COURSE • RESORT • RANGE • RETAIL
Transcription
COURSE • RESORT • RANGE • RETAIL
GRN OGRO the magazine for the golf industry August 2014 Featuring: Silvermere The Course Owner - Marc Hayton Golf Management ESP at Hoebridge COURSE • RESORT • RANGE • RETAIL Hot Of fer s are f lying out of the door - don’t b e l e ft o n t h e s h el f - s i g n u p today! Make sure your golf resort is featured on the most exciting golf travel site of the year Contact any of the team to learn more Colin Jenkins: [email protected] 0776 8887033 Rohan Barnett: [email protected] 07747 808849 or Will Davies: [email protected] 01580 715248 grn-ogro • the magazine for the golf industry • grn-ogro CONTENTS Silvermere Golf and Leisure - 4 Golf Management - 16 Converting enquiries into sales at Hoebridge - 20 The Course Owner - 22 Notes from the UKGCOA Chief Executive - 28 Retail News - 36 Golf Foundation News - 42 Golf Courses 4 Sale - 48 PGA News - 58 Machinery4Golf - 62 Aston Wood Golf Club - 66 Spanish Open Legacy to Boost Golf Tourism to Costa Brava - 70 News - 72 Classifieds - 86 Cover photo: The magnificent new range at Silvermere Golf and Leisure. GRN OGRO Colin Jenkins PGA Editor - GRN-OGRO Chairman - OGRO Tel +44 (0)1580 715248 [email protected] www.grn-ogro.com Rohan Barnett MSc Production - GRN-OGRO Managing Director - OGRO Tel +44 (0)1580 715043 [email protected] www.ogro.org GRN-OGRO - is the monthly magazine for the golf industry in the UK and Europe. GRN is delivered free of charge to all golf clubs, ranges, centres and clubs throughout the UK. Recent issues are available as digital editions and back issues are available to download in PDF format via the website: www.grn-ogro.com. If you would like details of advertising rates or subscriptions please contact the office. OGRO - The Organisation of Golf & Range Operators was founded in 2002 to serve the interests of golf owners and operators in the UK and Europe. OGRO’s 14th Annual Event GolfBIC 2015 - will be held at the Forest of Arden 16th - 17th March in partnership with UKGCOA. Golf Resorts Direct - a website from GRN-OGRO that will find resorts more wellmatched customers. Each resort is given a comprehensive listing on the website, together with a GRD rating and an opinion on the resort. The website carries special offers, which can be customised for the resorts own corporate sponsors. By offering the lowest possible price for golf breaks. Golf Courses 4 Sale - a GRN-OGRO supplement carrying all the news about golf facilities for sale. This section in the magazine and the website www.golfcourse4sale.co.uk. is the best resource for all those wishing to sell or purchase a golf facility. Machinery 4 Golf - is a ‘one-stop-shop’ for buying or selling used golf machinery www.machinery4golf.net. All golf facilities need to find or sell used machinery and we have created the one place on the web that brings sellers and buyers in the golf industry together. Golf Range Finder - www.golfrangefinder.co.uk is the top google website for members of the public looking for a golf range. When you join OGRO as a Premium Member you are eligible for a free upgrade on the site. Editor Colin Jenkins PGA Production Rohan Barnett MSc Contributing Editors Carsten Hallas, Matt Ward, Jerry Kilby Advertising Marion Jenkins Website ocean-design.co.uk Printed by Pensord Ltd. - 01495 22321 Published by GRN Ltd. © GRN Ltd. 2014 Polmood Sissinghurst Kent TN17 2AJ United Kingdom Fax +44 (0)1580 714516 www.grn-ogro.com 1 grn-ogro • the magazine for the golf industry • grn-ogro Championship. Peter Alliss bought golf to the masses with Around With Alliss and Pro Celebrity Golf. Both of these formats could do with revising now – they are relatively cheap to make and provide a wealth of fun for the viewers – golf on the telly equates to more golfers playing. With the new dates for The Golf Business and Industry Convention - GolfBIC announced as 1617th March 2015 (please save the date) - it is With the rise of Rory McIlroy, we now have, if we important to remember that golf courses and the can claim him, the best golfer in the world. This is wider golf industry need to work together. The not just our opinion, but the opinion of virtually UKGCOA and England Golf are working together to everyone in the golf world and, most of all, the assist with the disgraceful disparity between opinion of his peers – the top players in the world. member owned courses and proprietor owned He is supremely confident, hugely long from the courses on tax. They are making some progress tee and very accurate. He also plays the game and we will all be delighted when there is real with delicious style and a swagger of confidence, parity between these sectors, but at present there but speaks with the humility of a wise man – not is no beneficial news on this issue for those falsely modest, but very conscious of his gift and commercial operators running golf businesses. his place in the golf world. We are truly blessed When a situation is so out of kilter with natural fair