Golf Club Talk UK

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