of and look out for. She also talks through some examples of breeches and these quite often come down to bullying by others or harrassment by parents. There's also some great advice on how to report an incident.
David Walters, Legal & Compliance Officer, then talks us through some other areas of legal compliance for clubs and how to stay on the right side of the law! This is largely from an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion point of view, but this could also mean member discipline, employment law, health and safety and GDPR. Your EDI policy and Disciplinary Policy will be the guiding documents here.
A crucial listen for any Club Manager or someone who governs at a club.
https://www.englandgolf.org/safeguarding
https://www.englandgolf.org/legal
Golf Club Talk UK Management Field Trip - Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th March 2025.
Leighton is joined by Tom Brooke, Natalie McColl, Gareth Morgan and Darren Wood to take a look back at 2024. The review is carried out through the lens of the GCMA Strategic Plan and like all golf clubs should be doing - reviewing the objectives. After Tom gives an overview of the purpose, vision and values, we take a look at four key pillars of the plan:
- Membership and Membership Services
- Regional Development
- Professional Development
- Partnerships and Collaborations
There's also a brief glimpse into 2025 and some of the opportunities and challenges.
Save the date for your diary! November 16th - 18th 2025 - GCMA Conference. De Vere Cotswold Water Park.
Golf Club Talk UK Management Field Trip - Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th March 2025. GCMA members receive a £30 discount. Quote code "GCMAMEMBER"
www.gcma.org.uk
GCMA Strategic Plan
In episode 107, Leighton is joined by Nicole Wheatley for a chat, ;argely around the recent Women In Golf Awards. Nicole founded the Women in Golf Awards three years ago and it is going from strength to strength. The evening recognises those making a big contribution whether it be through playing or working in the different facets of the industry. The night is a celebration of Women in Golf and an event Nicole should be very proud of.
Bert Mackay, GM of Spey Bay Golf Club on the Moray Firth in Scotland. Spey Bay is a fascinating and very innovative facility. Purchased nearly two years ago on a crowd-funded basis, the club is looking to invest in its course and supporting facilities, while making it a very unique venue for people to play Golf or take part in many other activities. This will even include a reversable layout moving forward! The membership comes from far and wide and includes very local members as well as thousands of international members who enjoy not only Spey Bay but the many reciprocal venues in its scheme.
There's so many good things to take away from what's happening at Spey Bay and we hope you get a bit inspired!
https://womeningolfawards.co.uk/
https://www.links.golf/speybay
Don't forget our Management Field Trip at Princes and Royal Cinque Ports Golf Clubs on 26th, 27th March. For more details or to book click here - Management Field Trip
www.golfclubtalk.uk
golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com
Leighton is joined by Gavin Dear from Shot Scope. Gavin, hailing from Scotland, is a former European Tour and Challenge Tour player and has been with Shot Scope for nearly 10 years. Shot Scope are an innovative, forward thinking company who assist Golfers with game improving shot tracking. Gavin talks through how the technology can help Golfers but also how it can help clubs make better decisions on their Golf Course. With years of data gathered from Golf Courses in the UK and internantionally, this data can help with decisions around design, playability and safety.
Gavin also has some really insightful thoughts on the game of Golf and Golf Clubs in general having grown up with the game and now playing at Bathgate Golf Club on the outskirts of Edinburgh. This was a great discussion.
Check out what Shot Scope have to offer - https://shotscope.com/uk/
Don't forget our Management Field Trip at Princes and Royal Cinque Ports Golf Clubs on 26th, 27th March. For more details or to book click here - Management Field Trip
Thanks also to our show partner - Kopplin, Kuebler & Wallace
https://kkandw.com/international/
Leighton and Eddie catch up for their monthly chat and this includes some information on the upcoming "Management Field Trip" - March 26th, 27th at Royal Cinque Ports and Prince's Golf Clubs. See information below.
Eddie is then joined by Jonathan Gaunt, Golf Course Architect. Jonathan has been plying his trade in the UK and internationally for many years now and has gained an excellent reputation in the design world through Gaunt Golf Design. This includes a huge variety of course styles and courses with a deep history of design through the likes of MacKenzie, Colt and Braid. Starting his career in landscape architecture, Jonathan moved into an area of passion in Golf and the design of courses.
This is a good chat between two proud Yorkshiremen and Jonathan shares the story of his time in the industry.
https://www.gaunt-golf-design.com/about-us/
Management Field Trip information and booking link
www.golfclubtalk.uk
golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com
Thanks to our show partner - Kopplin, Kuebler & Wallace
https://kkandw.com/international/
On our latest Trending Topics with England Golf, we explore two key areas of its operations, Championships where we're joined by James Crampton and Rules, with Sam Barker-Sabido.
England Golf run many Championships throughout the year at all levels. James talks about what's involved in applying for an event, hosting an event and the benefits and positive side-effects that can come with hosting one of these tournaments. Not all championships are at elite level and EG also host many handicap events. Towards the end of the episode, we're joined by Simon Williams, GM of Sherwood Forest GC, to tell us what it's like to host an EG Championship. Sherwood Forest have hosted many and Simon gives the inside view, from a club that has done so.
Sam Barker-Sabido also talks to us about the importance of his role within England Golf and stresses why clubs need to continually educate their members on the rules of Golf and what to know when holding competitions. There are many initiatives to assist with Rules education both for Golfers and also those who want to take on a "Rules" role within their club.
https://www.englandgolf.org/rules-of-golf
https://www.englandgolf.org/2024-england-golf-events
https://www.sherwoodforestgolfclub.co.uk/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamescrampton122/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-barker-sabido-a39510153/
Episode 104 is a spotlight on a club that is doing things very well. Stoneham Golf Club, near Southampton in Hampshire is an excellent club with a Willie Park Jnr designed course. It's seen some rapid evolution over the last 5-10 years with a state-of-the-art practice facility designed and built, much work completed on the course and now a water storage reservoir being constructed. Othe plans may follow including clubhouse renovations.
More than jyst the physical work being carried out, much of the success of the club is down to good governance, but also the creativity and diligence of Matt Plested, Course Manager and Shah Bani-Sadr, General Manager. We talk to them both, on site and hear the story and thought processes that have led to the evolution of the club.
Well worth a listen for anyone looking for inspiration on what is possible.
https://www.stonehamgolfclub.org.uk/
Thanks to our show partner - Kopplin, Kuebler & Wallace
https://kkandw.com/international/
Episode 103 is the second part of our "state of the industry" round table chat with 6 industry experts from different fields. It was an extensive discussion and covered a wide range of crucial and relevant topics. This is part 2 and features discussion on; communication to your members, financial planning and sustainability, investment in your facilities, industry challenges, collaboration in our industry, future innovations and sharing data across the industry.
Thanks to Alastair Sinclair of Play More Golf for coming up with the concept and setting up the session.
The panellists are:
Alastair Sinclair - Play More Golf
Matt Roberts - 59 Club
James Wilkinson - Albatross
Stuart Gillett - Legacy Golf Advisors
Rob Corcoran - Revenue Club
Darren Redwood - Your Golf Marketing
Please feel free to give us your thoughts or open up some debate on what was discussed.
golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com
www.golfclubtalk.uk
Thanks to our show partner - Kopplin, Kuebler & Wallace
Contact Michael Herd for any of your recruitment needs - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-herd-2686598b/
It's the last of a series of four episodes on the recently launched - Advanced Management Programme, an exciting new education programme from the GCMA. Leighton is joined by Tom Brooke for a quick introduction before we hear about the two certificate modules in this Award, and why people working in the Golf industry need to get involved. The AMP can be complimentary to other forms of education and takes a deep dive into the key areas of managing a Golf Club or operation. The interviews and guests are:
Building Resilience & Managing Mental Health - Charlotte Wiseman (Charlotte Wiseman Leadership & Wellbeing)
Advanced Leadership and Emotional Intelligence - Biddy Lloyd-Jones & Keith Maynard (Progrezo)
Everything you need to know, including how to register, is right here:
https://www.gcma.org.uk/gcma-amp-certificates/
https://www.charlottewiseman.com/
https://www.progrezo.com/
Episode 102 features a fascinating "state of the industry" round table chat with 6 industry experts from different fields. It was an extensive discussion and covered a wide range of crucial topics. Due to the recording lasting 2 hours, we are splitting the recording into two parts. This is part 1 and features discussion on; the use of data for revenue generation, enhancing service standards in our industry, marketing, digital media and financial planning and sustainability.
Thanks to Alastair Sinclair of Play More Golf for coming up with the concept and setting up the session.
The panellists are:
Alastair Sinclair - Play More Golf
Matt Roberts - 59 Club
James Wilkinson - Albatross
Stuart Gillett - Legacy Golf Advisors
Rob Corcoran - Revenue Club
Darren Redwood - Your Golf Marketing
Please feel free to give us your thoughts or open up some debate on what was discussed.
golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com
www.golfclubtalk.uk
Thanks to our show partner - Kopplin, Kuebler & Wallace
Contact Michael Herd for any of your recruitment needs
It's the third of a series of four episodes on the recently launched - Advanced Management Programme, an exciting new education programme from the GCMA. Leighton is joined by Gareth Morgan for a quick introduction before we hear about two of the three certificate modules in this Award, and why people working in the Golf industry need to get involved. The AMP can be complimentary to other forms of education and takes a deep dive into the key areas of managing a Golf Club or operation. The interviews and guests are:
Health & Safety Management - Jason Peacock (ROSPA)
Employment Law - Carolyne Wahlen (Golf HR)
Everything you need to know, including how to register, is right here:
https://www.gcma.org.uk/gcma-amp-certificates/
ROSPA
Golf HR
It's the second of a series of four episodes on the recently launched - Advanced Management Programme, an exciting new education programme from the GCMA. Leighton is joined by Gareth Morgan for a quick introduction before we hear about the two certificate modules in this Award, and why people working in the Golf industry need to get involved. The AMP can be complimentary to other forms of education and takes a deep dive into the key areas of managing a Golf Club or operation. The interviews and guests are:
Governance - Kevin Fish (CCL)
Strategic Planning - Keving Fish (CCL)
Everything you need to know, including how to register, is right here:
https://www.gcma.org.uk/gcma-amp-certificates/
Leighton provides a brief update on what's happening at Golf Club Talk UK, including it's expansion into more podcast episodes, hosting and presenting and the upcoming Educational Filed Trips for Managers. These field trips will include two days of education, networking and a look at the Golf Course and the first one is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th March 2025 at Prince's GC and Royal Cinque Ports GC. More details released soon. We also mention Eddie's Leadership Institute. For more information check out the GCTUK events page:
https://www.golfclubtalk.uk/
We also thank our show partners:
https://kkandw.com/international/
Contact Michael Herd for more details.
https://toptracer.com/
Contact Rob Saunders for more details.
A big thank you to all of our listeners and there's plenty more content to come.
It's the first of a series of four episodes on the recently launched - Advanced Management Programme, an exciting new education programme from the GCMA. Leighton is joined by Tom Brooke for a quick introduction before we hear about the four certificate modules in this Award, and why people working in the Golf industry need to get involved. The AMP can be complimentary to other forms of education and takes a deep dive into the key areas of managing a Golf Club or operation. The interviews and guests are:
Food & Beverage Management - Kevin Fish (CCL)
Marketing Strategy - David Wheatley (Medi8)
Sales and Service Delivery - David Reeves and Matt Orwin (Promote Golf)
Golf Course Management for Golf Club Managers - Sami Strutt and Phil Helmn (Bernhards Academy)
For more information, visit:
https://www.gcma.org.uk/gcma-amp-certificates/
The latest episode of Trending Topics focuses on Sustainability but we do it through the lense of the recent England Golf Sustainability conference at Woodhall Spa.
Owen James and Caitlin Mcmillan rolled out a great day's education and thought leadership which included some key figures in the industry and this particular space. The event broke sustainabililty down into four main areas:
- Biodiversity
- Water Management
- Golf: Everyone's Game
- Innovation
Leighton and Owen run through the intent of the day and the episode is enhanced with contributions taken from panellists on the day. These included Marie Athorn of the RSPB/R&A Partnership, Alyson McKechin of Golfit! and Dr Mark Bloomfield of the Transformation Tour. Owen finishes by summarising some of the key outcomes.
Sustainability doesn't have to be confusing or overwhelming and England Golf can be a great resource as a starting point or guide on your journey.
https://www.englandgolf.org/sustainability/
We've reached 100!! It's our 100th episode of GCTUK.
After Leighton & Eddie catch up and look back at 100 episodes, Leighton is joined by Michael Herd, Head of International Search & Consulting - Kopplin, Kuebler & Wallace - our new show partner. Michael talks us through what's happening at KK&W, but also some current trends in recruitment including what recruiters should be thinking about, but we also take a look from a candidate point of view. What should you be doing to ensure you are the best chance of securing a role?
As we move into conference season with European Conference, BTME and CMAA Conference around the corner, there's a look at why you should be attending industry conferences and how you can get the best out of your time at the show.
