Golf Club Talk UK

Golf Club Talk UK meets up with Carol Ann Baxter, Executive Director with the PGA of Canada Ottawa.  One will discover that Carol Ann is a trailblazer, her entrepreneurship has seen her build one of the most fun loving golf facilities - Archies in Cornwall , Ontario - her passionate leadership and attitude is an inspiration for others. During 2021 she received the accolade of Life Membership with...

For those that attended the GCMA conference back in November they will be familiar with Chris Cook's closing session on his "2 Lengths".  This was an inspiring talk that focused on keeping things simple and for Chris, the simple bit was swimming two lengths of the pool as fast as he could!   In this episode of GCMA Insights, Olympian Chris Cook expands more on this fascinating mindset and how simp...

In episode 64 - Leighton is joined by Sam Williams from Cookie Jar Golf, which has risen very quickly in prominence in the Golf space.  On top of their Podcast which delves into architecture, history and tour Golf - Sam, Tom & Bruce also host great events, create video content and are now also helping clubs with their marketing.   Sam and Leighton chat many things Golf, including architecture, mod...

Golf Club Talk UK share time with Peter Hickling, former Club Manager who developed a successful club business at High Post GC and more recently transferring his knowledge and passion into Ground2Control a cloud based Resource and Safety management system that has been effectively designed for golf club businesses.   Peter also shares his entrepreneurial adventure around the development of his gla...

Along with Gavin Robinson of GCMA we welcome Karen and Kevin from BRS to talk Q1 data for member play.  Many in the industry will be keen to see how 2022 performs against 2021 but perhaps just as importantly, against pre-COVID 2019.   Initially the trends still look very positive but will it continue?  This is a must listen for anyone who wants to keep their finger on the utilisation pulse and be...

In this episode and after a catch up between Leighton & Eddie, Golf Club Talk UK share some time with Richard Leeves [GM Chestfield Golf Club]    Richard shares his journey and his first two years in the role as GM at Chestfield GC, including the initial challenges of starting the role through Covid.  How he is influencing the change of culture within his team. The challenges of managing a 15th ce...

What a great episode we have for you as we're joined by Isaiah Mwesige from the Afriyea Golf Academy in Uganda.   This Golf Academy is changing young lives in Uganda through providing an entry into the game of Golf but much, much more than that.... education, employment prospects and also learning about the environment.  Isaiah talks us through his journey into the game as well as the inspiration...

Two interviews on episode 60 - Eddie chats with Steve Vinnicombe, General Manager/Head Golf Professional at Bedford & County Golf Club. Steve shares his exciting journey, how he combines the diverse role responsisbilities as General Manager, Head Professional, Golf Coach. Steve is energetic and illustrates his passion in adding to the community spirit at the club while driving the strategic object...

Leighton makes a trip to Liverpool and the "Golf Coast" to visit the Managing Secretary of Royal Birkdale, Michael Sawicki.   Michael has had a very steady progression through teh Golf Management ranks to find himself at this great club.  We discuss his journey to Royal Birkdale but then also go into more depth about the club itself but also some of the things that go with hosting the Open Champio...

On the first episode of GCMA Insights for 2022, we feature the GCMA Mentor programe released in late 2021 and due to commence in May 2022.  The scheme is designed to draw on the best in our industry to nurture the next generation of industry professionals.  Leighton is joined by Tom Brooke, CEO of GCMA along with four of the new mentors (listed below) and Biddy Lloyd Jones and Keith Maynard who ha...

Following Leighton & Eddie's catch up, we talk to Amelia Lewis from Players 1st to deep-dive into member and guest surveys including the results, benefits, how best to frame your surveys and how to use the information to assist member retention. Players 1st is the world's leading supplier of Customer Experience solutions specifically designed to help golf operators retain and recruit members by he...

Great to be back for 2022 and we kick off then year with two interviews.  Following a catch up with Eddie and Leighton, Eddie speaks to Doug Poole, Chief Executive of the UK Golf Federation.  The UK Golf federation represent proprietary and commercial minded clubs and driving ranges across the UK https://www.ukgolffederation.com/home Doug gives us a run down of what's happening at the federation a...

On the last episode for 2021, Eddie and Leighton have a good catch up and a look back at 2021 including favourite episodes.  They then pull their crystal balls out for a look forward to 2022.   Following the intro, we're joined by our sponsors BRS.  Karen Moss and Kevin Murray provide some hugely valuable data on member utilisation numbers.  This is on the back of the August episode where visitor...