with his golf and charm. play it will only be a matter of time before some His newly underlined brilliance is not yet dramatic changes are required. If member owned translating into increasing the numbers of golfers golf clubs continue to compete in the market with playing on our courses, despite the fact that clubs proprietor owned golf clubs and hide behind are seeing some more players in recent months. We have to accept that golf is not as popular as it ‘dodgy’ tax arrangements, there will come a day of reckoning. I am not suggesting that there is a used to be and not everyone, especially young deliberate deception on the part of private adults, have the desire or opportunity to play members’ golf clubs, but there is perhaps a regularly. Golf will have to continue to re-invent willingness to allow the various fudges, which are itself to find new and exciting ways to attract a now in place to continue. This must stop. wider audience. One of the problems is the lack of A united golf sector is the vision of England golf on free access TV, and the fact that most Golf and David Joy is working very hard with his national newspapers do not cover golf outside of team to unite the game, but there is still a wide the majors and the Ryder Cup. Even though The tax and fairness gap between the commercial Times and The Sun are ultimately owned by the operators and their member owned counter-parts. same group that own SKY SPORTS, their day-toThe proprietary sector is where 90% of the future day coverage of golf is appallingly light, even growth will come from, so ultimately, progressive though they could easily inform their willing readership of background golf issues, which would and well-run golf centres will prosper. At GolfBIC 2015, we will be exploring new keep golf in the consciousness of the wider public ways that we can ‘Sweat the Asset’ and make – it seems that the great Murdoch machine is owning a golf facility a naturally profitable wasting a free resource! Golf, like any other mainstream sport, is a massive gravy train for the operation, rather than one more used to minimising losses. We will even explore other uses controllers of the TV rights and it is a shame that for golf courses, which may delight and amaze even the R & A may in the future be swayed by some of those attending. You can book your place the false gold of SKY SPORTS, should they be now at www.golfbic.com allowed to buy the rights in the next round of contractual discussions for the Open Best wishes, Colin Jenkins GRN OGRO 2 +44 (0)1580 715248 August 2014 FREE DE DELIV ELIVER VER RY WHEN YOU SPEND D OVER £1,000 COMPREHENSIV VE RANGE OF MA ATS AND BALLLS A AV VAILABLE t tice Ma e Prac i-Rang at e Pro M i-Rang Mat l ssmic included e Cla Fra e i-Rang Mat Airflex er e Rubb i-Rang Restric te £159 £2.99 d Fligh t from £2.75 £2. 60 £149 £169 Frame £99 me £109 sic Fra e Clas i Rang i- 2 Piece Balls £139 g Mat Teachiin e g n a i-R e i-Rang 1 Piece Balls £99 QUA LIT & Y VALU E BLE AVAILA S E L P M SA Fre ee delivery when you spend over £1000 in a single order. Order can consist of balls, mats and other i-KAN GC stocke ed products. Offe er ends 31/10/14. OGRO Preferred Supplier Call 01482 333 123 email: [email protected] web: i-KA ANGC.com grn-ogro • the magazine for the golf industry • grn-ogro SILVERMERE Silvermere Golf and Leisure – setting new standards for the golf range industry Silvermere has for many years been one of the busiest golf courses in Europe. It has a great location, just off the M3 and M25 in the Surrey stockbroker belt, and the course itself is beautifully maintained and a pleasure to play. Lined with mature trees and attractive water features, it would, in its own right, stand alone as 4 +44 (0)1580 715248 a very busy and successful golf course. But Silvermere is much more than just a golf course: it has the Doug McLelland Superstore, a golf range and the Silvermere Inn on the Lake, which is a major food and beverage enterprise, and host to an impressive number of large functions each week. grn-ogro • the magazine for the golf industry • grn-ogro The course is owned by the Hilliard family: Tom Hilliard OBE and his son Jeff run Silvermere and also Kingswood Golf Club in Surrey - along with their other business interests. Doug McClelland was an exceptionally good Tour player and friend and contemporary of Seve, Ian Woosnam, Sandy Lyle, etc, before turning his attentions to golf tuition and golf retail. He moved from Laleham Golf Club to Silvermere in the 1980’s and has developed the retail side of the business into the remarkable institution that Above: The fabulous new 52 bay golf range.. greets golfers today. Terry Sims, who founded Left Handed Golf, joined forces with Doug and the Hilliards to help to further develop the left handed niche, retail in general, and the online retail offering. For many years, Silvermere had a great name for its golf range. It was one of the first ranges to use good quality two-piece balls, rather than inferior, lumpen one- piece balls from 