We're joined by Gavin Anderson of England Golf and Jerry Kilby of Kanda Golf. The conversation focuses on the importance of governance training for board members in golf clubs, highlighting the new initiative by England Golf aimed at improving the knowledge and skills of volunteers. Their new Board Learning online workbook, as outline by Gavin and Jerry, provides the perfect outlet for new or existing Board members, Committee members or volunteers of clubs - to understand what is required within their roles. The discussion covers the need for structured training, strategy v operations, understanding your responsibilities as a Director and how to ensure your club's success through good strategic planning.

Key Takeaways from the conversation:

The initiative aims to improve governance in golf clubs. 77% of board members have never served on a board before. Training for volunteers is essential for effective governance. The course is designed to be accessible and engaging. Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive and numbers are strong. Understanding the general manager's role is crucial for volunteers. The course will evolve based on participant feedback. Engagement from general managers is key to implementation. Future training will focus on specific roles within clubs. Celebrating successes will encourage more participation.

https://www.englandgolf.org/training-and-development

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Toro - Click here for more information

The Revenue Club - Click here for more information

https://eddiebullockgolf.com/

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In partnership with Toro, we delve into the world of greenkeeping in this episode, shining a spotlight on the next generation of talent in the profession. We're delighted to welcome the two winners from the recent Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards.

Bradley Taylor of Beau Desert Golf Club was named Student Greenkeeper of the Year, while Matt Strutt-Donnelly of Stoneham Golf Club claimed the Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year award.

The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards in conjunction with BIGGA are designed to recognise and reward emerging talent within the industry, celebrating students who demonstrate outstanding commitment to their education, professionalism in the workplace, and a genuine passion for turf management. The initiative not only highlights individual excellence but also reinforces the importance of structured learning, mentorship, and long-term career pathways within greenkeeping.

Bradley and Matt talk us through their journeys into greenkeeping, the clubs they work at, the aspects of the job they enjoy most, and what motivates them on a daily basis. They also explain how winning these awards has boosted their confidence and how the recognition will help propel their careers forward.

This is a genuinely strong initiative for the industry, and one that clubs should fully support — not only by investing in education and development, but also by actively putting forward deserving team members for awards like these.

More information here:

https://www.reesinkturfcare.co.uk/students-awards/toro-student-greenkeeper-of-the-year-awards-winners/

https://www.bigga.org.uk/education/toro-student-greenkeeper-of-the-year.html

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Website: Golf Club Talk UK

https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighton-walker-2708b627/

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Toro

Click here for more information

https://eddiebullockgolf.com/

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Leighton is joined by partners of the show, The Revenue Club, with Chris Knight and Rob Corcoran, for a straight-talking conversation that takes on some of the biggest myths around dynamic pricing and using spare tee times to drive additional revenue for golf clubs. Together, they challenge the idea that flexible pricing creates a race to the bottom, attracts the wrong type of golfer, or negatively impacts members, and instead explore how it can be used sensibly to strengthen a club's overall commercial performance.

Eddie is then joined by David Scott, Captain of the PGA of Great Britain and Ireland, Honorary Professional of The R&A, and, when he's not doing all that, General Manager of Dumbarnie Links. David talks through his journey in the game, from playing to working in a variety of roles at some outstanding clubs, all leading to his current role at Dumbarnie. He's a respected figure in the industry and his perspective on both golf and club management makes this a really worthwhile listen.

As a bonus for GCTUK listeners, The Revenue Club are offering a free benchmarking report on your green fee revenue, along with a visit to walk you through the findings. Just mention that you're a GCTUK listener when you get in touch via www.therevenueclub.co.uk

https://www.dumbarnielinks.com/

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Toro

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https://eddiebullockgolf.com/

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Guests:

Phil Grice – Custodian Golf and GC Media

James Brockington – General Manager, Henley Golf Club & GCTUK

Alastair Sinclair – Play More Golf

Tony Adams – Hospitality in Golf

In the third episode of our three-part series, we take a deep dive into the subject of investment and keeping your facilities fresh.

Joined by an expert panel with deep experience across golf operations, marketing, membership, service delivery, and hospitality, we explore what investment truly means in the context of golf clubs and how it can make or break your club. It also moves into some thoughts around the model of your club and how this will affect the ability to invest. The topics explored include:

What do the good clubs do and what do the not-so-good clubs do in terms of investing in their facilities?

Have you got an investment plan?

It all comes down to good governance and planning to ensure investment stays on track

Communication to members around investment

Are members and Boards still seeing themselves as custodians of clubs?

This wide-ranging discussion brings together a panel ideally placed to advise and guide clubs on one of the most important, and often misunderstood, elements of long-term success.

Please support the panelists:

https://www.custodiangolf.co.uk/

https://www.playmore.golf/

https://www.hospitalityingolf.com/

Connect with Us:

Instagram: @golfclubtalkuk

Website: Golf Club Talk UK

https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighton-walker-2708b627/

A big thanks to our partner:

Toro

Click here for more information

The Revenue Club

Click here for more information

https://eddiebullockgolf.com/

Support us here:

https://buymeacoffee.com/gctuk

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In this episode, we bring together four leading voices from across the golf and environmental landscape to cut through the noise around water use and sustainability and focus on the facts. We're joined by Tom Brooke, CEO of GCMA, Richard Windows from The R&A, Tom Young from The Environment Partnership (TEP), and Daniel Scarr from Rain Bird to explore why water has become one of the most critical issues facing golf clubs today, and why doing nothing is no longer an option.

With so much information circulating, the discussion begins by grounding the debate in reality and an outline of where we are right now. This looks at the current pressures on water resources, the increasing scrutiny on abstraction and usage, and how climate patterns are already affecting golf courses across GB&I. The panel then looks ahead, with the panel painting a clear picture of where the industry could be in ten years' time if meaningful action isn't taken, from tighter regulation to rising costs and reduced resilience.

The conversation turns to practical action, starting with what clubs can do immediately. Daniel Scarr shares simple, low-cost steps that clubs can take now to reduce water consumption, focusing on smarter irrigation practices, better system management, and making small changes that quickly add up. From there, the panel expands into longer-term measures, discussing investment in infrastructure, data-led decision making, agronomic and course design considerations, and how sustainability can be built into long-term planning rather than treated as a reactive fix.

With wetter winters and heavier rainfall falling in shorter, more intense periods, we examine how golf courses can adapt to cope more effectively, improving drainage, capturing and storing water, and building resilience into course management strategies.

The episode also highlights the collective work being done across the industry. Tom Brooke explains how organisations such as the GB&I Golf Forum and the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf (APPGG) are working together to represent the sport, influence policy, and drive coordinated action on sustainability and water management.

The message that runs throughout the discussion is clear: clubs don't need to have all the answers today, but they do need to start. The panel closes by encouraging clubs to take action now, however small the steps may seem, because early progress, informed decisions, and a willingness to engage will be critical to safeguarding the future of the game.

www.gcma.org.uk

https://www.randa.org/sustainable-golf

https://www.tep.uk.com/

https://www.rainbird.com/

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https://buymeacoffee.com/gctuk

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In this unique two-part episode, we delve into elite performance at England Golf, covering girls, women, boys and men's national squads and exploring what it truly takes to succeed at the highest level of the sport.

Leighton spends two days on the ground at the National Golf Centre, gaining a real feel for the work that goes into driving success at national level. The episode not only highlights the structure behind the programme but also offers valuable insight and perspective directly from the players experiencing it first-hand.

We begin this second part with an in-depth conversation with Jenny Henderson and Ben Gorvett, Performance Managers working across the girls', women's, boys' and men's squads. Jenny and Ben offer a clear perspective on how the performance programme is structured and how they support players at different stages of their development. They discuss the balance between long-term athlete development and short-term performance, how individual player plans are built, and the importance of aligning coaching, physical preparation, psychology and competition scheduling to help players perform at their best.