Thanks to our show partners:
Toptracer
Kopplin, Kuebler & Wallace
Also, check out Eddie's Leadership Institute Seminar
Eddie Bullock Golf - Leadership Institute Seminar - Thursday 19th September
www.golfclubtalk.uk
The GCMA's new Advanced Management Program aimed at educating and developing Golf Club Managers - is on the verge of launching. Leighton is joined by Tom Brooke who talks about the motivations behind the program, what it is and why managers should take part. Gareth Morgan, who recently started in his role as Professional Development Manager, also joins the episode.
The program has been in the making for some time and the expertise of the education providers will make this a "must-do" for anyone looking to develop their Golf Club Management careers.
The official launch will take place on Tuesday 17th September.
Leighton then talks to to Gareth about his background leading into taking on the new role, but also his early priorities and future aspirations for where education and development may go for those in the Golf industry
For more information on the Advanced Management Program, please visit:
https://www.gcma.org.uk/advanced-management-programme/
The introductory session will take place on Tuesday 17 September at 2pm, and can be accessed using the link below. ATTEND NOW
Leighton & Eddie welcome Monique Landman-Bovenkamp of "Unchain People and Change" to the show. It's a warm and open discussion on Leaders bringing "heart and empathy" to their roles and clubs. Monique has worked inside and outside of Golf and has long pushed for heart in the boardroom with a view that we can't achieve the best results as organisations without it.
Is it time to move away from the ruthless, selfish and agressive style of the 2000's to a place where we lead with heart and in a safe culture where people are happy to speak, make mistakes and be creative? There's also some thinking from other industries that can be introduced to our industry.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquelandman/?originalSubdomain=nl
Thanks to our show partner:
https://toptracer.com/
Trending Topics with England Golf is back and on this episode we're talking about the Respect in Golf Campaign with Matt Draper, Ben White - Comms Director and Toni Shelbourn - Brand and Campaigns Manager.
This is a great initiative being led by England Golf and one that looks to improve the image of Golf through showing that Golf belongs to everyone. How do we make Golf a welcoming environment regardless of your background, age, race, gender, ability etc.
Golf can mean many things to many people and we explore how clubs can assist in projecting a more positive image of the game and hopefully along the way increasing participation.
https://www.englandgolf.org/respect-in-golf
A thought provoking, inspiring and relevant discussion this week where Leighton is joined by 5 women from different sectors of the Golf Industry:
Natalie McColl - Membership Services Manager - GCMA
Nicole Wheatley - Owner Medi8
Candi Watkins - General Manager - Sharpley Golf Club
Karen Drake - General Manager - Clevedon Golf Club
Claire Docker - Ganerel Manager - Robin Hood Golf Club
The discussion delves into what it's like to be a woman in the Golf industry. We operate in what is still a very male-dominated industry and there are many challenges to being a woman in this industry. Self-confidence and imposter syndrome can be issues, but sometimes it's the language and disrespect that can be damaging. Throw in physiological and life issues and it can often leave women feeling like they are on the back foot.
As well as looking at the challenges, we explore some of the great things that women bring to the industry such as empathy, calmness and lack of ego, and celebrate some good examples of overcoming adversity.
This was a fascinating conversation and we urge all listeners, particularly men to listen, be open, aware and take on board some of the points.
Nicole Wheatley also talks at the end of the show about the upcoming Women in Golf Awards on November 28th. https://womeningolfawards.co.uk/
www.gcma.org.uk
https://medi8ltd.co.uk/
https://www.sharpleygolf.co.uk/
https://www.clevedongolfclub.co.uk/
https://www.robinhoodgolfclub.co.uk/
Two interviews on episode 98 with Eddie talking to Matt Nicholson, owner and author at Golf News. Golf News is a dedicated Golf Newspaper in the UK and was started in 1994 by Matt. The publication continues to bring an unrivalled mix of club news, course reviews, exclusive player interviews, equipment reviews, travel features and competitions that has proved such a hit with golfers for the last 30 years. Matt talks through his time at Golf News and the game in general.
Leighton and Eddie are then joined by Alan Plumb, consultant in the valuation team at Savills, Leisure & Trading. Alan brings a wealth of experience to valuations of Golf properties, having worked with some of the best clubs in the country. The discussion looks at why Golf properties need to be valued, how they are valued, but also the motivations behind why someone might want to own a Golf property. An interesting chat and one we've not had before on GCTUK.
A big thank you to our show partner - Toptracer
https://toptracer.com/
https://golfnews.co.uk/author/matt-nicholson/
https://www.savills.co.uk/people/savills-oxford/alan-plumb.aspx
A recent workforce survey was carried out by Sporting Insights on the state of the Golf industry workforce. The survey, commissioned and supported by GCMA, R&A, BIGGA, England Golf, Wales Golf, Golf Ireland and Scottish Golf - provides a valuable insight and measure into the health of the workforce across multiple areas.
This information is key to employers, Golfing bodies and employees alike and John Bushell and Erica Healy talk us through the key findings from the report, with the assistance of Kevin Barker - R&A, Tom Brooke - GCMA and Jim Croxton - BIGGA.
A general discussion follows on some of the successes, challenges and opportunities around recruitment and people engagement. Listeners will benefit from viewing the report that accompanies and it can be viewed here
Thanks to all particpants for an informative and thought provoking discussion.
www.gcma.org.uk
www.bigga.org.uk
www.randa.org
https://www.sportinginsights.com/
WORKFORCE & FACILITIES RESEARCH PROJECT OVERVIEW APRIL 2024
Leighton is joined by Emma Ballard for a catch up on what's happening at Women & Golf and her take on Golf generally. Emma always has some insightful thoughts on the game and industry and she will also be up at the AIG Women's Open in late August for the last major of the year!
Rob Saunders then joins from our new show partner - Top Tracer! Top Tracer is revolutionising practice and game play on Driving Ranges and Rob discusses with Leighton the topic that Top Tracer can be for all facilities and clubs. There's conversation around how it can improve engagement, time spent on property, revenue and importantly - membership recruitment and retention. Top Tracer also had a strong presence at Royal Troon recently and Rob gives us the lowdown on the scale of this.
Top Tracer will become the standard in years to come, so is it a case of when as opposed to if your facility should be looking at it???
https://toptracer.com/
https://womenandgolf.com/
On this month's Trending Topics with England Golf, we welcome back Matt Draper and Gavin Anderson for a deep dive into their DNA report which was recently released.
The DNA report is a collection of statistics across many of the key areas of England Golf's remit and the landscape of Golf. The data is being collected on the ground via Club Support Officers as well as the central admin team.
In this chat we talk a little about how the report came about but then move onto the main areas such as; membership statistics, inclusivity, visitor Golf revenue, Golf Club workforce and sustainability.
These reports will be updated and produced more regularly goign forward and will be a useful tool in club's determining their strategy.
England Golf DNA Report
https://www.englandgolf.org/
We're joined by the Director of Sustainable Golf from the R&A, Daniel Lightfoot. Daniel who has an impressive resume from the Golf industry and greenkeeping, is currently at the forefront of promoting the R&A's vision for sustainable Golf. Working his way through the five pillars of sustainability for the R&A, Daniel breaks down the aims into simple terms.
On the eve of the Open Championship at Troon (where Daniel happens to be spending the week), the chat is timely and presents a great insight into his role and the subject of sustainability within Golf.
Are you a member of the GCMA? If not, join now:
www.gcma.org.uk
R&A Sustainable Golf
Golf Course 2030
In this episode we explore and celebrate the R&A Women in Golf Leadership programme. Leighton and Eddie are joined by four women from the industry who are either driving, mentoring or participating in the programme.
Jackie Davidson – Director of Golf Development at R&A
Vicky Cuming – Mentor/Coach
Bee Craft – Golfbreaks.com and delegate from previous cohort
Giulia Ferroni – Leeds Golf Design and delegate from current cohort
The conversation explores the motivations for setting up the programme, what’s involved, how it works and how women can get involved. The delegates tell their stories of success, discovery and how it’s being applied in their careers.
It’s quite an inspirational conversation and one that shines a light on a vital part of our industry.
https://www.randa.org/
www.golfbreaks.com
www.leedsgolfdesign.com
A big thank you to our partner – Top Tracer! www.toptracer.com
Visit our new website!:
www.golfclubtalk.uk
A really interesting conversation this week with Anna McLean (Crieff GC), David Gemmell (Brora GC) and David MacFarlane of Caddie Marketing. Crieff is located near Gleneagles and Brora near Royal Dornoch. The chat explores the benefits, downsides and opportunities of being located near a big Golfing venue which attracts a lot of tourist play. Over recent times, we've seen many courses across the UK benefit greatly from being near a Muirfield, St Andrews, Royal St Georges, Troon/Turnberry etc, but is it all it cracks up to be?
We explore how it can grow green fee revenue and improve capital project expenditure, but on the flip side - what knock on effect does that have to the culture and member experience.
David MacFarlane also talks about how clubs can positively use the opportunity to their benefit while also explaining what clubs should be doing in terms of positive promotion of their venue.
Thanks to Anna, David and David.
Check out Crieff, Brora and Caddie Marketing here:
https://crieffgolf.co.uk/
https://broragolfclub.co.uk/
https://caddiemarketing.co.uk/
Thanks to our partner - Leeds Golf Design
https://www.leedsgolfdesign.com/
In our first episode of Trending Topics, we welcome Matt Draper - Club, County, and Membership Director, Gavin Anderson - Club, County and Membership Operations Manager and Jeremy Tomlinson - CEO
Jeremy gives us his view on where England Golf sees itself currently as well as his thoughts on where the Golf industry sits. He also talks about the "Respect in Golf" campaign.
The team then introduce some of the key areas and people that will be built on and covered in future episodes, such as sustainability, respect in Golf, the independent Golfer and your club's governance to name a few.
If you know people that are governing at your club that would gain some benefit by listening, ask them to tune into future episodes, or to find out more visit the website.
https://www.englandgolf.org/
Eddie and Leighton catch up and amongst other topics, they discuss the success of Eddie's "Lunch & Learn" on World Environment Day.
Eddie then speaks to Kriss Akabusi - Commenwealth Games, European Championships, World Championship and Olympian athlete. Kriss shares his passion for golf , how the game has helped him from a mental health aspect, to his inner competitiveness and how he has also contributed some wise words for those in leadership positions. Tune in and enjoy how the words "I believe in you” signalled the direction to professional athletics, towards success as a motivational speaker and then how golf found him.
Leighton is then joined by Jim Croxton. It's been a while since the last BIGGA catch up and Jim gives us a "state of the nation" at BIGGA following a tough Winter, as well as talking about some of the current successes, challenges and opportunities facing the Greenkeeping industry. Always a good chat with Jim, enjoy!
https://www.akabusi.com/
https://www.bigga.org.uk/
Thanks to our partner - Giulia Ferroni at Leeds Golf Design
Mention Golf Club Talk UK to get your initial visit free!
https://www.leedsgolfdesign.com/
A snappy episode this month where we welcome Darren Wood from GCMA and Barry Ersoz from Energy Direct Group. Barry shares some great tips around Energy procurement and how to ensure youy're paying the best possible price, including being aware of commission! There's also some good tips on saving energy and therefore money at your facility, along with working towards carbon neutrality.
Barry also talks about renewable energy and how this can help clubs to save money now and in the longer term.
Gete more information here: https://energydirectgroup.com/
www.gcma.org.uk
A jam-packed episode! Leighton and Eddie catch up for a "what's happening" chat.
Leighton is then joined by Stuart Finlay, GM of Prestbury Golf Club in Cheshire. Stuart's appeared on the show previously when in his role at Radyr GC and we have followed hime through his management journey to Prestbury where he, and the club, are doing some good things. Stuart also talks openly about a real personal challenge he has had of late which puts Managing Golf clubs into perspective. Well worth a listen.
Denny Corby of the Private Club Radio podcast joins Leighton for an update on what's happening on PCR since Gabe handed over the reigns. There's a also a look into the US Golf Club scene in 2024. What are the trends, challenges and opportunities for clubs in the US that perhaps we can pull from here in the UK?
https://www.prestburygolfclub.com/#/
https://www.privateclubradio.com/
Thanks to our partner - Giulia Ferroni at Leeds Golf Design
https://www.leedsgolfdesign.com/
So we're 6 months on from a very successful GCMA conference and what have people taken away?? We get some great guests on to talk about their experience, highlights, but most importantly how they will take the knowledge and experience forward.
Leighton is joined by Tom Brooke (GCMA CEO), Kevin Fish of CCL, Sean Boyle (GM - Chesterfield GC) and Louis Booth (GM - Lincoln GC)
The knowledge gained from Conference only works when you put it into practice and there's some interesting conversation into how this can be done and some examples along the way.
Thanks to all guests.
www.gcma.org.uk
https://ccl.services/
https://www.lincolngc.co.uk/
https://www.chesterfieldgolfclub.co.uk/
Leighton is joined by Torbjorn (Toby) Johansson to get a "State of the nation" from Club Managers Association of Europe (CMAE) and what's happening with education. He also eludes to the CMAE conference coming up in London in September as well as an update on what's happening in Swedish Golf.
