Golf Club Talk UK

It's the last episode for 2022 so Leighton and Eddie have a catch up and review to talk about things that have happened throughout the year but also look at some possible directions the industry might take in 2023. There's some chat on hot topics, reminders of favourite episodes and a couple of predictions. Have a listen and let us have any feedback, comments or suggestions on golfclubtalkuk@gmail.com Thanks as always to our sponsors BRS Golf - www.brsgolf.com https://eddiebullockgolf.com/

Two interviews on this episode and firstly - Richard Weeks. Richard is the Managing Secretary, Alwoodley Golf Club - Richard joins Golf Club Talk UK and shares his successful career trajectory - starting from his development as a PGA member - having position experiences at Fulford Golf Cub, The Berkshire, Roehampton Club then into the commercial golf operational sector at Hunley Hotel & Golf Club to his current role at Alwoodley Golf Club. There's some great advice and insights. In another of our interviews with people from the UK who have moved their careers overseas, Leighton is joined by Lee Strutt, Director of Agronomy at Cabot Cape Breton in Nova Scotia, Canada. This is a fantastic destination that has two outstanding courses and Lee talks us through his journey to get there. This also included a stop in Les Bordes, France. There's some great tips on moving abroad but also some inspiring thoughts on chasing your goals. https://alwoodleygolfclub.com/ https://cabotcapebreton.com/golf Lee Strutt - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-strutt-b406b134/ Thanks as always to our sponsors BRS Golf - www.brsgolf.com

Amidst everything that's happening currently with inflation and cost of living pressures, Leighton and Tom Brooke are joined by three experts from then industry who deal with membership in various ways. From thinking on subscription increases, how you can defend yourself with better retention and recruitment to flexible membership solutions, the guests have a detailed discussion and there's some great advice in there. There's also a strong emphasis on knowing your club, using data and making decisions based on this information. Thanks to all our guests. GCMA - https://www.gcma.org.uk/ Inicio Solutions - https://www.iniciosolutions.co.uk/ Play More Golf - https://www.playmore.golf/ Fairway Credit - https://www.premiumcredit.com/products/fairway-credit---member

Leighton & Eddie have a catch up on a few points including leadership! Leighton is then joined by Nicole Wheatley of Medi8 and the Golf Marketing Hub. Nicole has been a real trailblazer in the golf marketing space and has helped many big brands and clubs increase their presence. The Golf Marketing Hub is a newer initiative which gives peopel working at clubs tools and templates to help them market effectively. Nicole's journey and story is a really interesting one. We then kick off our mini-series on UK Golf Industry folk who have taken their careers overseas. John Caven of St Georges in Toronto, Canada leads us off. John worked at clubs in teh UK, including Loch Lomond before an opportunity arose at Oakdale Country Club in Toronto. John explains the challenges, successes and benefits of making this brave move with his family. Thanks to our sponsor BRS - https://www.brsgolf.com/web/ Medi8 Golf - https://medi8ltd.co.uk/ The Golf Marketing Hub - https://www.golfmarketinghub.com/ St Georges Golf & Country Club - http://www.stgeorges.org/index.html Peter Allis - Reflections on a life well lived https://www.waterstones.com/book/peter-alliss-reflections-on-a-life-well-lived/peter-alliss/9781782817949

In conjunction with the GCMA, we're back with our Q3 Particpation data episode. Kevin and Karen join us to update the listeners on member and visitor participation from July to September. It reveals some very interesting and positive numbers but can also be vital in steering club's direction. Membership will become vital in 2023 as will filling space on tee sheets and having this data at your fingertips can help drive decision making. Read more here BRS Golf - https://www.brsgolf.com/web/ GCMA - https://www.gcma.org.uk/

Leighton & Eddie kick off with a catch up. There's some interesting discussion around labour challenges, the current cost of living situation and how having a solid strategy will help. Eddie then shares time with the current Captain of The PGA of Great Britain & Ireland, Sarah Bennett - Sarah explains the journeys she has experienced during her fruitful career during her time on the Ladies European Tour to the pinnacle of her career as PGA Captain - 'the old oak tree was the start'. A good chat with a great person within our industry. https://www.sarahbennettgolf.co.uk/ Thanks to our sponsor BRS Golf: https://www.brsgolf.com/web/

On this month's episode of GCMA Insights on Golf Club Talk UK, we talk about the very relevant and real issue of the labour shortage, not just in Golf but in the wider business world. Recruiting and retaining staff has become more difficult for many reasons and our panel of guests explore what the issues are and how clubs can help themselves in recruiting good staff. The panel includes Gareth Morgan - GM at Long Ashton GC and Board member of GCMA, Steve Lloyd - Course Manager at The Worcestershire and Chairman of BIGGA, Jim Croxton - CEO of BIGGA and Michael Herd - Managing Consultant at Colt McKenzie McNair. The discussion covers; providing the right salaries and benefits to attract staff, providing the right conditions and environment and ensuring you have the right governance. This is a must listen for anyone facing issues in recruitment and retention. https://www.gcma.org.uk/ https://www.bigga.org.uk/ https://coltmm.com/

Leighton and Eddie have their monthly catch up followed by two interviews. Eddie speaks to Kevin Murray of Kevin Murray Golf Photography. Kevin has a long history in providing some of the most stunning Golf photography in the game. The total of courses shot, tallies around 450 and this is not just UK based but globally and includes players as well as courses. Eddie explores Kevin's journey and how he comes up with some of these great images. Leighton is then joined by Rob Bristow of Booth Golf & Leisure. Booth design, plan and build Golf spaces (as well as other leisure) through landform or what we might have previously known as landfill. These are often re-invented spaces and can include Practice areas as well as full Golf Courses. Leighton and Rob have a fascinating discussion which includes topics such as mixed use for Golf Courses, enhancing flora and fauna and the Biodiversity net gain scheme (yes, check this scheme out!). Well worth a listen. https://www.kevinmurraygolfphotography.com/ https://boothgolfandleisure.co.uk/ Thanks to our sponsors BRS Golf! https://www.brsgolf.com/web/

While talking about Governance might not float everyone's boat, it can be a fascinating subject and so crucial to everything we do as people working in the Golf industry. Jerry Kilby of Kanda Golf, is certainly well qualified to advise us all on good governance. He joins Leighton to talk about how you create a good governance platform to ensure you achieve success, retain and attract good staff and allow Managers and leaders to get on and do what they are there to do! This is a really good chat and we urge you to grab some good takeaways for your club. Find Jerry Kilby at Kanda Golf

Leighton and Eddie catch up for a yarn at the start of the show. Plenty has happened in the last month or so including.....you got it - Cam Smith winning the Open! The guys then welcome Emma Ballard to Golf Club Talk UK for a good old chat! Emma is the Editor of Women & Golf, an online publication focusing on well.....Women and Golf! Topics range from Emma's experience at the recent AIG Women's Open at Muirfield, including playing the course the day after as well as, obtaining her first handicap and what might help to engage women at your club. Really intersting discussion with one of Golf's good people. Women and Golf - https://womenandgolf.com/ Emma Ballard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmaballard/