Golf Club Talk UK

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 - Toptracer!  Toptracer 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.  Toptracer also had a strong presence at Royal Troon recently and Rob gives us the lowdown on the scale of this.  

Toptracer 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/