Golf Club Talk UK

On episode 48 Eddie shares some time with David Edwards the renown golf entertainer.  Internationally known for his golf trick shows, his exhibitions prove his ability to execute some of the most impossible shots, and his clear communications prove invaluable to all who have experienced his entertainment.  David has also worked with some great names from then industry and shares a few stories. htt...

After Leighton & Eddie catch up, we welcome Tom, Natalie, Gavin & Craig from GCMA at what is the start of a collaboration between Golf Club Talk UK and GCMA.  The crew give us an introduction  to who they are but  also an overview of  where the association is currently and where it is going.  One of the team from GCMA will feature every few episodes and we will cover topical issues within the indu...

Leighton has a chat up with great friend of the show - Gabe Aluisy.  Gabe tells us about his pivot towards Youtube and the huge success he's having with Let's Play Thru with over 16,000 subscribers.  Gabe also tells clubs how they can use Youtube more successfully.  Check it out here Eddie has a fantastic chat with Keith Stewart who has made a significant impact in the world of golf with his succe...

Following a catch up between Eddie & Leighton, Eddie was delighted to chat with Matt Orwin - Cornwall College Group, Gavin Robinson - Professional Development Manager, Golf Club Managers Association (GCMA) and Michael Herd - Senior Consultant, Colt Mackenzie Mcnair (CMM).  The discussion centres around the recent launch of the Golf Club Management Degree. The new degree has been launched as part o...

We're thrilled to have one of our friends of the podcast, Damien Connolly on episode 44! Damien has a wealth of experience from the Golf industry more recently including CGI (Confederation of Golf in Ireland) and then a move to his current role as Head Consultant at Mygolf Group.  The experience has been built both in managing clubs and consulting to a wide range of clubs in Ireland. Damien, who's...

After Leighton & Eddie catch up for their regular chat, Leighton speaks with Colin Mayes, Chief Executive of BGL (formerly Burhill).  Colin has been with the company for many years and has seen many changes in the industry in that time, but BGL continues to be a very successful part of Golf in the UK.  As well as letting listeners know what's happening at BGL, they delve into the proprietary side...

Our guest on episode 42 is Craig   Beeston of the Chartered Governance Institute who is the Programme Manager for The Sports Governance Academy that work in collaboration with Sport England.  Craig is a governance specialist and he shares significant best practice for golf clubs to be following, with general insights in how future boards will need to view their board level structures. Leighton and...

After Leighton & Eddie catch up to look at current events, Leighton is joined by Heather Mulley of Enville Golf Club.  Heather has gained an excellent reputation as a Manager and this was topped off by being crowned the 2019 GCMA Manager of the Year.  Heather tells us more about Enville and what makes it a great club as well as some of it's upcoming plans.  This includes a renovation of both cours...

One interview this week as Leighton is joined by Tom Brooke, the CEO of GCMA.  Tom has been in post now for 6 months and he talks through his early days in the role, forward plans and areas such as the GCMA benefits and Manager wellbeing which is becoming a focus.  Exciting times ahead for the association! GCMA - https://www.gcma.org.uk/ Tom Brooke - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-brooke-94b45967...

After a quick catch up between Leighton & Eddie, Eddie was delighted to share sometime with Daniel Hodson, founder of Play More Golf . Daniel has a vast amount of golf management experience , a career pathway with Crown Golf and then leading the golf destination experience programme with the De Vere Group of Hotels . Daniel shares his views on flexible golf, independent golfers and what next for b...

Golf Club Talk UK is delighted to welcome Chris Fitt: Director of Golf & Leisure - Chris has been influential in the recent developments at Foxhills while being an active contributor to the future golf leaders group within the industry. Chris shares his experiences and insights of his progressive career path and being associated with some of the leading golf destinations in the country.  Leighton...

From Horseboxes to management buyouts this episode.  After Leighton & Eddie catch up for a chat, Eddie is joined by Steve Salter from Salt Club Consulting.  Steve's expertise and specialism is helping clubs with their technology , having been associated with a number of golf clubs and golf destinations he has been sought after in assisting golf club businesses with their technology strategy . Stev...

Two interviews this month and we catch up with Stephen Nicholson, GM at Haydock Park Golf Club.  Stephen, a finalist in the GCMA Manager of the year is building a good reputation as a Golf Club Manager.  Leighton and Stephen talk a lot about remaining positive for your staff and members, particularly through a crisis.  Stephen also mentions his new venture - Mango Golf Management which is just bei...

After Leighton and Eddie catch up to review what's been happening over the last few weeks, Leighton talks to Mike Clayton and Ed Cartwright from CDP (Clayton, Devries & Pont), a unique and global design collaboration based in the UK, Europe and USA.   The discussion centres largely around some of the fundamentals of course architecture and challenges, but Ed also explains what CDP is hoping to do...

Leighton and Eddie catch up for an end of year chat and look forward to what Golf clubs might be thinking about in 2021.  With the opportunities presented, clubs will need to continue to think outside the box and provide an innovative offer.  Eddie also pays respect to long time friend and guest of the show - Peter Allis Plenty of great interviews to come in 2021 and thanks to all of our loyal lis...

Leighton & Eddie catch up for their usual look at what's been happening in the past month.  Following this they're joined by Adam Keable and Colin Bell from Gather!  Gather is a new initiative designed to build a community which will disrupt and ask some difficult questions of the Golf industry.  With a Podcast, video and online networking initiatives, the guys will open up debate and share knowle...

Over seven months on from our first International Round Table episode, Leighton and Eddie revisit with Kevyn Cunningham from Half Moon Bay in Jamaica and John Caven from Oakdale Golf & Country Club in Toronto, Canada.  This time they're also joined by Luis Rio, Secretary at Morgado Golf Club in Portugal and David Shepherd of The Scandinavian outside Copenhagen, Denmark.  The guys explore how they...

Eddie speaks with Matt Adamski ( General Manager ) of Sweetens Cove Golf Club . Sweetens Cove has developed a cult following, a unique nine hole golf course in Tennessee, it's recently been included within the top 100 modern golf courses , also the New York Times mentioned it as " The Little Course That Could "  Matt shares the amazing story about Sweetens Cove, as one of the coolest golf experien...

We welcome back Stuart Finlay, GM of Radyr Golf Club in Cardiff. Stuart first appeared on the show two years ago, not long after starting in his new role as GM, having come from Wales Golf. We look back at what Stuart has done at Radyr as well as the successes, tough times and what's ahead. Stuart is open and honest and it's a fascinating interview form one of the industry's sharp operators. Feel...

After Leighton and Eddie catch up to look at what's happening in the industry currently, Eddie sits down with John Cockayne: Specialist Golf Consultant based in Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands. John has extensive experiences within the golf industry and shares his ideas and insights with the developments of the golf business. Leighton then chats with Doug Philip of DPSM Consultants. D...

Episode 28 features our new sponsor "BRS Golf". Leighton talks to Bob and Peter from BRS about how COVID has affected rounds played as well as membership but they also talk through some of the great innovation that BRS are producing to help clubs. From membership management to member finance they are building the complete package for golf clubs. Leighton then talks to Torbjorn "Toby" Johanssen, Di...

A brief in between episode this time with Leighton chatting through his experiences over the last 5 months and the effect that it's had on his club, Cirencester as well as him personally.  This is followed by Michelle Baker from the Melanoma Fund who explains the "Slip, Slap, Swing" campaign designed to raise awareness around melanoma and skin cancer. The campaign has many UK Golf Clubs on board. ...

Golf Club Talk UK welcome Harriet Shephard and Kim Wild who head up, Women and Golf magazine, UKs leading golf magazine for women. The magazine has recently made the transition to purely a digital platform, Harriet and Kim share their vision moving forward and why clubs need to embrace the female community. Visit https://womenandgolf.com/ to check out the magazine.  Leighton speaks to Chris Duffy,...

Leighton and Eddie have a catch up discussing among other things, the reopening of Clubhouses, Bryson De Chambeau and the European Tour recommencing. On the back of this, Leighton interviews Gavin Robinson, Personal Development Manager of the GCMA. Gavin has been playing a pivotal role in keeping members informed throughout the COVID-19 crisis. He explains how he has done this and talks about some...

Leighton and Eddie have a general chat on Episode 24. They explore many of the issues that have come out of the COVID-19 crisis. They delve into areas such as what they've both been up to, new members and the spike that clubs have seen here, 9 hole competitions, club culture, tee time bookings at members clubs, innovation and technology and much more. Many opportunities have arisen out of COVID-19...