30 years www.grn-ogro.com 5 grn-ogro • the magazine for the golf industry • grn-ogro ago. Over the last three decades, the range industry has moved on a pace, and Silvermere found it initially difficult to gain planning permission for the sort of facility that would allow them to properly expand their business. But, eventually, after much work and endeavour by all concerned, planning was obtained for the 52 bay, two tier range that we see today. During the build process, which was managed and completed with the maximum of speed and efficiency, it was vital for the business to continue to offer a golf range to its customers, so temporary flooring, mats and two Dry Rainges were installed 40 metres in front of the range bay construction. Balls are a vital ingredient to any golf range. At Silvermere the white, two-piece Srixon range ball is used for most golfers. For fittings and specialist golf lessons the Srixon Z Star, yellow is used. This is a top line ball with the latest technology and offers golfers the best possible range ball used today in Europe. For golfers deciding on a new club, or working hard with ball tracking technology to discover new elements of 6 +44 (0)1580 715248 Above: HRH The Duke of York, with Doug McLelland and Tom Hilliard OBE. their ball flight, it is very important to have the very best golf ball available. Leslie Hepsworth, who heads up Srixon Cleveland in the UK made the following comment: “Silvermere have always done things at the very best end of the scale. When we were approached to supply the golf balls for both of the range and the specialist teaching and club fitting, we were thrilled. The technological advancements in golf ball and club technology, club fitting and the golf swing have combined to make golf a highly technical sport. I can think of no other golf range that so comprehensively strives to offer the best possible experience and service to its customers.” Silvermere Golf and Leisure has recently completed the building of its fabulous new 52 bay golf range. Set on two tiers, with a depth and style to the bays, it gives a great modern take on how OGRO Preferred Supplier grn-ogro • the magazine for the golf industry • grn-ogro to provide practice facilities to the industry. Downstairs the range is equipped with Power Tees in every bay. Retail is at the heart of their new golf range and they wanted to ensure that they have the best possible retail experience on the range. This was shown clearly on their opening day when they had all their major manufacturers exhibiting and a colossal number of clubs of all descriptions were sold. With the Doug McLelland Superstore turning over around £5 million per annum for the last 20 years, retail is a significant part of the overall business at Silvermere. High-quality golf products are sold with a great range and also at a good price; although discounting is not the outright intention, Silvermere has an excellent reputation for price. Far more important to Doug and his team is service and choice. Service is the driver for all that happens in the retail environment and all the staff are highly trained to explain the features and benefits of any particular product that is stocked. Planet Footjoy is one of the most remarkable new additions to the retail offering at Silvermere. The entire Footjoy catalogue is fully stocked in the golf shop, so that is every pair and every size and option of shoe made by Footjoy are held in stock! They also stock an extensive range of Ecco, Adidas, Nike, Puma and Callaway. The total stock holding in shoes alone is almost £200,000. This is a colossal investment and the attention to detail is already paying huge dividends with customers normally only able to buy the most popular selling colour of a particular style of Footjoy shoe. Now, the staff at Silvermere are finding many golfers walking away with several pairs of shoes, as they are delighted to be able to buy top quality items with a complete range of sizes, colours and styles, and all sold with superb service and at a good price. The range outfield was totally overhauled during the build process and much of the work was done by the greenkeeping team, who worked around the clock to make sure all was in place for the opening. The range outfield is beautifully presented and allows for plenty of options for the 8 +44 (0)1580 715248 Above: HRH The Duke of York, has been taught by Doug for many years. He plays off 4 and is a member of Hoylake. golfer. It is hard to imagine it has been finished so recently, as the quality of the grass and contouring has the mature look of an established course. Andy Weeks of Hi-Nets supplied the netting system, which can be extended if needed in the future. European Golf Machinery was responsible for much of the internal bay dividers and range work, with Range Servant supplying the ball dispensers. Range pricing is always an interesting subject. A £4 basket has 30 balls (36 balls off peak), and a £6 basket has 60 balls (72 balls off peak), with 100 balls costing £8 with an extra 20 balls at offpeak times. For those pre-purchasing their credit, if they spend £25 on ball credit they will receive £30 worth of balls, ie an extra 20%, and £50 will get an extra £15 worth of credit. If you spend £100, you will get £140 worth of golf ball credit. A grn-ogro • the magazine for the golf industry • grn-ogro detailed system, but one rewarding bulk, up-front purchasing with strong discounts. From all accounts it seems to be working well. A total of 18 PGA professionals are based at Silvermere and the range and scope of the tuition offered is very broad. Doug, who still teaches some very high profile customers, including HRH The Duke of York, spoke to GRN-OGRO: team at Silvermere. The main brands, Titleist, Ping, Cleveland, Callaway, Wilson, Srixon, Cobra, Yonex, TaylorMade and Mizuno are available for full custom fitting. At many golf facilities, the branding of a custom fit bay is claimed by one manufacturer. This provides great exposure to that manufacturer, but it does make it more difficult to fit another brand inside that bay. Silvermere have four dedicated custom fit bays all of which have access to unbranded storage areas, which contain drawer after drawer of the top club components. A customer who has shown a preference for one manufacturer can then be entertained with all of the custom fit options, and at the flick of a switch the fitting bay is transformed into the preferred manufacturer’s branding. Marc Hatton, from MCS, was the fitting room digital branding specialist who co-ordinated the fitting suites digital tiling. New branding, logos and manufacturers’ themes can easily be added remotely to the system, so the displays are constantly up to date with the latest products and latest players. Marc spoke to GRN-OGRO: “Teaching is such an important part of our job here at Silvermere and we are determined to do it as well as it can be done. All of our coaches are highly professional and very engaging with the customers and can communicate their message clearly. Some golfers want to learn in groups at a lower cost, others want highly technical tuition. Our premium tuition even offers coaching with the latest Srixon Z Star balls in a private bay, with the exceptional ball flight technology from Foresight Sports. We can deliver all the price points for teaching and we have always had a great team – now we have the range to match, there will be no holding us back. We have seen a substantial rise in the number of lessons given since we opened.” “Silvermere is the first golf course to adopt a Custom fit is a vast subject and one that few people can cover with as much expertise as the Below: The range under construction. www.grn-ogro.com 9 grn-ogro • the magazine for the golf industry • grn-ogro fitting room digital video wall solution within the UK, facilitating instant single brand room reconfiguration at the touch of a button. It is very far-sighted to see the opportunity that this type of flexibility and professionalism can bring, and we are sure that it will be a great success.” Foresight Sports have been doing extremely well with their GC2 launch monitor, and they were chosen to supply the ball flight technology and golf technology for the bays. The new fitting bays have for the first time in a traditional golf range setting, fully incorporating indoor and outdoor options for fitting and teaching. This was a remarkable achievement by Foresight Sports and the team at Silvermere. Terry Sims elaborates: “After careful thought and much research we decided to ask Foresight Sports to be our technology partner. Our vision was to be able to use the bays for teaching, fitting and as simulators throughout the year. Once the winter weather reaches us, we will be ready with two of the four specialist bays devoted to indoor use, so our customers can stay warm and dry and enjoy playing a famous course, being measured for clubs or having a specialist golf lesson in a warm and comfortable environment, regardless of the weather outside. We are delighted that the installation went so smoothly and the logistical challenge of adding this flexible technology for both indoor and out was quite outstandingly managed by Foresight.” Given the importance to Silvermere of club fitting and teaching, this was a big undertaking. Ed Doling from Foresight Sports added: 10 +44 (0)1580 715248 Above: The new fitting bays have for the first time in a traditional golf range setting, fully incorporating indoor and outdoor options for fitting and teaching. “Everyone at Foresight Sports is delighted to have been selected by Silvermere to be their technology partner in the new golf range. It is without question one of the best golf ranges in Europe, and one that raises the bar in terms of design and layout. Silvermere have chosen our GC2 and HMT in each of their custom fitting and coaching bays. The Foresight technology provides the ultimate fitting, coaching and analysis experience for their customers. The installation process went very smoothly