Eddie then finds out how Paul Jansen Golf Design and Himalayas Golf are diversifying on the shift with golf entertainment, in association with Dave Peltz. Paul also shares his career journey, growing up in South Africa working in the United States and now settled in Canada - his two secret golf destinations in the UK are ? Enjoy the listen
https://www.cmaeurope.org/
https://jansengolf.com/about
https://www.himalayasgolf.com/
Thanks to our partner - Leeds Golf Design
https://www.leedsgolfdesign.com/
After a catch up from Leighton & Eddie, Eddie has the pleasure of speaking to Iain Carter, Golf Correspondent at the BBC. Iain a speaker, writer and author has a fascinating take on Golf through his history around the game and up close with some of the best in the sport.
Iain has also released a new book - "Golf Wars". This is a story about LIV Golf's battle for power in the Golfing landscape, spotlighting some of the key players along the way. It also looks at how the PGA Tour fights back against LIV and how the saga is unfolding. A highly recommended read.
https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/golf-wars-9781399410168/
A book recommendation from Eddie:
https://www.unreasonablehospitality.com/
On this episode of GCMA Insights, Leighton talks to Darren Wood of GCMA and Alastair Sinclair of Play More Golf. The discussion is a "State of the nation" chat on where club membership sits currently, including the positive position a lot of clubs and venues still see themselves in as well as some possible impending challenges around cost of living, moving further away from the COVID boom and time challenges for people. Do clubs need to be quicker on their feet, adapt and be more flexible?? Listen here.
www.gcma.org.uk
https://playmoregolf.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alastairsinclair/
Eddie and Leighton catch up and amongst other things atlk about their trip to Broadstone GC and Leighton's visit to Golfit! in Scotland.
Leighton then talks to David Addison, GM of Kilmarnock (Barassie) or Barassie Links. This is an excellent club which happens to be nestled in some fine Golfing country, but is standing out in its own right. David talks about his journey, what he's doing to separate Barassie and how they'll join in the spirit of having the Open Chapmpionship 3 miles down the road in July.
https://www.broadstonegolfclub.com/
https://www.golf-it.com/
https://www.kbgc.co.uk/
We follow on the back of the recent England Golf/GCMA Governance Workshop series that moved around the country. Leighton is joined by some real thought leaders in the industry, Tom Brooke - GCMA, Matt Draper - England Golf and Amelia Lewis - Players 1st.
The discussion centres on a summary of five points that clubs should be thinking about to improve their governance or get their governance on the right track. It's a great chat with some really good areas covered such as the importance of good governance to your members, people being clear on roles, starting with reviewing your governance and "culture" at your club.
The Governance Blueprint is a further resource, so please check it out:
https://www.englandgolf.org/governance-blueprint
www.gcma.org.uk
www.englandgolf.org
https://www.players1st.golf/
After Leighton & Eddie have a monthly catch up, we roll into the first interview with Hugh Marr.
Hugh, a PGA Master Professional www.coacheducation-hughmarr.com shares his career journey with Eddie, coupled with how he views the future of coaching. Having had success with numerous players on the DP World Tour, to how he is creating a global coaching community hub.
Leighton is then joined by Michael Herd for a good old recruitment chat! Michael is not long in his role with Kopplin, Kuebler and Wallace (KKW), heading up their London office. The interview covers how people in the Golf industry can enhance their chances of getting a great role, finding a "good fit" and general trends in recruitment.
https://kkandw.com/international/
This episode of GCMA Insights focuses on people's personal finances and general wellbeing including GCMA member benefits.
Along with Natalie McColl from GCMA, Mark Burton joins us from MCB Financial Services to talk all things mortgages and income protection. This is a different area of exploration and moves us away from Golf conversation.....but a very important topic to everyone in the industry.
Tom Brooke then joins Leighton & Natalie to talk through the GCMA's new Legal Insurance benefit. A general discussion on wellbeing follows and in particular what Managers can and should be doing to look after their wellbeing.
www.gcma.org.uk
https://mcbfinancialservices.co.uk/
Eddie and Leighton catch up for a New Year chat and Eddie is then joined by Rachel Drummond - Golf Coach, Golf Presenter with the Legends Tour, former Ladies European Tour. Rachel shares her journey with some personal tragedies, her development into coaching at the contemporary facilities in Central London at The Pitch, while mixing it with her clients at St Georges Hill GC, and when diverse related opportunities are presented except and enjoy the journey.
Leighton then chats with Kevin Kennedy, GM of the Streamsong Resort in Florida - a stunning venue with 4 Golf Courses within striking distance of Tampa and Orlando. The three full length courses have been designed by Tom Doak, Gil Hanse and the Coore/Crenshaw firms. They are all modern gems and a lot of fun. These have been joined by "the Chain", a shorter course with no "Par" and designed to match the larger courses in quality of design. Kevin explains how he provides such a premier service to the guests, but also what it's like to work at such a venue. Leighton played the red and black courses, while catching up with friend of the pod - Gabe Aluisy
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-drummond-739ba838/?originalSubdomain=uk
https://www.streamsongresort.com/
Leighton is joined by Darren Wood of GCMA and Alistair Beggs, Head of Agronomy at R&A.
This is a really interesting discussion on how agronomists can help Golf Clubs navigate through the many challenges facing Greenkeeping and Golf Clubs currently. Alistair brings a vast experience to his role at the R&A and is building a strong team to provide solutions to Golf Clubs. Managers need to keep abreats of all the issues of which we talk through in this episode. This includes Trees, chemical use, climate and water use. A must listen.
R&A are now partners of GCMA and for more information click on the links below.
https://www.randa.org/en/articles/enhanced-agronomy-service-for-clubs-offered-by-the-r-a
https://www.gcma.org.uk/
Great episode this month with Leighton catching up with Nicole Wheatley of Medi8 and the Golf Marketing Hub. They talk Nicole's documentary, marketing, Women in Leadership Golf Program and the Women in Golf Awards, of which Nicole was the pioneer.
Leighton then speaks to Owen James, Sustainability Manager at England Golf. Owen always has great information delivered in an interesting way and following some recent conferences with BIGGA expands on current sustainability issues such as climate, water usage and use of chemicals. Water use in particular is coming onto the radar very fast and Owen explains what clubs need to be thinking about to get ahead of the game. Such important and relevant topics.
https://breakingwithtradition.co.uk/
https://www.golfmarketinghub.com/
https://medi8ltd.co.uk/
https://www.englandgolf.org/sustainability/
Having had some time away lately, Leighton & Eddie catch up for a chat and amongst other things - talk about Golf in South African and Tampa.
Leighton then sits down with Richard Pennell. Richard has been in the industry for some time, both on and off thne course having worked at severalk clubs through the Surrey area, including Secretary at Woking Golf Club. After a sabbatical, Richard rediscovered his love for Golf but also reignitied a passion for writing through his substack blog. This has even culminated in a book. Leighton & Richard also talk about some of the challenges of management and looking after yourself.
A really deep thinker, Richard is always a fascinating listen.
https://pitchmarks.substack.com/
https://pitchmarks.bigcartel.com/product/grass-routes-by-richard-pennell
Following a very successful 2023 GCMA Conference, we bring to you the "Meet the Board" session, which was recorded on the Monday morning of Conference. This was a chance to meet four of the board members - Ed Richardson, Kerry Alligan-Smith, Gareth Morgan and Scott Clark. The discussion covered their areas within the board but also their motivations for being a board member and what's involved. A big thanks to all those who give up their time, but also to everyone involved in organising a great conference.
www.gcma.org.uk
Tom Brooke joins Leighton for the last blast on Conference, why you should be going and if you are going, what to expect! There's a great line up of speakers and some cracking content, so book now if you haven't already.
Leighton is then joned by Kevin Fish, one of the keynote speakers, who builds on the benefits of attending conference and what delegates can gain through the fantastic content and networking opportunities. Kevin is always an entertaining listen. This is no different, but as always the advice is sound.
https://www.gcma.org.uk/news/gcma-2023-conference-register-now/
https://ccl.services/
Episode 84 features a great interview with Marcus Lovelock following a catch up from Eddie and Leighton.
Marcus is steering the ship as GM at Huntercombe Golf Club, an architectural gem in Oxfordshire and a club with a great history, but also a unique feel. There's some great take-aways in here in how he provides a first class experience for the members at Huntercombe, while bringing his team along with him. Marcus also talks us through what makes Huntercombe unique, not least the Willie Park designed Golf Course.
The interview provides a really relaxed and entertaining view on Golf Management, but also into what makes Marcus tick.
https://www.huntercombegolfclub.co.uk/
We're back for a date episode with Karen and Kevin from BRS. The positive trend continues despite some numbers being fractionally down, but the bottom line is.....people are still playing a lot of Golf!
There's discussion around using this data in your decision making, some questions around whether clubs need to look at member numbers if increasing rounds continues and also the Ryder Cup effect.
Important stuff for anyone managing clubs or Golf operations.
www.brsgolf.com
www.gcma.org.uk
Two insightful interviews this episode following a catch up from Leighton & Eddie.
Rob Spurrier joins Eddie and Leighton to talk about his journey with Orbis Golf Academies. Orbis operate Golf Academies, but also provide training and development to PGA Professionals. Their main aim is to grow club's revenue but also enhance the customer experience. The reveniue growth is driven by growing membership numbers. Rob is from the UK, but the company has seen great success in the US. Attention now turns to the UK & Europe.
Eddie is then joined by Eddie (Reid). Eddie is the Managing Director of TGI, a retail services group that helps PGA Professionals to succeed in their own businesses. After telling us a little about his own journey, sgtarting back in Glasgow, Eddie tells us how TGI has become so successful through supporting PGA Pro's for nearly 40 years!
https://orbisgolfacademies.com/
https://tgigolf.com/
Leighton is joined by Tom Brooke, Natalie McColl and Darren Wood from GCMA as they give a sort of state of the nation. Topics include membership initiatives, strategic plan, partnerships and topical matters in Management.
We then give an overview of why all GCMA Managers should be attending conference. A great line up of ky note and break out sessions has been organised, but also it's a great opportunity to network and share best practice with your peers. Should be a great few days!
https://www.gcma.org.uk/news/gcma-2023-conference-register-now/
Leighton and Eddie catch up briefly, where Eddie tells us about his recent visit to Marco Simone, venue for the Ryder Cup!
Giulia Ferroni or Leeds Golf Design is our first guest and someone who is starting to enhance her reputation as a Golf Course Architect in the UK and Italy. Giulia has been working with Cirencester Golf Club on a course improvement plan and is starting to work with other UK clubs, as well as assisting clubs with their GEO verification. Having worked under Martin Hawtree for five years, Giulia brings a refreshing approach to the industry and explains how she sees sustainability as a crucial ingredient for clubs moving forward.
Eddie is then joined by Ashley Pheasant, head of the Golf division of Darwin Golf Escapes, owners of three UK clubs including most recently, Dundonald Links in Ayrshire. Initially from a strong Golfing background, Ashley is guiding Darwin Golf Escapes through a period of growth and building on its Golf portfolio.
https://www.leedsgolfdesign.com/
https://darwinescapes.co.uk/golf/
On this little in-between episode, we're lucky to be joined by Alex Woodward to give us a unique insight into what goes into preparations for the AIG Women's Open at Walton Heath. Alex provides some information on how Walton Heath came to host the Open, the preparation involved, working with the R&A and how the members are helping to make it a great experience.
Thanks to Alex and we wish him luck for the event!
https://www.aigwomensopen.com/
https://www.waltonheath.com/
On our latest GCMA Insights on Golf Club Talk UK, Karen and Kevin are back from BRS to give us an update on what the numbers are saying at the end of quarter 2. There's a look at member rounds played, membership numbers and visitor Golf through Golfnow. Some very surprising numbers in there!!
Karen also talks us through the results from the recent Golfnow player survey which gives some good analysis on trends for when people are playing, where people are playing and how much they're spending. All valuable stuff for Golf Club operators!
https://www.brsgolf.com/web/blog/
Visit the GCMA website for details on why you should be a member:
www.gcma.org.uk
Eddie and Leighton catch up for a chat on several topics, including culture at Golf Clubs as well as Golf Retail and ways of doing it differently.
Retail is the theme for the show as Eddie then shares time with Paul McEvoy , who is the Head Professional at Burnley Golf Club. Paul also has three other retails outlets - ‘McEvoy Golf Shops', based at golf clubs in close proximity to the M65 corridor, where he also operates Elite Golf Performance Centres. Paul shares his entrepreneurial flare and the importance of creating a trusting customer experience . Paul is also a PGA Board member.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-mcevoy-77487520/
In this episode of GCMA Insights, we have four guests who dive into the latest iteration of the Golf Governance Guide. Tom Brooke - CEO, GCMA, Jerry Kilby - Kanda Golf, Gavin Anderson and Matt Draper of England Golf explain why clubs should be using this as a valuable tool to ensure their club's Governance is in the right place.
The fours elements of good club governnace - Recruitment, Structure, Processes and Culture break it down nicely and Managers can really benefit from having this framework and being able to nudge their Committees/Boards.
A great listen for anyone in our industry!
www.gcma.org.uk
https://kandagolf.com/
Golf Governance Guide
After Leighton & Eddie have a catch up they are both joined by Andy Laing - Course Manager, transitioning into General Manager at Gaudet Luce Golf Club in Worcestershire. Gaudet Luce hosetd the recent GCTUK Golf Day and there's a lot to like about this unique venue. Andy tells us about it, but also his own personal role at the club.
Eddie is then joined by Chris Cuttler - Managing/Secretary at Dore & Totley GC. Chris talks with Golf Club Talk UK and shares some of the challenges and directs some personal points with regard to the challenges of operating a modest members club.
https://www.gaudet-luce.co.uk/
https://www.doreandtotleygolfclub.co.uk/
Really interesting look into what clubs might be able to do with surplus land in this episode of GCMA Insights.
Leighton is joined by James Podesta of STRI and James has a strong background in development, but the focus of this chat is around ecologically improving your site, where this might also have financial benefits. This might even include dipping into Biodiversity net credits! Please have a listen and get a preview into a fascinating subject and something we'll be hearing plenty more about into the future.
www.gcma.org.uk
https://strigroup.com/
Our April episode of GCMA Insights and Leighton starts by catching up with Tom Brooke, CEO of GCMA. Tom provides an update on all happenings at the assosication and we recommend you visit the website for more details:
www.gcma.org.uk
Karen and Kevin then join Leighton for their quarterly look at the numbers. This includes rounds played and membership numbers. This is always really informative and should provide listeners with some great information and direction on playing trends. More details here:
https://www.brsgolf.com/web/blog/
www.brsgolf.co.uk
After Leighton and Eddie catch up for a quick chat, Eddie is Joined by "Jazzy Golfer". Jasmine- AKA Jazzy Golfer, is all about getting more women and girls into Golf, while improving her own game along the way. Jazzy is an entrepeneur, content creater and presenter and her views are enlightening and will hopefully inspire not only women, but all those in the industry. It's a great conversation.
Find out more here:
https://www.thejazzygolfer.com/
Episode 77 features an interview with Russell Stebbings, GM at Frilford Heath in Oxfordshire.
Russell, CCM talks to Leighton about many topics including his club, projects happening there, his ethos in management and his recent experience in Orlando for the World Conference. Russell is a great operator with a wealth of experience and some of his thought leadership make this a fascinating listen.
https://www.frilfordheath.co.uk/
Don't forget to enter our Golf Club Talk UK Golf Day in support of Afriyea Golf Academy!
Wednesday 10th May
Gaudet Luce Golf Club - Worcestershire
First tee time – 11:00am (max 45 players)
3 Ball format with Team and Individual Prizes
£45 per person
Day includes: Coffee & Bacon Roll on Arrival18 Holes, 2 Course Meal afterwards with Prize Presentation
Email: golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com
Tom Brooke (CEO - GCMA) joins Leighton to give an update on the successful accreditation scheme launched in 2022, and now with over 45 Managers accredited.
Leighton & Tom are also joined by four accredited people from the industry across the four levels; Rob Climas - North Hants GC, John Jackson - Haydock Park GC, Reece Mayberry - Caldecott Hall and Matt Hart - Hythe GC. The guests give the reasons and benefits of becoming accredited and also their views on the industry and where it's going.
Find out more information by tuning in, or click here for more details:
https://www.gcma.org.uk/gcma-accreditation/
Ryan and Edward talk us through the significant restoration that is taking place at the Addington Golf Club in London. What was arguably the most notable course in the Country between the two World Wars, was left untouched for a long time before the Altonwood group took it over in more recent times. Ryan and Edward talk us through the why, what and how of the changes and how they've uncovered some gems along the way. Edwards also gives us an update as to what CDP (Clayton Devries and Pont) are up to.
https://addingtongolf.com/
http://www.cdpgolf.com/
Leighton & Eddie catch up for their monthly chat, but this time they are joined by Isaiah Mwisege, CEO of Afriyea Golf Academy, who is currently spending a few months studying in Salford, Manchester. Isaiah gives us a quick overview of why he is here, but also what is happening with Afriyea Golf Academy in Fort Portal, Uganda. He also explains that he is keen to catch up with any of his UK contacts while in the country.
Eddie then has a great discussion with Reeves Weedon. Reeves has a diverse experience within golf, following an outstanding amateur career then becoming Head Professional at Harstbourne Golf & Country Club mainly focusing on his coaching and membership experience. Reeves has become widely recognised as an authority of assisting golfers with back concerns.
Reeves shares his research into the modern golf swing - having studied the challenges of golfers with back ailments and he has arrived at a discovery point where he identifies flaws in the modern swing approach, whereby creating 'The Weedon's Way’ in how to develop the sustainable golf swing. https://afriyeagolfacademy.com/ https://weedonsway.com/
In this episode we revisit the highly regarded GCMA Mentor Program that's been running since early 2022. After an introduction with Tom Brooke, CEO of the GCMA, Leighton is joined by two mentors and two mentees to talk about their experience so far. Guests include:
MENTORS
Scott Clark - Boyce Hill Golf Club
Richard Penley-Martin - Denham Golf Club
MENTEES
Owain Hoskins - Olton Golf Club
Jonathan Pearson - Horsforth Golf Club
The guests illustrate how successful the program has been so far and they share some of the things they have learned through the process. All of the guests would certainly recommend the program to anyone in the industry.
Applications are now open for new mentees, so get involved! Click below for more information:
https://www.gcma.org.uk/news/gcma-mentor-returns-for-2023/
www.gcma.org.uk
After Leighton and Eddie catch up for a January debrief, Leighton is joined by Sandy Jamieson for a fascinating chat. Sandy is located in Melbourne Australia and is the creater of 1Club Golf, a great way to learn the game of Golf.
Sandy has previously worked as a Coach to PGA Tour players, including Robert Allenby but after a move back to Australia wanted to shift the motive to introducing more people to the game in a easy, fun and affordable way!......Hence 1Club Golf.
Listen to how Sandy has introduced 1Club Golf, but also his views on participation generally and how we have perhaps missed some key markets in our promotion of "Growing the game". Can we also shift some of the preconceptions on learning Golf?
https://www.1club.golf/
Thanks to our sponsors - www.brsgolf.com
It's time for a look at what the date is saying on participation and membership as we complete 2022. This is where we really start to get a look at comparisons year on year. It appears that numbers are still strong in 2022 and well beyond 2019 figures but are they better than 2021?? Tune in to find out where we are and make sure you're keeping in touch and relating things back to your own club.
Cross reference with the documents below also:
Participation Report 2022
Record rounds in 2022
www.brsgolf.co.uk
www.gcma.org.uk
It's the last episode for 2022 so Leighton and Eddie have a catch up and review to talk about things that have happened throughout the year but also look at some possible directions the industry might take in 2023. There's some chat on hot topics, reminders of favourite episodes and a couple of predictions. Have a listen and let us have any feedback, comments or suggestions on golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com
Thanks as always to our sponsors BRS Golf - www.brsgolf.com
https://eddiebullockgolf.com/
Two interviews on this episode and firstly - Richard Weeks. Richard is the Managing Secretary, Alwoodley Golf Club - Richard joins Golf Club Talk UK and shares his successful career trajectory - starting from his development as a PGA member - having position experiences at Fulford Golf Cub, The Berkshire, Roehampton Club then into the commercial golf operational sector at Hunley Hotel & Golf Club to his current role at Alwoodley Golf Club. There's some great advice and insights.
In another of our interviews with people from the UK who have moved their careers overseas, Leighton is joined by Lee Strutt, Director of Agronomy at Cabot Cape Breton in Nova Scotia, Canada. This is a fantastic destination that has two outstanding courses and Lee talks us through his journey to get there. This also included a stop in Les Bordes, France. There's some great tips on moving abroad but also some inspiring thoughts on chasing your goals.
https://alwoodleygolfclub.com/
https://cabotcapebreton.com/golf
Lee Strutt - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-strutt-b406b134/
Thanks as always to our sponsors BRS Golf - www.brsgolf.com
Amidst everything that's happening currently with inflation and cost of living pressures, Leighton and Tom Brooke are joined by three experts from then industry who deal with membership in various ways. From thinking on subscription increases, how you can defend yourself with better retention and recruitment to flexible membership solutions, the guests have a detailed discussion and there's some great advice in there. There's also a strong emphasis on knowing your club, using data and making decisions based on this information. Thanks to all our guests.
GCMA - https://www.gcma.org.uk/
Inicio Solutions - https://www.iniciosolutions.co.uk/
Play More Golf - https://www.playmore.golf/
Fairway Credit - https://www.premiumcredit.com/products/fairway-credit---member
Leighton & Eddie have a catch up on a few points including leadership!
Leighton is then joined by Nicole Wheatley of Medi8 and the Golf Marketing Hub. Nicole has been a real trailblazer in the golf marketing space and has helped many big brands and clubs increase their presence. The Golf Marketing Hub is a newer initiative which gives peopel working at clubs tools and templates to help them market effectively. Nicole's journey and story is a really interesting one.
We then kick off our mini-series on UK Golf Industry folk who have taken their careers overseas. John Caven of St Georges in Toronto, Canada leads us off. John worked at clubs in teh UK, including Loch Lomond before an opportunity arose at Oakdale Country Club in Toronto. John explains the challenges, successes and benefits of making this brave move with his family.
Thanks to our sponsor BRS - https://www.brsgolf.com/web/
Medi8 Golf - https://medi8ltd.co.uk/
The Golf Marketing Hub - https://www.golfmarketinghub.com/
St Georges Golf & Country Club - http://www.stgeorges.org/index.html
Peter Allis - Reflections on a life well lived https://www.waterstones.com/book/peter-alliss-reflections-on-a-life-well-lived/peter-alliss/9781782817949
In conjunction with the GCMA, we're back with our Q3 Particpation data episode. Kevin and Karen join us to update the listeners on member and visitor participation from July to September. It reveals some very interesting and positive numbers but can also be vital in steering club's direction. Membership will become vital in 2023 as will filling space on tee sheets and having this data at your fingertips can help drive decision making.
Read more here
BRS Golf - https://www.brsgolf.com/web/
GCMA - https://www.gcma.org.uk/
Leighton & Eddie kick off with a catch up. There's some interesting discussion around labour challenges, the current cost of living situation and how having a solid strategy will help. Eddie then shares time with the current Captain of The PGA of Great Britain & Ireland, Sarah Bennett - Sarah explains the journeys she has experienced during her fruitful career during her time on the Ladies European Tour to the pinnacle of her career as PGA Captain - ’the old oak tree was the start'. A good chat with a great person within our industry. https://www.sarahbennettgolf.co.uk/ Thanks to our sponsor BRS Golf: https://www.brsgolf.com/web/
On this month's episode of GCMA Insights on Golf Club Talk UK, we talk about the very relevant and real issue of the labour shortage, not just in Golf but in the wider business world. Recruiting and retaining staff has become more difficult for many reasons and our panel of guests explore what the issues are and how clubs can help themselves in recruiting good staff.
The panel includes Gareth Morgan - GM at Long Ashton GC and Board member of GCMA, Steve Lloyd - Course Manager at The Worcestershire and Chairman of BIGGA, Jim Croxton - CEO of BIGGA and Michael Herd - Managing Consultant at Colt McKenzie McNair.
The discussion covers; providing the right salaries and benefits to attract staff, providing the right conditions and environment and ensuring you have the right governance.
This is a must listen for anyone facing issues in recruitment and retention.
https://www.gcma.org.uk/
https://www.bigga.org.uk/
https://coltmm.com/
Leighton and Eddie have their monthly catch up followed by two interviews.
Eddie speaks to Kevin Murray of Kevin Murray Golf Photography. Kevin has a long history in providing some of the most stunning Golf photography in the game. The total of courses shot, tallies around 450 and this is not just UK based but globally and includes players as well as courses. Eddie explores Kevin's journey and how he comes up with some of these great images.
Leighton is then joined by Rob Bristow of Booth Golf & Leisure. Booth design, plan and build Golf spaces (as well as other leisure) through landform or what we might have previously known as landfill. These are often re-invented spaces and can include Practice areas as well as full Golf Courses. Leighton and Rob have a fascinating discussion which includes topics such as mixed use for Golf Courses, enhancing flora and fauna and the Biodiversity net gain scheme (yes, check this scheme out!). Well worth a listen.
https://www.kevinmurraygolfphotography.com/
https://boothgolfandleisure.co.uk/
Thanks to our sponsors BRS Golf!
https://www.brsgolf.com/web/
While talking about Governance might not float everyone's boat, it can be a fascinating subject and so crucial to everything we do as people working in the Golf industry.
Jerry Kilby of Kanda Golf, is certainly well qualified to advise us all on good governance. He joins Leighton to talk about how you create a good governance platform to ensure you achieve success, retain and attract good staff and allow Managers and leaders to get on and do what they are there to do!
This is a really good chat and we urge you to grab some good takeaways for your club.
Find Jerry Kilby at Kanda Golf
Leighton and Eddie catch up for a yarn at the start of the show. Plenty has happened in the last month or so including.....you got it - Cam Smith winning the Open!
The guys then welcome Emma Ballard to Golf Club Talk UK for a good old chat! Emma is the Editor of Women & Golf, an online publication focusing on well.....Women and Golf!
Topics range from Emma's experience at the recent AIG Women's Open at Muirfield, including playing the course the day after as well as, obtaining her first handicap and what might help to engage women at your club. Really intersting discussion with one of Golf's good people.
Women and Golf - https://womenandgolf.com/
Emma Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmaballard/
An innovation this episode with a Golf Club Talk UK podcast and GCMA webinar taking place at the same time. Gavin Robinson of the GCMA kicks off the session with Leighton and they are joined by Karen Moss and Kevin Murray from BRS. BRS are leading the way in providing relevant and timely data. Kevin and Karen talk through the current trends that are emerging from the Q2 Participation Report. The numbers are vital in helping clubs to continue to make data driven decisions.
Q2 still looks healthy but the information suggests that clubs keep their eye on the ball to ensure numbers remain strong. Kevin gives some regional figures as well as touching on membership numbers.
An essential listen if you want to stay ahead of the curve.
Please note that the Quarterly Participation Report is linked below and can be read in conjunction with listening to the episode:
https://www.brsgolf.com/web/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/BRS-Golf-Quarterly-Report-Q2-2022.pdf
BRS Golf
GCMA
** Apologies for some sound issues early in the recording
On this episode of GCMA Insights we look at the new accreditation program. This is a big step forward for the association and plays a further role in modernising and professionalising Golf Club Management.
This new initiative which launches later in August, will capture members' experience, skills and knowledge in various levels of accreditation. This inevitably will enhance career prospects and standing within the industry.
Leighton is joined by Tom Brooke - CEO, Ed Richardson - GM at Hankley Common GC and Board member and Andy Rankin - Board member.
The discussion reveals the motications behind the accreditation program, its benefits for GCMA members and how you can become accredited.
https://www.gcma.org.uk/
Leighton kicks off with an introduction from St Andrews in the lead up to the Open. He's also joined briefly by Tracey Walker who gives us a quick heads up into BIGGA's role at the Open Championship. This involves a delegation of 55 Greenkeepers raking bunkers with each grouping throughout the tournament.
Leighton also speaks to BRS/Golfnow, the show's partners on how to use data to maximise your green fee revenue. With playing numbers just starting to level out, it's important all clubs are utilising available space and data can be a great way to help. Knowing trends on your tee sheet and what competitors might be doing is key. This can help to minimise impact on your membership or if you're a green fee led club - how to ensure you are utilising your asset to the full.
Thanks to Stevie and Karen for some really useful information.
BRS - https://www.brsgolf.com/web/
Please visit:
https://www.scotscraiggolfclub.com/
https://www.bamburghcastlegolfclub.co.uk/
Golf Club Talk UK meets up with Carol Ann Baxter, Executive Director with the PGA of Canada Ottawa. One will discover that Carol Ann is a trailblazer, her entrepreneurship has seen her build one of the most fun loving golf facilities - Archies in Cornwall , Ontario - her passionate leadership and attitude is an inspiration for others. During 2021 she received the accolade of Life Membership with the LPGA . https://www.archiescornwall.com/ Thanks to BRS Golf for their support of the show: https://www.brsgolf.com/web/
For those that attended the GCMA conference back in November they will be familiar with Chris Cook's closing session on his "2 Lengths". This was an inspiring talk that focused on keeping things simple and for Chris, the simple bit was swimming two lengths of the pool as fast as he could!
In this episode of GCMA Insights, Olympian Chris Cook expands more on this fascinating mindset and how simplifying things can transform the way you and your team can perform. Richard Palmer-Jones, Owner of PJH Brand Management and a very engaging character, gives a perspective from someone who has worked closely with Chris and has even put the thinking into action.
This is a really informative episode with some great tips on how to provide more focus in your life and your Golf Club.
Chris Cook - https://www.chriscookgb.com/
Under Armour - https://www.underarmour.co.uk/en-gb/
GCMA - https://www.gcma.org.uk/
In episode 64 - Leighton is joined by Sam Williams from Cookie Jar Golf, which has risen very quickly in prominence in the Golf space. On top of their Podcast which delves into architecture, history and tour Golf - Sam, Tom & Bruce also host great events, create video content and are now also helping clubs with their marketing.
Sam and Leighton chat many things Golf, including architecture, modern marketing, events and Sam's favourite tracks!
Check them out if you haven't already at:
https://cookiejargolf.com/
Also, please donate to Afriyea Golf Academy's campaign - https://afriyeagolfacademy.com/
Thanks as always to our loyal sponsors - BRS Golf! https://www.brsgolf.com/web/
Golf Club Talk UK share time with Peter Hickling, former Club Manager who developed a successful club business at High Post GC and more recently transferring his knowledge and passion into Ground2Control a cloud based Resource and Safety management system that has been effectively designed for golf club businesses. Peter also shares his entrepreneurial adventure around the development of his glamping business with lambs and alpacas https://www.ground2control.com/
Along with Gavin Robinson of GCMA we welcome Karen and Kevin from BRS to talk Q1 data for member play. Many in the industry will be keen to see how 2022 performs against 2021 but perhaps just as importantly, against pre-COVID 2019.
Initially the trends still look very positive but will it continue? This is a must listen for anyone who wants to keep their finger on the utilisation pulse and be able to react for the rest of 2022.
Thanks to Kevin, Karen and Gavin for joining.
https://www.gcma.org.uk/
https://www.brsgolf.com/web/
In this episode and after a catch up between Leighton & Eddie, Golf Club Talk UK share some time with Richard Leeves [GM Chestfield Golf Club] Richard shares his journey and his first two years in the role as GM at Chestfield GC, including the initial challenges of starting the role through Covid. How he is influencing the change of culture within his team. The challenges of managing a 15th century clubhouse property as well as things he has learned on his career pathway in taking his first role in Club Management . Leighton is then joined by Mark Pearson, Golf Coach and owner of PMG Academies. PMG operate 5 Academies at various Golf venues in the North of the country and it's growing quite rapidly. Working in harmony with the Golf Club or Driving Range they will provide a coaching solution which gives its customers a great experience but can also have a very positive effect on membership retention and recruitment. Mark talks about how and why he started PMG and how he has built the brand. Chestfield Golf Club PMG Academies Thanks to our sponsor - BRS Golf
What a great episode we have for you as we're joined by Isaiah Mwesige from the Afriyea Golf Academy in Uganda.
This Golf Academy is changing young lives in Uganda through providing an entry into the game of Golf but much, much more than that.... education, employment prospects and also learning about the environment.
Isaiah talks us through his journey into the game as well as the inspiration behind starting the Academy. He also mentions some of the success stories that have arisen and the great people that are helping to contribute the Academy's ongoing success.
There's even a partnership that's been struck between Afriyea and the 3 Hammers Golf Complex in the Midlands.
This is truly inspirational. Enjoy and please feel free to assist Afriyea by visiting their website to learn more.
Isaiah also explains how people how get in touch towards the end of then interview.
https://afriyeagolfacademy.com/
Follow on Twitter - @AfriyeaGolf
Thanks as always to our sponsor BRS Golf
www.brsgolf.com
Two interviews on episode 60 - Eddie chats with Steve Vinnicombe, General Manager/Head Golf Professional at Bedford & County Golf Club. Steve shares his exciting journey, how he combines the diverse role responsisbilities as General Manager, Head Professional, Golf Coach. Steve is energetic and illustrates his passion in adding to the community spirit at the club while driving the strategic objectives. Leighton is then joined by GCTUK sponsors - BRS in conjunction with Golf Genius. One year into this great partnership, Conor and Alex explain some of the innovations in the system and how the partnership is going from strength to strength. There's plenty more to come too!
Bedford & County Golf Club - https://www.bandcgc.co.uk/
BRS Golf - https://www.brsgolf.com/web/
Golf Genius - https://www.golfgenius.com/
Leighton makes a trip to Liverpool and the "Golf Coast" to visit the Managing Secretary of Royal Birkdale, Michael Sawicki. Michael has had a very steady progression through teh Golf Management ranks to find himself at this great club. We discuss his journey to Royal Birkdale but then also go into more depth about the club itself but also some of the things that go with hosting the Open Championship.
While the next one may be some years away at Royal Birkdale, the planning is constant and Michael works closely with the R&A on all matters course, ecology and logistics.
The Open aside, Michael manages a busy club with a strong membership and he provides more detail on what it takes to keep standards high.
https://royalbirkdale.com/
Thanks to our sponsor BRS Golf
www.brsgolf.com
On the first episode of GCMA Insights for 2022, we feature the GCMA Mentor programe released in late 2021 and due to commence in May 2022. The scheme is designed to draw on the best in our industry to nurture the next generation of industry professionals. Leighton is joined by Tom Brooke, CEO of GCMA along with four of the new mentors (listed below) and Biddy Lloyd Jones and Keith Maynard who have been training the mentors.
Future mentees will be able to benefit from this training but also the many years of experience to be received through these industry professionals.
Mentors include:
Richard Penley-Martin - Denham GC
Andrew Whitelaw - Portmarnock GC
Gary Beves - Golf at Goodwood
Ben Driver - Chigwell GC
www.gcma.org.uk
Following Leighton & Eddie's catch up, we talk to Amelia Lewis from Players 1st to deep-dive into member and guest surveys including the results, benefits, how best to frame your surveys and how to use the information to assist member retention.
Players 1st is the world’s leading supplier of Customer Experience solutions specifically designed to help golf operators retain and recruit members by helping clubs gain a better understanding of members' wants, needs and opinions on what's on offer.
Players 1st has forged strategic partnerships with leading national golf associations across Europe and North America, combining their expertise in customer experience management with industry best practices to deliver a powerful, easy to deploy solution for public and private course operators to help them take care of their most important asset – their members and guests. Learn more at www.players1st.golf
Thanks to our sponsors BRS - www.brsgolf.com
Great to be back for 2022 and we kick off then year with two interviews.
Following a catch up with Eddie and Leighton, Eddie speaks to Doug Poole, Chief Executive of the UK Golf Federation. The UK Golf federation represent proprietary and commercial minded clubs and driving ranges across the UK
https://www.ukgolffederation.com/home
Doug gives us a run down of what's happening at the federation as well as his own time at the helm following an interesting career in the Golf Industry.
Leighton then chats to Andrew Gibbins and Damien Urwin from Your Golf Travel. Like all aspects of the Golf industry, it's been a tough time for Golf Travel, particularly on the International front. Damien tells us why this might change this year, and Andrew who is UK based tells us what's been happening locally. He also delves into what clubs can do to get their share of the UK Golf travel market, especially with the increased travel at home.
https://www.yourgolftravel.com/
Thanks again to our sponsors BRS Golf - www.brsgolf.com
On the last episode for 2021, Eddie and Leighton have a good catch up and a look back at 2021 including favourite episodes. They then pull their crystal balls out for a look forward to 2022.
Following the intro, we're joined by our sponsors BRS. Karen Moss and Kevin Murray provide some hugely valuable data on member utilisation numbers. This is on the back of the August episode where visitor play was covered. Numbers of member rounds are compared with 2020, but more importantly 2019 which is a more typical comparison.
Well worth a listen for anyone who wants to keep their finger on the pulse.
www.brsgolf.com
Thanks to all of our listeners and Merry Christmas!
Twitter - @golfclubtalkuk
golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com
On this episode of GCMA Insights, we feature a recap of the GCMA conference held at Wyboston Lakes in November. Leighton attended the conference, not only for some education but also to carry out some interviews with attendees, suppliers and presenters. The event was a big success and Tom Brooke starts the show by giving us his views on why it was so successful. The three key topics of sustainability, wellbeing and technology hit the mark with attendees with a great education program. We were also inspired by people such as John Paramor, Catriona Matthew, Danielle Brown and Chris Cook.
The interviews offer some highlights and short bites from the guests and they include:
Jim Croxton – BIGGA
Steve Carroll – GCMA Magazine and National Club Golfer
Jimmy Sandison – Rainbird
Michael Herd – Colt Mackenzie McNair
James McLean – GCMA Manager of the Year & GM Bognor Regis GC
www.gcma.org.uk
https://www.rainbird.com/eur
https://coltmm.com/
https://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/
https://www.bognorgolfclub.co.uk/
After a long awaited visit to Royal Norwich, Leighton sits down in the Clubhouse with David Coventry - Chairman, and James Stanley - CEO of Royal Norwich.
After 9 holes and some Lunch, the trio talk through the Royal Norwich story, with David explaining the back-story and James taking us through the present and what’s to come! David has been at the heart of the move from the former site since the 1980’s. This is a great story all round and one which all in the industry should listen to, not least for some inspiration as to what Golf Clubs can look like as we move forward.
One of the biggest challenges along the way was the cultural shift once the move was made and both David and James give their take on this.
Royal Norwich offers some stunning Golf but it’s much more than this. The club wants to open its doors wide to the community whether it’s utilising the Clubhouse, Practice Facilities or even Greenkeeper training!
We hope you enjoy the interview and apologies for some minor sound issues.
www.royalnorwich.co.uk
GCMA Insights on Golf Club Talk UK covers Wellbeing this time. One of the three key themes at the GCMA Conference, the wellbeing of those working in the Golf industry is explored by Debbie Kleiner, a workplace wellbeing consultant. Leighton and Debbie are also joined by Tom Brooke - CEO of GCMA, Craig Cotterill – Commercial Partnerships Manager and Gareth Morgan – GM of Long Ashton Golf Club.
We get some very diverse and honest views on experiences of mental health issues and signs that something is creeping up on someone. Debbie and the guests also talk about coping strategies and ways of managing stress in the workplace and at home. This is a really interesting discussion and a topic that all managers should be paying close attention to.
GCMA – www.gcma.org.uk
www.wellbeing-inwork.co.uk
https://wellbeing-inwork.co.uk/introduction-to-mental-health/
https://wellbeing-inwork.co.uk/stress-vs-burnout/
It's our 3rd episode of GCMA Insights on Golf Club Talk UK and the topic is Technology. Leighton is joined by Gavin Robinson of GCMA, Craig Higgs of Golf Genius and Rob Corcoran from The Revenue Club.
Leading up to the GCMA Conference from 21st - 23rd November, the group give a flavour of how improving your technology can improve the customers experience, but also the experience of those running clubs.
There are questions like - Is Golf behind on technology because the members don't demand it?, and how can you devise a technology strategy?
There's some real nuggets in this episode and some discussion to get everyone thinking.
Golf Genius - https://www.golfgenius.com/
The Revenue Club - https://www.therevenueclub.co.uk/
GCMA - https://www.gcma.org.uk/
We're back with episode 54 and Leighton Walker has the two interviews this week. First up is Lesley from BRS talking about EPOS systems, in particular the newly released BRS EPOS system. David Brimble, owner of Hinksey Heights GC, near Oxford, also joins to talk about his experience utilising the new BRS system and how it integrates perfectly with the membership and tee management software.
The second interview is with Gary Stangoe, GM of The Caversham, Home of Reading Golf Club. Gary walks us through the story of how The Caversham arrived to where it is today. It was the merger of two Golf clubs located only a few miles from each other but with very different histories, backgrounds and culture. A very brave move by both clubs, which was not without its issues sees a very healthy club looking ahead to a strong future.
Thanks to our sponsors - BRS Golf
Hinksey Heights GC - https://www.oxford-golf.co.uk/
The Caversham - https://thecaversham.co.uk/
It's our 2nd episode of GCMA Insights on Golf Club Talk UK and the topic is Sustainability. Leighton is joined by Gavin Robinson of GCMA, Jonathan Smith of GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf and Liam Greasley of Green Club Energy.
After starting at a broad level the discussion moves on to how Golf Clubs in particular can become more aware of sustainability, but also how they can minimise their impact. This includes getting buy-in from key decision makers. Liam explains practical measures clubs can take to save costs and conserve energy usage.
Jonathan will be presenting at the GCMA Conference.
https://www.gcma.org.uk/gcma-conference-2021/
Also check out "On Course", a great tool to get clubs started on their journey:
https://getoncourse.golf/login
https://sustainable.golf/
https://greenclub.energy/
After a catch up from Eddie and Leighton we roll into two interviews.
Louis Booth is forging a great young career at the age of only 26! Louis has been in place as General Manager at Lincoln Golf Club for around 18 months and is already making his mark having come through COVID in good stead and now looking to develop the club's facilities, team and service. Louis talks about his progression from University in Cornwall into the Golf industry. There's some really impressive words and advice from Louis and he's one to watch in the future!
Eddie then welcomes Ian Irving entertainer, comedian and auctioneer. Ian has been a frequent entertainer for many golf clubs. His love for the game has been recognised by his peers when he was invited to be Captain of the Variety Club Golf Society also a Member of the Grand Order of Water Rats. Ian shares some of his stories and how golf has been influential throughout his career.
Thanks as always to our sponsors BRS. Check out their new EPOS system! https://www.brsgolf.com/web/
Lincoln Golf Club - https://www.lincolngc.co.uk/
Ian Irving - https://www.topcomic.co.uk/
A unique episode of Golf Club Talk UK this week with a Europe v USA Ryder Cup preview interview.
After Leighton & Eddie catch up for a chat, Eddie is then joined in the blue camp by Gregor Jamieson, Scottish native and Director of Golf at Lake Nona and representing USA in the red camp is Keith Stewart of the Pro Show and former guest of the show.
The guys break down the upcoming Ryder Cup to be held at Whistling Straits and argue the merits of both teams chances. This is a fun episode and we recommend a quick listen to this one to catch it before the event kicks off!
Thanks to our sponsor BRS Golf
https://www.brsgolf.com/web/
Leighton & Eddie have the pleasure of being joined by Jeremy Tomlinson this week for a fascinating interview and an insight into what's happening at England Golf. Jeremy talks about the early days of his tenure, England Golf's Strategic Plan, sustainability, the Independent Golfer and much more. Jeremy is very open and it leads to some great discussion.
England Golf - https://www.englandgolf.org/
Thanks to our sponsor - BRS Golf
https://www.brsgolf.com/web/
It's episode 50!!
After a catch up with Eddie, this week Leighton speaks to Karen and Kevin from BRS about course utilisation and booking trends as they present some numbers for 2020 & 2021. The data is taken from over 1900 across the UK & Ireland.
The guys look into what can be taken from the data and how clubs can use it to get ahead of the curve. The numbers are a warning that we are not in the heady days of 2020 anymore!
A must listen for anyone working at Golf Clubs.
Thanks to our sponsor BRS - https://www.brsgolf.com/web/
Karl Morris - Brainbooster podcast with Sandy Jamieson
https://brainbooster.libsyn.com/finding-true-purpose-in-your-coaching-sandy-jamieson-186
On the first episode of GCMA Insights with Golf Club Talk UK, Leighton hosts a panel interview with four women from the Golf Industry. The guests are:
Natalie McColl, Membership Services Manager - GCMA
Wilma Erskine, formerly Secretary Manager - Royal Portrush
Nicola Cornwall, Administration Manager - Ross-on-Wye GC
Alice Hiluta, PGA Professional - Royal Mid-Surrey GC
The panel articulate part of their stories as women working in the industry including how they got their start, some of the challenges and issues facing women in Golf and even how we can make it more attractive for women to start working in Golf or playing the game.
There's some really good information shared and with Women and Girls in Golf Week in mid-flow, the timing is perfect for raising awareness around women in the industry.
For more information on how GCMA can help anyone working in golf, visit:
www.gcma.org.uk
Karl Morris is Europe's leading performance mind coach, delivering cutting edge methods of peak performance and goal achievement to a range of clients across sports and business.
In this interview with Leighton, they explore some of the impact of the last eighteen months, but through a Golf, business and personal perspective. Karl talks about adaptability, "looking up" and appreciating what's around you and being instinctive in management and Golf. There's also a great conversation about "what a good day looks like in your business". This is a fascinating chat where listeners should be able to relate things back to their own lives and careers.
Karl Morris - https://themindfactor.net/
On episode 48 Eddie shares some time with David Edwards the renown golf entertainer. Internationally known for his golf trick shows, his exhibitions prove his ability to execute some of the most impossible shots, and his clear communications prove invaluable to all who have experienced his entertainment. David has also worked with some great names from then industry and shares a few stories.
https://www.david-edwards.co.uk/
After Leighton & Eddie catch up, we welcome Tom, Natalie, Gavin & Craig from GCMA at what is the start of a collaboration between Golf Club Talk UK and GCMA. The crew give us an introduction to who they are but also an overview of where the association is currently and where it is going. One of the team from GCMA will feature every few episodes and we will cover topical issues within the industry including wellbeing, sustainability, education and labour shortage.
Second up we have Yvonne Brooke from "Ladies Golf Lounge", a Facebook group set up for Women Golfers! The group, with over 5000 members is growing rapidly and gives women Golfers an outlet to chat, network, share experiences and soon - take part in events. Yvonne is very engaging and enthusiastic and the Ladies Golf Lounge is well worth checking out.
https://www.gcma.org.uk/
Leighton has a chat up with great friend of the show - Gabe Aluisy. Gabe tells us about his pivot towards Youtube and the huge success he's having with Let's Play Thru with over 16,000 subscribers. Gabe also tells clubs how they can use Youtube more successfully. Check it out here
Eddie has a fantastic chat with Keith Stewart who has made a significant impact in the world of golf with his successful radio show for ESPN “Pro Show with Keith Stewart” . Keith was the Head Professional at Springdale Golf Club , Princeton, New Jersey , but re -titled his position as the Director of Fun - which sums up his vibrant personality and why it’s a must to listen to Keith and his amazing stories.
The Pro Show Podcast
Following a catch up between Eddie & Leighton, Eddie was delighted to chat with Matt Orwin - Cornwall College Group, Gavin Robinson - Professional Development Manager, Golf Club Managers Association (GCMA) and Michael Herd - Senior Consultant, Colt Mackenzie Mcnair (CMM). The discussion centres around the recent launch of the Golf Club Management Degree. The new degree has been launched as part of the GCMAs commitment to the continued development of professional business management programme, in collaboration with Cornwall College and CMM.
As well as discussing the 3 year degree course, the guys venture off into discussions on the general role of the Manager, the need to employ Assistant Managers and how the role has developed over time to where it is now.
Cornwall College Group
GCMA
CMM Recruitment
Check out our recent "top 20" on the beststartup.co.uk list of the best Golf podcasts
https://beststartup.co.uk/20-best-uk-golf-podcasts-of-2021/
Thanks to our sponsors BRS
We're thrilled to have one of our friends of the podcast, Damien Connolly on episode 44! Damien has a wealth of experience from the Golf industry more recently including CGI (Confederation of Golf in Ireland) and then a move to his current role as Head Consultant at Mygolf Group. The experience has been built both in managing clubs and consulting to a wide range of clubs in Ireland.
Damien, who's one of then great guys in golf, gives a great perspective into the current state of Golf in Ireland as well as what's going on at Mygolf Group.
There's some fascinating insights in this interview and it's well worth a listen.
Mygolf Group
Thanks as always to our sponsor BRS Golf
After Leighton & Eddie catch up for their regular chat, Leighton speaks with Colin Mayes, Chief Executive of BGL (formerly Burhill). Colin has been with the company for many years and has seen many changes in the industry in that time, but BGL continues to be a very successful part of Golf in the UK. As well as letting listeners know what's happening at BGL, they delve into the proprietary side of Golf and into such topics as "not giving away cheap Golf!". Colin is always an interesting listen.
In the second interview, Eddie goes back in time for a chat with Hedley Muscroft one of the stalwarts and characters of Professional Golf. An excellent raconteur, whereby he shares some fond memories of times during the 1960s through to the modern golf era. His times with Henry Cotton, Jack Nicklaus, Roberto De Vicenzo and numerous Pro Am challenges away from the course. There was also the time he was challenged to play for his mortgage deeds!
Thanks to BRS Golf for their continued support - BRS Golf
BGL Company - BGL
Our guest on episode 42 is Craig Beeston of the Chartered Governance Institute who is the Programme Manager for The Sports Governance Academy that work in collaboration with Sport England. Craig is a governance specialist and he shares significant best practice for golf clubs to be following, with general insights in how future boards will need to view their board level structures.
Leighton and Eddie then talk through governance issues directly specific to Golf Clubs. Relevant skillsets, inductions and recruitment will be key to ensuring strong and efficient boards.
We'd love to hear from our listeners on their thoughts on governance and any issues or best practice that they would like to share.
golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com
@golfclubtalkuk - Twitter
Chartered Governance Institute
After Leighton & Eddie catch up to look at current events, Leighton is joined by Heather Mulley of Enville Golf Club. Heather has gained an excellent reputation as a Manager and this was topped off by being crowned the 2019 GCMA Manager of the Year. Heather tells us more about Enville and what makes it a great club as well as some of it's upcoming plans. This includes a renovation of both courses through the services of CDP (Clayton, Devries and Pont), who have featured on the show previously.
Our show partner BRS form the second interview where Karen Moss talks through the recent COVID impact study which was carried out by BRS. There are some revealing numbers from 2020, and Karen also looks ahead to what's expected for 2021. Member retention will be key and Ryan and Ian join to talk about how the V12 Finance option through BRS can assist with this.
Enville Golf Club
BRS Golf
COVID Impact study from BRS
Join us on Twitter - @golfclubtalkuk
or email us at golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com
One interview this week as Leighton is joined by Tom Brooke, the CEO of GCMA. Tom has been in post now for 6 months and he talks through his early days in the role, forward plans and areas such as the GCMA benefits and Manager wellbeing which is becoming a focus. Exciting times ahead for the association!
