Golf Club Talk UK

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/