and the whole team at Silvermere were a pleasure to work with. The combination of the new facilities and best technology ensures that Silvermere is now one of the very best facilities anywhere.” As you would expect, Silvermere had a spectacular opening event recently. The driving range was officially opened by HRH The Duke of York, who has been taught for many years by Doug. Before cutting the ribbon he said: “I am really pleased that not only has this been done, but it has been delivered on time, to budget, and ready for occupation in record time. So congratulations, I wish you all every continued success, and I hope that this is a fantastic local facility.” summ mer spec cial off fer # transf t form # you ur # rang ge BAAYY DIVIDERS OUUTFIELD TAARGETS RAANGE EQUIPMENT FLOOORING ACCESSORIES C RAANGEBAYY Visit our website . SALE S . BUY 4 HORRIZONTAL DISTANNCE MARKERSS GET 5TH FREE* BUY 5, 5 1.5M 1 5M LONG PVC TEARDROPSS GET LOGOS FREE* FULL RANGEE REFURB 10% OFF O * OGRO Preferred Supplier BUY TWO CCHIPPING NETS GET G THIRDD HALF PRICE* * Te erms s & Conditions apply. See S website for details. Ends 30-9-2014 utions.co.uk c 01948 830702 m [email protected] w www.rangesolutions.c grn-ogro • the magazine for the golf industry • grn-ogro Several of the world’s top golf professionals took part in a range of golfing activities throughout the course of the launch day. Thomas Bjorn interacted with young golfers by taking part in a Callaway Challenge, which saw him compete against budding golfers from the audience by hitting balls over the Silvermere Lake. Bjorn signed fan autographs and posed for pictures, before heading to Silvermere’s new driving range, which he described as a “pretty impressive building.” Francesco Molinari held a clinic on the range and responded to questions from the audience, before heading to Above: Tom Hilliard OBE and Jeff Hilliard on site one of the new fitting studios to give a private during construction. lesson to a Silvermere competition winner. Victor Below: Thomas Bjorn and Victor Dubuisson Dubuisson socialised with customers in the Golf Superstore, posing for pictures and signing autographs before joining the rest of the players he said, “Congratulations to Silvermere on opening and staff on the range for the official opening. your new 2 tier 52 bay driving range today - best Trick shot show legend Paul Barrington wowed the around by far!” audience with his skills. Speaking after the event 12 +44 (0)1580 715248 OGRO Preferred Supplier grn-ogro • the magazine for the golf industry • grn-ogro The Ladies tour was represented by Solheim Cup veteran Trish Johnson and rising Welsh star Becky Brewerton, who gave a joint Short Game clinic on the new driving range, followed by an impromptu bunker master class from the redesigned short game area. Speaking of her experience at the launch event Brewerton said: “Great morning at Silvermere with Thomas Bjorn and Victor Dubuisson opening the new driving range. Awesome facility!” As well as the day’s golfing activities a huge multi brand golf equipment demo and fitting weekend took place across the whole weekend. All major brands including Ping, Titleist, Callaway, Cobra, 14 +44 (0)1580 715248 Above: The outfield offers a wealth of targets for for golfers. Mizuno, Yonex, Cleveland and Nike were in attendance with their latest kit and fitting technology, plus TaylorMade and Wilson Tour trucks parked up for the weekend, so custom fitted clubs were made on the day. GRN-OGRO will be back to feature some of the innovations and technology in more depth in later issues, but this is really raising the bar the golf range industry and well worth visiting. For more details on this exceptional golf facility, please visit: www.silvermere-golf.co.uk grn-ogro • golf management • grn-ogro Golf Management THEREMANAGEMENT GOLF ARE NO PROBLEMS, ONLY OPPORTUNITIES I am an optimistic person, I see the glass half-full, not half-empty. I have been a sales person for most of my life and I think sales people must be optimists – I do not think you can do the job if you are not. If your view of life, and of your part in the golf industry, is a view of problems, challenges and general malaise, then you need to take a step back and look again – as there are never any problems, there are only opportunities. One of the most annoying things about the golf industry as I see it, is that many of the people working in it, and whose livelihoods depends on a growing and healthy golf business, are pessimists and endlessly repeat the so-called ‘problems’ within golf, rather than focus on the great things about our wonderful sport. I would ask you, dear reader, to think back as to how many times you have heard golf industry colleagues talk about the so-called problems we face: sexism and ageism are perhaps the most popular topics for such conversations, but there are many other subjects that rear their ugly heads on a frequent basis. Well, I must remind everyone that the more we debate the problems that exist in all sections