In this episode of The GBQ Podcast, host Sarah Stirk sits down with Tom Reid and Kristian Baker, PGA Members both and co-owners of Sunningdale Heath and Merrist Wood. During their discussion, we learn:

• Why identity, culture, and inclusiveness are at the heart of what Tom and Kristian are trying to create
• How they have evolved their coaching style as they’ve got to grips with the rigours of running a club
• Why ‘growing the game’ must be more than just talk

Tom and Kristian, both well-known PGA Professionals, acquired the former Sunningdale Ladies Golf Club in 2019 and set out to make it inclusive for everyone.

Rebranded as Sunningdale Heath, the Berkshire venue was transformed and is widely considered a best-practice model to follow.

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In this episode of The GBQ Podcast, host Sarah Stirk sits down with Seamus Coen, General Manager of Rusacks St Andrews Hotel. During their discussion, we learn: 

• The importance of hospitality, leadership, and teamwork in creating a world-class experience for guests 
• How communication and recognition empowers his team to deliver exceptional service 
• How focusing on attitude and a willingness to go the extra mile creates a positive team culture 
• Why the Rusacks must continually innovate and improve to maintain the hotel’s reputation and success 

For many, it is THE golf hotel. Look at any iconic picture of the Auld Grey Toun and there is the Rusacks St Andrews. Its place in golfing history is as assured as its position halfway up the 18th fairway of the Old Course. 

But such legendary status also requires endless excellence. Charged with ensuring guests get the experience they desire and deserve is General Manager Seamus Coen and we learn how it’s achieved in the latest episode of The GBQ Podcast.

He talks to Sarah about being at the helm during a time of great change – with the hotel having gone through a huge transformation which has transformed the landscape not only of the building but of the business.  

Find out more by visiting https://www.gbqdigital.com/.

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As a multi-major winning player and Solheim Cup captain, Suzann Pettersen was one of the most recognisable female golfers on the planet.

But while other women’s sports are breaking down barriers – just look at the reaction to England’s football and rugby union squads over the summer – can the same be said for golf?

As she retired from tour life, Pettersen set up VOXA – a company entirely dedicated to elevating professional women’s golf and she talks about the journey on this month’s edition of The GBQ Podcast.

Hosted by Sky Sports Golf presenter Sarah Stirk, each month The GBQ podcast brings you in-depth interviews and provides genuine analysis around the most important topics facing the golf industry.

Find out more by visiting https://www.gbqdigital.com/.

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In this episode of The GBQ Podcast, host Sarah Stirk sits down with Amir Malik, founder of the Muslim Golf Association. During their discussion, we discover: 

• Why it’s unrealistic to expect new players to jump from taster sessions into membership 
• Why clubs should focus on serving their communities  
• How more could be done to embed new players into a club from a price point perspective 
• Why PGA Professionals are crucial to what the Muslim Golf Association want to achieve 

Find out more by visiting https://www.gbqdigital.com/.

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This episode of GBQ TV comes from The PGA Partners’ Event 2025 at Slaley Hall where host Sarah Stirk is joined by an expert panel to discuss some of the pressing issues in the golf industry. 

Richard Barker, The PGA’s executive director – business development; Phil Craghill, director of golf marketing agency GMS; Chris Eigelaar, managing director of The Belfry Hotel & Resort; and Nuno Supelveda, co-CEO of Details Group and PGA Aroeira, engaged in a lively discussion and answered questions from a live audience. 

During their discussion, we learn: 

• How the golf industry might get to grips with the coming influence of artificial intelligence and what impact it may have on the future role of the PGA Professional 
• Whether experience is more important than the golf course when it comes to providing a memorable tourism adventure  
• How important service should be in a time of rising prices 
• And how content creators and influencers are bringing new demographics into the game 

Find out more by visiting https://www.gbqdigital.com/.