On this episode of GCMA Insights, we feature a recap of the GCMA conference held at Wyboston Lakes in November.  Leighton attended the conference, not only for some education but also to carry out some interviews with attendees, suppliers and presenters.  The event was a big success and Tom Brooke starts the show by giving us his views on why it was so successful.  The three key topics of sustaina...

After a long awaited visit to Royal Norwich, Leighton sits down in the Clubhouse with David Coventry - Chairman, and James Stanley - CEO of Royal Norwich.  After 9 holes and some Lunch, the trio talk through the Royal Norwich story, with David explaining the back-story and James taking us through the present and what's to come!  David has been at the heart of the move from the former site since th...

GCMA Insights on Golf Club Talk UK covers Wellbeing this time.  One of the three key themes at the GCMA Conference, the wellbeing of those working in the Golf industry is explored by Debbie Kleiner, a workplace wellbeing consultant.  Leighton and Debbie are also joined by Tom Brooke - CEO of GCMA, Craig Cotterill – Commercial Partnerships Manager and Gareth Morgan – GM of Long Ashton Golf Club.  W...

It's our 3rd episode of GCMA Insights on Golf Club Talk UK and the topic is Technology.  Leighton is joined by Gavin Robinson of GCMA, Craig Higgs of Golf Genius and Rob Corcoran from The Revenue Club.   Leading up to the GCMA Conference from 21st - 23rd November, the group give a flavour of how improving your technology can improve the customers experience, but also the experience of those runnin...

We're back with episode 54 and Leighton Walker has the two interviews this week.  First up is Lesley from BRS talking about EPOS systems, in particular the newly released BRS EPOS system.  David Brimble, owner of Hinksey Heights GC, near Oxford, also joins to talk about his experience utilising the new BRS system and how it integrates perfectly with the membership and tee management software. The...

It's our 2nd episode of GCMA Insights on Golf Club Talk UK and the topic is Sustainability.  Leighton is joined by Gavin Robinson of GCMA, Jonathan Smith of GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf and Liam Greasley of Green Club Energy. After starting at a broad level the discussion moves on to how Golf Clubs in particular can become more aware of sustainability, but also how they can minimise their i...

After a catch up from Eddie and Leighton we roll into two interviews. Louis Booth is forging a great young career at the age of only 26!  Louis has been in place as General Manager at Lincoln Golf Club for around 18 months and is already making his mark having come through COVID in good stead and now looking to develop the club's facilities, team and service.  Louis talks about his progression fro...

A unique episode of Golf Club Talk UK this week with a Europe v USA Ryder Cup preview interview. After Leighton & Eddie catch up for a chat, Eddie is then joined in the blue camp by Gregor Jamieson, Scottish native and Director of Golf at Lake Nona and representing USA in the red camp is Keith Stewart of the Pro Show and former guest of the show. The guys break down the upcoming Ryder Cup to be he...

Leighton & Eddie have the pleasure of being joined by Jeremy Tomlinson this week for a fascinating interview and an insight into what's happening at England Golf.  Jeremy talks about the early days of his tenure, England Golf's  Strategic Plan, sustainability, the Independent Golfer and much more.  Jeremy is very open and it leads to some great discussion. England Golf - https://www.englandgolf.or...

It's episode 50!! After a catch up with Eddie, this week Leighton speaks to Karen and Kevin from BRS about course utilisation and booking trends as they present some numbers for 2020 & 2021.  The data is taken from over 1900 across the UK & Ireland. The  guys look into what can be taken from the data and how clubs can use it to get ahead of the curve.  The numbers are a warning that we are not in...

On the first episode of GCMA Insights with Golf Club Talk UK, Leighton hosts a panel interview with four women from the Golf Industry.  The guests are: Natalie McColl, Membership Services Manager - GCMA Wilma Erskine, formerly Secretary Manager - Royal Portrush Nicola Cornwall, Administration Manager - Ross-on-Wye GC Alice Hiluta, PGA Professional - Royal Mid-Surrey GC The panel articulate part of...

Karl Morris is Europe's leading performance mind coach, delivering cutting edge methods of peak performance and goal achievement to a range of clients across sports and business. In this interview with Leighton, they explore some of the impact of the last eighteen months, but through a Golf, business and personal perspective.  Karl talks about adaptability, "looking up" and appreciating what's aro...