Next, we hear from Tyler Weaver, speaking to us from Tallahassee, Florida, where he is currently studying at Florida State University while also representing the men's squad. Tyler shares his experience of combining university golf in the United States with international performance expectations, and reflects on the challenges and opportunities that come with that environment. A standout moment in his journey so far was competing in the 2025 US Open at Oakmont, and Tyler gives insight into what that experience was like and what he took away from competing on one of golf's biggest stages.

We then catch up with Nick Soto, England Golf Putting Coach, who explains his role within the programme and the impact of having access to world-class facilities. Nick talks through how he works with players to develop their putting skills and the importance of measurement, feedback and how psychology and small performance gains on the greens can translate into meaningful results in competition.

To close the episode, we speak with Annabel Peaford and Charlotte Naughton from the women's squad. Both are highly talented prospects who have progressed through the England Golf pathway, and they share their experiences of life within the programme. Annabel and Charlotte reflect on their development so far, the support around them, and their ambitions for the future as they continue to push towards the next level of the game.

This episode offers a rounded look at performance golf—from those designing and delivering the programme, to the players living it day to day—and highlights the depth of talent and expertise within England Golf.

Special thanks to Nigel Edwards, Performance Director at England Golf, for making this access possible.

https://www.englandgolf.org/

Connect with Us:

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Website: Golf Club Talk UK

https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighton-walker-2708b627/

A big thanks to our partner:

Toro - Click here for more information

The Revenue Club - Click here for more information

https://eddiebullockgolf.com/

Support us here:

https://buymeacoffee.com/gctuk

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It's a great episode this week as Eddie and Leighton kick things off with a catch-up before diving into the featured interview.

They are joined by DJ Flanders, Executive Vice President of Troon Golf, for a wide-ranging and insightful conversation that revisits a standout presentation DJ delivered at the GCAE Conference in Madeira last November. That presentation explored one of the biggest challenges facing golf today: the four generations now sharing our golf venues.

The conversation looks closely at Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z, exploring the typical traits, preferences, and expectations of each group. Eddie, Leighton, and DJ discuss what each generation values most from the golf and hospitality experience, what makes them feel welcomed and satisfied, and where venues risk losing them if expectations aren't met.

A central theme of the discussion is the big challenge facing operators today: how do golf venues successfully appeal to all four generations at the same time? DJ shares practical insight into how different generations can co-exist within the same venues, how expectations can be balanced, and why understanding generational mindset is now essential for the long-term success of golf.

It's a thoughtful, practical, and engaging conversation with plenty of takeaways for anyone involved in golf operations, hospitality, or leadership.

You can find out more about Troon Golf at https://www.troongolf.com and connect with DJ Flanders on LinkedIn.

A big thanks to our partners:

Toro - Click here for more information

The Revenue Club - Click here for more information

https://eddiebullockgolf.com/

Connect with Us:

Instagram: @golfclubtalkuk

Website: Golf Club Talk UK

https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighton-walker-2708b627/

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https://buymeacoffee.com/gctuk

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In this Toro Partnership episode, we open with James Howard, General Manager, and James Cleaver, Course Manager, of Stratford Oaks Golf Club. They are joined by David Timms and Josh Nash of Reesink, with the discussion centred on Stratford Oaks' recent major addition of Toro machinery to their fleet.

The conversation explores how a club approaches the decision-making process around a fleet purchase, from identifying the specific needs of the club to evaluating long-term value and performance. The group also discusses the importance of distributor support, including equipment demonstrations and ongoing service, and how these factors help clubs find the right solutions to present their course in the best possible condition.

Leighton and James Brockington are then joined by the ever-insightful David Roy of Crail Golfing Society.

With more than 20 years at the helm, David has overseen a period of significant progress at one of the world's oldest golf clubs. During his tenure, Crail has evolved through major changes in board structure, governance, and club culture, emerging in a strong and sustainable position.