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In this episode of The GBQ Podcast, host Sarah Stirk sits down with Donegal General Manager Lynn McCool and Witney Lakes Head Professional Deana Rushworth to talk about the evolving role of women in the golf industry. During their discussion, we discover: 

• How The WPGA empowers and supports women professionals in the game – and how its profile can be raised 
• How PGA Excel can help support skill sets and advance coaching capabilities for women 
• How coaching has evolved over the past few years, how more women should aspire to careers in golf club management, and the keys that can help them in post  
• What golf needs to do as an industry to make the game even more accessible to women and girls 
• How can women transition into different careers in the golf industry? Is coaching still the vanguard for helping people enjoy the sport? What opportunities and challenges are there for women within golf? 

What is Golf Business Quarterly? Created by The PGA, GBQ presents a rounded view of golf business, providing in-depth interviews and genuine analysis of key data around the most important topics facing the golf industry. It deals in facts, data and experts in their field, it stimulates meaningful discussions and aims to unite those who wish to act in the best long-term interests of the game.

Find out more by visiting https://www.gbqdigital.com/.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The GBQ Podcast, host Sarah Stirk sits down with Alyson Mckechin PGA, head of Golf It! in Glasgow. During their discussion, we discover:

• How the success of The R&A’s community-based facility in Glasgow might take the concept global 
• How to meet the challenge of converting women and girls into golf club members  
• The crucial support Alyson received from The PGA when she needed it most

What is Golf Business Quarterly? Created by The PGA, GBQ presents a rounded view of golf business, providing in-depth interviews and genuine analysis of key data around the most important topics facing the golf industry. It deals in facts, data and experts in their field, it stimulates meaningful discussions and aims to unite those who wish to act in the best long-term interests of the game.

Find out more by visiting https://www.gbqdigital.com/.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The GBQ Podcast, host Sarah Stirk sits down with Anders Mankert, owner of Leicester Golf Centre and The PGA’s newest Master Professional. During their discussion, we discover:

• How he risked everything to pursue his ambition of owning and running a golf facility where he could set the standards – and how that has blossomed beyond his wildest dreams
• Why respect and consideration are hugely important, but dress codes are not
• How PGA pros must use PGA Excel to enhance their careers – and why he would think twice about employing anyone who doesn’t
• Why being named a Master Professional by his peers is an honour with which he is still coming to terms

What is Golf Business Quarterly? Created by The PGA, GBQ presents a rounded view of golf business, providing in-depth interviews and genuine analysis of key data around the most important topics facing the golf industry. It deals in facts, data and experts in their field, it stimulates meaningful discussions and aims to unite those who wish to act in the best long-term interests of the game.

Find out more by visiting https://www.gbqdigital.com/.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The GBQ Podcast, host Sarah Stirk sits down with Elisa Gaudet, founder of Women’s Golf Day. During their discussion, we discover:

• Why golf needs to invest if it really wants more women and juniors to play the game
• How the “tough” UK market needs to step up and embrace the Women’s Golf Day concepT
• How Women’s Golf Day plans to develop over its next 10 years and what the ‘unicorn’ future for the sport would be

What is Golf Business Quarterly? Created by The PGA, GBQ presents a rounded view of golf business, providing in-depth interviews and genuine analysis of key data around the most important topics facing the golf industry. It deals in facts, data and experts in their field, it stimulates meaningful discussions and aims to unite those who wish to act in the best long-term interests of the game.

Find out more by visiting https://www.gbqdigital.com/.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The GBQ Podcast, host Sarah Stirk sits down with Dr Alan Hocknell, Titleist’s Vice President of Advanced Research and Innovation. During their discussion, we discover:

• How his career has taken him to the biggest OEMs in the world – including Callaway and Acushnet
• How the science of designing ever-improving golf equipment works
• The evolution of technology he has seen during his professional career
• The challenges of continual improvement given the restrictions they work to
• The dichotomy between the tour professionals who can seemingly reduce every course to pitch and putt and the other 99.9 per cent of us who need all the help we can get from our equipment
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What is Golf Business Quarterly? Created by The PGA, GBQ presents a rounded view of golf business, providing in-depth interviews and genuine analysis of key data around the most important topics facing the golf industry. It deals in facts, data and experts in their field, it stimulates meaningful discussions and aims to unite those who wish to act in the best long-term interests of the game.

Find out more by visiting https://www.gbqdigital.com/.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.