Golf Club Talk UK

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/