In this episode, we explore how David has managed this evolution while continuing to perform at the top of his game. He shares the importance of building and maintaining strong relationships, staying grounded, and cultivating interests outside of work. Those interests include a lifelong love of amateur dramatics, which has played an unexpected but valuable role in his leadership journey.

David also reflects on how steady leadership, clear decision-making, and a willingness to modernise have helped deliver healthy membership numbers, strong visitor revenue, and a more inclusive, contemporary club environment. The conversation even touches on Crail's refreshingly progressive approach to dress code policy, proving that tradition and modern thinking can successfully coexist.

Beyond Crail, David has also played a significant role in the success of the CMAE, contributing his time, experience, and leadership over a long period to help support and develop club management professionals across the industry.

A thoughtful and wide-ranging discussion on leadership, decision-making, balance, and the future of golf clubs.

https://crailgolfingsociety.co.uk/

A big thanks to our partners:

Toro - Click here for more information

The Revenue Club - Click here for more information

https://eddiebullockgolf.com/

Connect with Us:

Instagram: @golfclubtalkuk

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighton-walker-2708b627/

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Stephen Smith is a neuroscientist and one of only six professionals worldwide fully registered as both a sport psychologist and a business psychologist. Through his company, Sports Psychology, Stephen works with clubs to improve performance and commercial success by better understanding customer behaviour—what members and guests need, what makes them feel comfortable, and what keeps them coming back.

Stephen recently presented this subject at the GCAE Conference in Madeira, and we were keen to have him on the show to explore these ideas in greater depth.

In this episode, we dive into how highly successful businesses—particularly those outside the golf industry—design their spaces to maximise engagement, satisfaction, and loyalty. Stephen explains how these same principles can be applied within golf facilities by creating the right environments and surroundings.

This conversation takes us into new territory and offers a fresh perspective on how psychology, neuroscience, and design can directly impact the success of golf clubs.

A big thanks to our partners:

Toro - Click here for more information

The Revenue Club - Click here for more information

https://eddiebullockgolf.com/

Connect with Us:

Instagram: @golfclubtalkuk

Website: Golf Club Talk UK

https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighton-walker-2708b627/

Support us here:

https://buymeacoffee.com/gctuk

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In this unique two-part episode, we delve into elite performance at England Golf, covering girls, women, boys and men's national squads and exploring what it truly takes to succeed at the highest level of the sport.

Leighton spends two days on the ground at the National Golf Centre, gaining a real feel for the work that goes into driving success at national level. The episode not only highlights the structure behind the programme but also offers valuable insight and perspective directly from the players experiencing it first-hand.

Hosted by Jenny Henderson, Performance Manager for Female Golf, Leighton is guided through the training camps and world-class facilities that underpin the programme, with a clear overview of how athletes are developed and supported over time.

The episode also features expert contributions from Amy O'Donnell, the England Golf Nutritionist, and Dan Coughlan, Strength and Conditioning Coach, who explain the many components that come together to support elite performance. They also bring experience from professional tours.

We then hear from two members of the girls' national squad, Ellie Lichtenhein and Lauren Crump, who share their experiences at the training camps, reflect on their personal progress, and discuss how the environment is helping them develop as players.

Special thanks to Nigel Edwards, Performance Director at England Golf, for making this access possible.

If you want a genuine, behind-the-scenes overview of what happens at elite-level sport, this is an episode not to be missed.

In part two we'll get an overview from the Performance Managers of men's and women's golf, Putting coach and hear from two of the women's squad and one of the men's squad.

https://www.englandgolf.org/

Connect with Us:

Instagram: @golfclubtalkuk

Website: Golf Club Talk UK

https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighton-walker-2708b627/

A big thanks to our partner - Toro

Click here for more information

https://eddiebullockgolf.com/

Support us here:

https://buymeacoffee.com/gctuk

Rate & Review Please leave a 5-star review and share this episode with your golf circle!