GCMA - https://www.gcma.org.uk/
Tom Brooke - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-brooke-94b45967/
Thanks to our sponsor - BRS Golf
After a quick catch up between Leighton & Eddie, Eddie was delighted to share sometime with Daniel Hodson, founder of Play More Golf . Daniel has a vast amount of golf management experience , a career pathway with Crown Golf and then leading the golf destination experience programme with the De Vere Group of Hotels . Daniel shares his views on flexible golf, independent golfers and what next for business golf !
In the second interview Leighton catches up with Stuart Gillett. Formerly of Golf at Goodwood and European Tour Destinations, Stuart has now moved into a new venture - Legacy Golf Advisors. He talks about this and their recent management contract with Charleton Estate in Fife. Stuart also touches on Reborn! A clothing brand looking to move into the Golf industry. That doesn't sound like anything special until you hear the garments are made from recycled plastic!!
Thanks to our sponsor BRS Golf - https://www.brsgolf.com/web/
Links:
Play more Golf - https://www.playmore.golf/
Legacy Golf Advisors - https://legacygolfadvisors.com/
Reborn Clothing - https://www.rebornmerchandise.com/
Golf Club Talk UK is delighted to welcome Chris Fitt: Director of Golf & Leisure - Chris has been influential in the recent developments at Foxhills while being an active contributor to the future golf leaders group within the industry. Chris shares his experiences and insights of his progressive career path and being associated with some of the leading golf destinations in the country.
Leighton is then joined by two experts from each of BRS and Golf Genius to talk about how this new and powerful partnership which will help clubs and members with competition administration. They also delve into how you can make competitions much more dynamic with live scoring and contactless score entry.
Thank you to our sponsors:
BRS Golf - https://www.brsgolf.com/web/
Xact - https://www.xactgroup.co.uk/index.php?id=home
Other links:
https://www.foxhills.co.uk/golf
https://www.golfgenius.com/
From Horseboxes to management buyouts this episode.
After Leighton & Eddie catch up for a chat, Eddie is joined by Steve Salter from Salt Club Consulting. Steve's expertise and specialism is helping clubs with their technology , having been associated with a number of golf clubs and golf destinations he has been sought after in assisting golf club businesses with their technology strategy . Steve shares some key points in the best methods to assess whether golf clubs are investing into the correct software solution. Steve also shares his recent entrepreneurial initiative with the converted "hospitality horse- boxes" that are starting to provide additional services and revenues for club businesses.
Leighton then catches up with Ben Laing, Managing Director of Branston Golf & Country Club. Ben is just over year into a recent management buyout of the Club following several years as CEO. Branston is a multi-faceted club with two Golf Courses and Practice Facilities, strong Health & Fitness offer as well as Conference and Function facilities. After the excitement of the takeover, Ben found himself quickly thrown into the chaos of the COVID lockdown. A very shar operator, Ben provides some great wisdom to listeners.
https://www.horseboxhospitality.com/
https://www.branstonclub.co.uk/
Big thanks to our sponsor - Xact Group for your H & S and HR needs
https://www.xactgroup.co.uk/index.php?id=home
Two interviews this month and we catch up with Stephen Nicholson, GM at Haydock Park Golf Club. Stephen, a finalist in the GCMA Manager of the year is building a good reputation as a Golf Club Manager. Leighton and Stephen talk a lot about remaining positive for your staff and members, particularly through a crisis. Stephen also mentions his new venture - Mango Golf Management which is just being launched.
https://mangogolf.co.uk/
Eddie also checks in with Graeme Taylor from Xact, a proud sponsor of GCTUK. Xact provide some great solutions both on the HR & H&S fronts and Graeme explains how they have helped clubs through COVID.
https://www.xactgroup.co.uk/
After Leighton and Eddie catch up to review what's been happening over the last few weeks, Leighton talks to Mike Clayton and Ed Cartwright from CDP (Clayton, Devries & Pont), a unique and global design collaboration based in the UK, Europe and USA.
The discussion centres largely around some of the fundamentals of course architecture and challenges, but Ed also explains what CDP is hoping to do in the UK and Europe, including a couple of existing projects such as The Addington in Surrey.
It's a really good chat and having spent over twenty years on the European and Australasian tours, Mike Clayton brings his vast experience, knowledge and story telling to the table.
http://www.cdpgolf.com/index.html
https://www.golfcoursearchitecture.net/content/custodians-of-the-course
Leighton and Eddie catch up for an end of year chat and look forward to what Golf clubs might be thinking about in 2021. With the opportunities presented, clubs will need to continue to think outside the box and provide an innovative offer.
Eddie also pays respect to long time friend and guest of the show - Peter Allis
Plenty of great interviews to come in 2021 and thanks to all of our loyal listeners. Happy New Year!
Twitter - @golfclubtalkuk
golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com
Leighton & Eddie catch up for their usual look at what's been happening in the past month. Following this they're joined by Adam Keable and Colin Bell from Gather! Gather is a new initiative designed to build a community which will disrupt and ask some difficult questions of the Golf industry. With a Podcast, video and online networking initiatives, the guys will open up debate and share knowledge among its members.
It's an interesting chat that informs members of what Gather is about but also explores some of the very topics that are key to Gather's manifesto.
Check it out at https://www.gather.golf/
Over seven months on from our first International Round Table episode, Leighton and Eddie revisit with Kevyn Cunningham from Half Moon Bay in Jamaica and John Caven from Oakdale Golf & Country Club in Toronto, Canada. This time they're also joined by Luis Rio, Secretary at Morgado Golf Club in Portugal and David Shepherd of The Scandinavian outside Copenhagen, Denmark.
The guys explore how they have got on since May when things were in the early days of COVID-19. What have been the successes and challenges as well as direction for 2021 but they also talk about leadership through a crisis such as this. There's some fascinating stuff in here and we're really lucky to benefit from the panel's experience and knowledge.
www.morgadogolfhotel.com
www.halfmoon.com
www.thescandinavian.dk
www.oakdalegolf.com
Sponsored by BRS Golf - www.brsgolf.com
Eddie speaks with Matt Adamski ( General Manager ) of Sweetens Cove Golf Club . Sweetens Cove has developed a cult following, a unique nine hole golf course in Tennessee, it's recently been included within the top 100 modern golf courses , also the New York Times mentioned it as “ The Little Course That Could “ Matt shares the amazing story about Sweetens Cove, as one of the coolest golf experiences, while focusing on quality golf surfaces. https://sweetenscovegolfclub.com/ @SweetensCove Second up, Leighton chats with Bob and Lesley from BRS Golf about their new Membership software. This is now creating a seamless system which integrates perfectly with tee bookings and all other aspects of BRS Golf. Also, welcomed to the show is Fame Tait, Owner and Director of Stanedge Golf Club in Derbyshire. Fame gives a first hand account of how she uses the BRS Golf system to her advantage and how it has completely modernised her administration of memberships www.brsgolf.com www.stanedgegolfclub.co.uk Contact Leighton & Eddie: golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com @golfclubtalkuk Thanks to our show partners - BRS Golf
We welcome back Stuart Finlay, GM of Radyr Golf Club in Cardiff. Stuart first appeared on the show two years ago, not long after starting in his new role as GM, having come from Wales Golf.
We look back at what Stuart has done at Radyr as well as the successes, tough times and what's ahead. Stuart is open and honest and it's a fascinating interview form one of the industry's sharp operators.
Feel free to get in touch with Stuart at http://www.radyrgolf.co.uk
After Leighton and Eddie catch up to look at what's happening in the industry currently, Eddie sits down with John Cockayne: Specialist Golf Consultant based in Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands. John has extensive experiences within the golf industry and shares his ideas and insights with the developments of the golf business.
Leighton then chats with Doug Philip of DPSM Consultants. DPSM are a specialist Golf Recruitment firm and he lends some great advice to anyone in the industry. Doug, a member of Elie Golf Club, also owns Oswald House Hotel in Kirkcaldy, Fife. Within 45 minutes of some of Scotland's best courses, Oswald House provides a warm welcome and is an ideal base for a Golf trip in this area.
http://dpsmconsultants.com
http://oswald.house
Episode 28 features our new sponsor "BRS Golf". Leighton talks to Bob and Peter from BRS about how COVID has affected rounds played as well as membership but they also talk through some of the great innovation that BRS are producing to help clubs. From membership management to member finance they are building the complete package for golf clubs.
Leighton then talks to Torbjorn "Toby" Johanssen, Director of Education with CMAE. CMAE are moving towards more online education platforms and Toby explains. He also touches on such things as Golf in Sweden and Scandinavia.
BRS Golf - BRS Golf – Online Golf Tee Time Booking Reservation System Software – BRS Golf – Ireland, UK, England, Scotland, Wales CMAE Europe - https://www.cmaeurope.org/home
A brief in between episode this time with Leighton chatting through his experiences over the last 5 months and the effect that it's had on his club, Cirencester as well as him personally.
This is followed by Michelle Baker from the Melanoma Fund who explains the "Slip, Slap, Swing" campaign designed to raise awareness around melanoma and skin cancer. The campaign has many UK Golf Clubs on board.
Michelle can be found on Twitter - @melanoma_fund, or on Linkedin - Michelle Baker. The website is Melanoma Fund | Tackling Rising Rates of Melanoma
Golf Club Talk UK welcome Harriet Shephard and Kim Wild who head up, Women and Golf magazine, UKs leading golf magazine for women.
The magazine has recently made the transition to purely a digital platform, Harriet and Kim share their vision moving forward and why clubs need to embrace the female community. Visit https://womenandgolf.com/ to check out the magazine.
Leighton speaks to Chris Duffy, formerly GM of Huddersfield Golf Club but currently exploring opportunities. Chris and Leighton talk about redundancy, Chris' previous business venture, lessons learned from over 120 Golf resorts around the world, the industry in general and what's ahead for Chris Duffy.
Chris can be contacted on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisduffygolf/
Leighton and Eddie have a catch up discussing among other things, the reopening of Clubhouses, Bryson De Chambeau and the European Tour recommencing.
On the back of this, Leighton interviews Gavin Robinson, Personal Development Manager of the GCMA. Gavin has been playing a pivotal role in keeping members informed throughout the COVID-19 crisis. He explains how he has done this and talks about some of the challenges that Golf Club employees have faced. Gavin also talks about some of the education offerings through the GCMA.
Gavin can be reached via email: gavin@gcma.org.uk
Leighton and Eddie have a general chat on Episode 24. They explore many of the issues that have come out of the COVID-19 crisis. They delve into areas such as what they've both been up to, new members and the spike that clubs have seen here, 9 hole competitions, club culture, tee time bookings at members clubs, innovation and technology and much more.
Many opportunities have arisen out of COVID-19 and now is the chance for the industry to seize some of these opportunities for their future benefit. Clubs will no doubt be looking at their business models and is it time to reset??
Please share your ideas, experiences and thoughts with Eddie and Leighton on Twitter @golfclubtalkuk or email golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com
As the pandemic hit, many golf businesses were scaling their preparations for the return.
We wanted to talk with golf leaders and gain first hand knowledge what is happening in other countries around the world of golf , and how they view the unexpected problems presented and the effect within their respected golf businesses.
Our ambitious plan was to bring everyone to the Golf Club Talk UK table at the same time, it’s our pleasure to share with our listeners the thoughts and ideas of our international guests.
Welcome to:
Richard Sorell : Chief Executive - Golf de Vidauban , France
Chris Bentley: Chief Executive - Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Club , South Africa
Miguel Franco de Sousa: President - Portuguese Golf Federation
Kevyn Cunningham: Director of Golf- Half Moon Golf , Jamaica
Marco Aquilino: General Manager -Royal Park Golf Club , Milan, Italy
John Caven: Chief Operation Officer - Oakdale Golf & Country Club , Ontario, Canada
Another round table episode this week focusing on the role of the Chairman through a crisis like this. Eddie and Leighton are joined by 5 Chairs from various clubs in the North and South of the country.
Our geusts were:
Emma Brereton - Chair : Cirencester GC
Janet Thacker - Chair - Highwoods GC, Bexhill -on - Sea
Rick Weights - Chair - Fulford GC, York
Jim Titley - Chair -Broadway GC
David Ham - Chair - The Nevill GC, Tunbridge Wells
These people bring huge experience and knowledge to their roles and they discuss what they have been doing to help mitigate the COVID-19 crisis.
There's some really valuable information with an emphasis on staffing, membership subscriptions and where to from here. Apologies for any sound issues that occur during this interview.
A special episode this week where we discuss COVID-19 and its effect on the industry with 7 industry experts. It's an open discussion looking at the impact it will have on people, finances and the future of Golf Clubs and the game itself.
The panel is made up of Managers, Association representatives, Driving Ranges and even a view from Denmark! Tune into this episode to listen to what others are doing already but also what planning might need to take place.
For more information on COVID-19 and the Golf industry, see these links:
Government update on status of greenkeeping
Latest: Coronavirus - GCMA
Enjoy this fascinating conversation with two UK golf club leaders, Amy Yeates and Rebecca Prout.
Amy Yeates, CEO of Moor Park golf and tennis club. Previous winner of the GCMA manager of the year award and PGA Professional. Amy’s previous clubs include Fairmont St Andrews, Goodwood, The Belfry and Mannings Heath.
Rebecca Prout is the General Manager of Highwoods Golf Club
First up this month, the show takes on an International flavour with Leighton interviewing Rod Morri, Journalist and host of several well-known podcasts in Australia on the Talkin Golf Network (https://talkingolf.com/about/). Rod is a journalist by trade, now writing for Golf Australia magazine, but more lately has expanded his Podcast network which includes shows such as The Good Good Golf podcast, State of the Game and Feed The Ball. As well as this Rod talks to us about some trends in clubs in Australia along with some things that are working well and things that are not. There's also a chat on the importance of Community in Golf Clubs. Leighton also speaks to Deana Rushworth (Golf Lessons, Witney, Oxfordshire - Deana Rushworth PGA Golf Pro & Mind Factor Coach). Deana recently gained the "Advanced PGA" status and this is a testament to her time in the industry and contribution to teaching. The discussion moves from Teaching to how perhaps clubs can introduce more ladies to the game and even the "Mind Factor" seminars that Deana delivers to Golfers on Golf psychology. Originally from Yorkshire and now teaching out of Witney Lakes Golf Club, Deana is an engaging character who has a lot of energy and a lot of great ideas.
This week Golf Club Talk UK are delighted to share some time with “the voice of golf” - Peter Alliss .
Peter has always shared his direct views and has much during the programme to surprise our golf listeners. Enjoy the stories .
Alan Tait is renowned in Scotland - having represented his country and in 1994 came to golf prominence as holding the course record at Carnoustie while also partnering Tiger Woods . He has since developed his skills into golf management and is a regular presenter on BBC Radio Scotland as their man of golf, while also recognised as a prominent after dinner speaker. His passion for the game has seen him recently become an ambassador for Golphin delivering participation into golf for children.
Gabe Aluisy also joins us. Gabe's company the Private Club Agency (http://aluisy.com, http://privateclubagency.com) has recently become a sponsor of the show and Gabe talks to Leighton about Membership Marketing and Strategy into the 2020's, particularly about how to tell your story as a club.
Gabe will presenting this in much more detail in July at the CMAE England seminar at Villa Park - https://www.cmae-england.uk/
Get in touch with Leighton or Eddie from GCTUK:
email - golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com
Twitter - @golfclubtalkuk
On this session we are speaking to Sami Strutt - Head of Member Development , British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association. Sami has played a major part in developing the personal development /educational programmes for the association - while evolving with significant success the Future Turf Managers Initiative whereby giving future turf managers an intense week of managerial techniques and tactical skills in preparation for their future careers. Sami shares some amazing insights over a twenty seven year career in the golf industry. Marcus Weatherburn who has moulded a career in Golf and formerly of the De Vere group, is now Club Acquisition Manager at Play More Golf covering the UK and Middle East. Play More Golf is a disruptive business that is looking to provide an alternative option to Golfers and Golf Clubs by looking to attract the nomad Golfer. A points based system that also gives players flexibility is growing in popularity. Leighton and Eddie tease out some of the pros and cons while gaining a better understanding of how the system works.
Steve Mills is a renowned marketing and sales expert (and former international Table Tennis player), that has had significant success in helping businesses grow their profile through LinkedIn programmes. Currently Steve is working with numerous Golf Club businesses to optimise their marketing potential. Eddie talks to Steve about ways to increase your exposure, particularly on Linkedin.
In the second interview, Leighton and Eddie both speak to Iain Lancaster, the Club Support Manager for England Golf. Iain has a strong background in Golf but also other sports such as Triathlon. There's many initiatives that England Golf are currently tackling including the new World Handicap System, the recently released Governance Guide and Safe Golf among others. Iain explains how clubs can best take advantage of England Golf and their resources.
Go to: Home - England Golf
Colin Webber created, owns and operates Portmore Golf Park with his wife Amanda and son Josh near Barnstaple in Devon. The facility, which was formerly a dairy farm was built from the ground up with plenty of blood, sweat and tears invested. Starting from a driving range, it now represents a fantastic community facility for not only Golf but dining, functions and other activities. Colin talks us through the story of Portmore and some of the things that make this place so unique. Check out Portmore Golf Park here Portmore Golf Park
Eddie speaks to John Maguire, GM of The Richmond Golf Club in London. John brings a strong background to his role including time in the military. Speaking to Eddie he explains how he creates success at The Richmond and gets the best out of his team. John explores his philosophy behind the food offering at The Richmond but also his own passion for great food and wine along with much more. Check out The Richmond here WELCOME TO THE RICHMOND GOLF CLUB : The Richmond Golf Club
This week Eddie and Leighton are joined by Dr. Roger Hawkes the Executive director of The Golf and Health Project (https://www.golfandhealth.org/), Member of International Golf Federation and formerly with the European Tour. Dr Hawkes talks to us about the benefits that Golf provides to people's health and the fact that club's should be making the public aware of these benefits. He also explains that clubs need to give more support to members who may have health issues and aim to keep them in the game as long as possible. Leighton goes all ecological with James Hutchinson, Members Services Manager for BIGGA (https://www.bigga.org.uk/) and in charge of Ecology and Sustainability. James looks to put some definition around those words in a Golf Course sense and explores some of the initiatives that can make clubs much more ecologically responsible. If you don't know what a Bug Hotel is you may want to listen to this episode!
Episode 12 starts with Eddie and Leighton catching up and reviewing the Open Championship and Women's British Open. The first interview is with Leanne Rice and Dave Vincent of Tourism Northern Ireland. Hot on the heels of the successful Open Championship held at Royal Portrush, Leighton finds out how Tourism NI will look to capitalise on the success and welcome people to NI. They talk about some of the lesser known hidden golf gems in NI but also some great things to do away from Golf. Eddie's latest interview is with Jenni Biggs - also known in the industry as Miss App. Jenni specialises in delivering quality Apps for Golf Clubs, guiding clubs with innovative ideas in how to optimise their technology marketing opportunities, while also finding herself in demand as a published writer within the golf industry.
We are delighted to welcome our first guest on Golf Club Talk UK from California - John Kennaday is the Head Golf Coach at San Jose State University - Having recently been the figurehead behind the new Spartans Golf Complex, which is recognised as the state of the art facilities in the US. John is also the Current Vice President of the Golf Coaches Association of America . John speaks about his background and his continued desire to improve the opportunities for students who are invited to become a part of the San Jose State University Spartans Golf Team.
Leighton is joined by Richard Saunders, Head of Sales for Free Trade. A former Pub Owner, Richard has been with Marstons for 12 years and lends his experience and wisdom on the beverage industry, particularly around Golf Clubs. The discussion looks at the history of Marstons which has been based in the midlands for many years. It then delves into some of the drinks trends going on with Beers, Gins and Wines while also giving listeners an idea of how to improve their offer. Marston's Beers and Breweries
Jeremy Dale (https://www.jeremydale.com/) does it all - teaching, trick shows, corporate days, golf trips, radio - you name it! At the heart of it though Jeremy is all about Golf! Having spent so many years in the industry he has built up a great knowledge of the game and golf courses around the world, but more than anything he's about making golf fun whether it be through teaching, trick shots or course architecture. He discusses many issues with Leighton and what he feels clubs should be doing to introduce more fun into the game.
After a successful playing career, including college golf in the USA, Vanessa Bell is Head of Fundraising for The Golf Foundation(https://www.golf-foundation.org/) and is tasked with growing awareness of the charity, through initiatives that teaches valuable life skills to youths of all ages throughout the UK, while marketing to golf clubs in order capture their support and appreciation of The Golf Foundation.
This month Leighton and Eddie are joined by Gabriel Aluisy, host of Private Club Radio and founder of the Golf Radio Network. The guys have a chat about the Masters and general issues affecting Golf Clubs both in the UK and USA. They also explore a few current trends. The main interview features Adam Keable from Colt MacKenzie McNair, a leading Executive Search company in the Golf Industry who operate in the UK, Europe, Middle East and USA. This episode will not only benefit those looking at their own employment opportunities, but also give some great advice on what clubs need to be looking at when they are employing staff. Adam explains some of the key differences that influence recruitment now including the generational differences that have become more prevalent over recent years. Check out Eddie's reference to "Why 18 Holes" at http://www.why18holes.com/
This week on episode 7 we have a variety of interviews from all parts of the country. Robin Down from Allendale Golf Club in Northumberland speaks to Eddie about this unique 9 hole course and Robin's even written a book (Golf in the Wild!) about 9 hole courses. Check out Allendale at https://allendale-golf.com/ Leighton then speaks to Gareth Morgan, GM at Long Ashton Golf Club (https://www.longashtongolfclub.co.uk/), about what clubs should be doing to get up to speed with the new rules changes that came into effect on January 1st. Gareth recently completed a qualification with the R&A and is well placed to advise clubs. Lastly, Leighton interviews Euan Grant, GM at JCB club, live from the Club Leadership Summit at Royal Ascot Racecourse back in March. Euan has moved from Course Manager to Club Manager at this unique and recently opened course in the Midlands and is on a fast learning curve.
Leighton & Eddie start episode 6 off from the Club Leadership Summit at Ascot Racecourse. The Club Leadership Summit is a gathering of 40 of the best Club Managers with education and networking. The first feature interview is with Don McPherson who is a renown mind coach and sport psychologist. Don has worked with works with many world-class sports professionals including F1 racing drivers, Premiership footballers, snooker champions and Ryder Cup golfers. Don looks at some techniques to help anyone in their day to day career. Leighton talks to Adam Lawrence, Editor of Golf Course Architecture magazine, a publication focusing on all things course architecture across the globe. Adam talks about some issues faced by clubs in the UK while highlighting some of his most memorable courses. Find out more at http://www.golfcoursearchitecture.net/
Episode 5 and Eddie & Leighton have a catch up and look back on BTME which Eddie attended. The first feature interview this week was Debbie Pern from Deeside Golf Club. Debbie (CCM qualified) oversees a very strong F & B operation and this has gone from strength to strength in the last 14 years. Debbie talks through some of the staffing successes, but also explores some of the decisions that have seen them progress to where they are today. In the second interview, Eddie talks to Matt Parsley from Conwy Golf Club, a true links course on the North Coast of Wales. Matt is a PGA Pro who moved into Club Management. Having worked at several clubs in the UK, Matt is a rising star in the Management world and now looks forward to hosting the Curtis Cup at Conwy in 2020. He also looks at ways in which Conwy is looking to improve the offer to its members.
Nick Solski CCM from "Boomers & Swingers" at Astley Driving Range in Cheshire, talks to Eddie about a driving range with a difference. Nick is also a Fellow with the PGA and brings a wide experience, including time in Russia, to this operation. The emphasis is on fun and enjoyment at Boomers and Swingers and they are doing more than their bit in attracting new people to the game. In our second interview John Glendenning, Chief Executive of The Wisley in Surrey, gives us great insight as to what makes this fantastic club tick. Some really interesting ideas and initiatives shows that this is a really forward thinking members club. From re-using grey water to keeping their own bees, John explains how the members really embrace this "thinking outside the box".
In this week's episode Eddie and Leighton provide some information on the GCMA conference announced for 2019, as well as a quick summary of the recent CMAE European Conference held in Marbella.
The first interview features Stuart Finlay formerly of Wales Golf who has recently moved into the role of General Manager at Radyr Golf Club in Cardiff. Stuart talks about his time with wales Golf and how he approached his new role which is his first in Management. Eddie will then chatto Alex Keighley a trailblazer of Yorkshire golf. Alex is the Head Professional at Huddersfield Golf Club (Fixby Hall), she also sits on the board of TGI and is a past Captain of the Northern region of The PGA. Alex is doing some sensational initiatives in developing a strong presence at Huddersfield Golf Club, including growing the Ladies and Juniors memberships, she provides more detail on this. Early in the interview Alex also talks about her days on the Tour.
Rob talks about his route to Global Golf Advisors and explains how they help golf clubs in the UK and all over the world. Rob then moves on to give some fascinating insights into the current trends in the industry. Find Rob on Twitter @RobHill_
Eddie talks to Karen Drake, General Manager at Burnham & Berrow Golf Club. Burnham & Berrow is located in Somerset and is a traditional links course located right next to the Bristol Channel. Karen talks about the club and some of the ways in which they're providing a great experience for their members and also some of their challenges, including a recent bushfire. @BurnhamBerrow
In this episode you'll meet the hosts of Golf Club Talk UK, Leighton Walker and Eddie Bullock. You'll learn the host's backgrounds, current projects and roles.
This episode will give you an overview of what is in store for the show and what you, the listener, can expect to hear each month.
Make sure to come back every 2nd Wednesday of the Month for another enlightening episode.
Visit http://golfradionetwork.com to learn more about this show and other golf industry podcasts available on this network.