Golf Club Talk UK

In this episode of GCMA Insights, we have four guests who dive into the latest iteration of the Golf Governance Guide.  Tom Brooke - CEO, GCMA, Jerry Kilby - Kanda Golf, Gavin Anderson and Matt Draper of England Golf explain why clubs should be using this as a valuable tool to ensure their club's Governance is in the right place.   The fours elements of good club governnace - Recruitment, Structur...

After Leighton & Eddie have a catch up they are both joined by Andy Laing - Course Manager, transitioning into General Manager at Gaudet Luce Golf Club in Worcestershire.  Gaudet Luce hosetd the recent GCTUK Golf Day and there's a lot to like about this unique venue.  Andy tells us about it, but also his own personal role at the club. Eddie is then joined by Chris Cuttler - Managing/Secretary at D...

Really interesting look into what clubs might be able to do with surplus land in this episode of GCMA Insights.   Leighton is joined by James Podesta of STRI and James has a strong background in development, but the focus of this chat is around ecologically improving your site, where this might also have financial benefits.  This might even include dipping into Biodiversity net credits!  Please ha...

Our April episode of GCMA Insights and Leighton starts by catching up with Tom Brooke, CEO of GCMA.  Tom provides an update on all happenings at the assosication and we recommend you visit the website for more details: www.gcma.org.uk Karen and Kevin then join Leighton for their quarterly look at the numbers.  This includes rounds played and membership numbers.  This is always really informative a...

After Leighton and Eddie catch up for a quick chat, Eddie is Joined by "Jazzy Golfer".  Jasmine- AKA Jazzy Golfer, is all about getting more women and girls into Golf, while improving her own game along the way.  Jazzy is an entrepeneur, content creater and presenter and her views are enlightening and will hopefully inspire not only women, but all those in the industry.  It's a great conversation....

Episode 77 features an interview with Russell Stebbings, GM at Frilford Heath in Oxfordshire.   Russell, CCM talks to Leighton about many topics including his club, projects happening there, his ethos in management and his recent experience in Orlando for the World Conference.  Russell is a great operator with a wealth of experience and some of his thought leadership make this a fascinating listen...

Tom Brooke (CEO - GCMA) joins Leighton to give an update on the successful accreditation scheme launched in 2022, and now with over 45 Managers accredited. Leighton & Tom are also joined by four accredited people from the industry across the four levels; Rob Climas - North Hants GC, John Jackson - Haydock Park GC, Reece Mayberry - Caldecott Hall and Matt Hart - Hythe GC.  The guests give the reaso...

Ryan and Edward talk us through the significant restoration that is taking place at the Addington Golf Club in London.  What was arguably the most notable course in the Country between the two World Wars, was left untouched for a long time before the Altonwood group took it over in more recent times.  Ryan and Edward talk us through the why, what and how of the changes and how they've uncovered so...

Leighton & Eddie catch up for their monthly chat, but this time they are joined by Isaiah Mwisege, CEO of Afriyea Golf Academy, who is currently spending a few months studying in Salford, Manchester.  Isaiah gives us a quick overview of why he is here, but also what is happening with Afriyea Golf Academy in Fort Portal, Uganda.  He also explains that he is keen to catch up with any of his UK conta...

In this episode we revisit the highly regarded GCMA Mentor Program that's been running since early 2022.  After an introduction with Tom Brooke, CEO of the GCMA, Leighton is joined by two mentors and two mentees to talk about their experience so far.  Guests include: MENTORS Scott Clark - Boyce Hill Golf Club Richard Penley-Martin - Denham Golf Club   MENTEES Owain Hoskins - Olton Golf Club Jonath...

After Leighton and Eddie catch up for a January debrief, Leighton is joined by Sandy Jamieson for a fascinating chat.  Sandy is located in Melbourne Australia and is the creater of 1Club Golf, a great way to learn the game of Golf.   Sandy has previously worked as a Coach to PGA Tour players, including Robert Allenby but after a move back to Australia wanted to shift the motive to introducing more...

It's time for a look at what the date is saying on participation and membership as we complete 2022.  This is where we really start to get a look at comparisons year on year.  It appears that numbers are still strong in 2022 and well beyond 2019 figures but are they better than 2021?? Tune in to find out where we are and make sure you're keeping in touch and relating things back to your own club....

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@gma...

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...

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...

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 mark...

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...

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 Eur...

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 M...

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...

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 a...

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...

An innovation this episode with a Golf Club Talk UK podcast and GCMA webinar taking place at the same time.  Gavin Robinson of the GCMA kicks off the session with Leighton and they are joined by Karen Moss and Kevin Murray from BRS.  BRS are leading the way in providing relevant and timely data.  Kevin and Karen talk through the current trends that are emerging from the Q2 Participation Report.  T...

On this episode of GCMA Insights we look at the new accreditation program.  This is a big step forward for the association and plays a further role in modernising and professionalising Golf Club Management.   This new initiative which launches later in August, will capture members' experience, skills and knowledge in various levels of accreditation.  This inevitably will enhance career prospects a...

Leighton kicks off with an introduction from St Andrews in the lead up to the Open.  He's also joined briefly by Tracey Walker who gives us a quick heads up into BIGGA's role at the Open Championship.  This involves a delegation of 55 Greenkeepers raking bunkers with each grouping throughout the tournament. Leighton also speaks to BRS/Golfnow, the show's partners on how to use data to maximise you...