of the golf media – both trade and public-facing - the more likely it is that the general public out there, both golfers and nongolfers, will believe that we have deeper problems than we actually do, as the industry is constantly debating these issues and for some, they think that nothing is being done to solve these issues. But we all know that many things have been done, many problems have been solved, many good people in all types of roles at golf clubs and courses all over the UK are doing great work, and, in my humble opinion, it is about time that we started celebrating the great things that have happened and will continue to happen in the future. I know that many journalists enjoy highlighting a sensational, even controversial 16 +44 (0)1580 715248 issue, with the principal objective of generating headlines and starting a global tweeting trend, but the more we do this ourselves, within the industry, the more the very customers that we are hoping to attract into our sport will believe the stories and take up cycling or some other sport. If you are of ‘a certain age’ you will remember the great film ‘Kelly’s Heroes’ and Donald Sutherland’s superb portrayal of ‘Oddball’, a character who just did not like any ‘negative waves’. I agree – so let’s start to talk more positively about our industry please. What are the positives we should be talking about, I hear you say? Here are a few to start with: 110,000 adults participated in some type of golf activity with the County Golf Partnerships throughout England for the first time in the last year 1 If we managed to maintain that level of out-reach for the next few years, and perhaps even improved upon this, we will be making a positive impact on participation numbers. One-third of golf facilities in the UK are commercially-owned (proprietary) and I doubt whether any of these are male-only, with dresscodes dating back to 1952. Add to these perhaps 60%-70% of the member-owned clubs that have changed, or are changing, and the vast majority of golf clubs in the UK are welcoming to both sexes and are becoming more relaxed places to spend time with friends. The golf industry is worth over 3.4billion pounds to the economy of England, and when you add Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to that, this is a good news story for the UK economy 2 The Golf Foundation is doing some great work exposing golf to youngsters at schools and within communities – Tri-Golf and GolfXtreme are just two schemes that are really making a very good grn-ogro • golf management • grn-ogro impact with tens of thousands of young people. Golf clubs up and down the land are reporting a busy summer, with many people playing golf in the fine weather. Club managers are telling me that they are experiencing increases in membership (especially those that are offering a flexible membership scheme) and in some cases (although not enough) increases in play by women and girls. I was reading the Golf Participation report recently, which stated that there are now only 3.5 million ‘regular’ golfers in the UK, a reduction of half a million over the past 10 years. But I think the actual number of players is much higher than this number. I cannot prove this, and I will accept that those who undertake this research do so very professionally and thoroughly, but I think that the 500,000 people that have supposedly ‘left’ the game have perhaps just ‘taken a break’ from the game, as their lifestyle or economic circumstances have determined that they have other priorities for their time and finances. I know that learning to play golf is not quite as easy as learning to ride a bike – but when you have started playing the game, perhaps as a youngster, you do not forget how to swing a club. Granted, you would be rusty and would need some lessons and practice before being proficient again, but I doubt whether many of these half a million golfers have actually left our game for good. I am sure we will see many of these back playing in a few years’ time, when circumstances change and they have time/money available for play – and this is where golf as a sport comes into its own. What other sports can you play from cradle to grave? We are see senior golfers in their 70’s, Above: 80’s and even in their 90’s playing the game at our clubs, and isn’t that a wonderful fact that should be celebrated and encouraged? I would like to read more stories of golf clubs where several generations of the same family play together – grandfathers playing golf with daughters and grand-daughters perhaps – what a wonderful strength the game of golf can provide for families and communities. So please do not dwell on the problems that face us all – spend time finding solutions and making a difference to people’s lives. That is worth celebrating – and no more negative waves please! Source: England Golf Annual Report 2013 – period: April 2013 to March 2014) Source: England Golf Partnership / Sports Marketing Surveys, July 2014 Jerry Kilby Golf Management Consultant Jerry Kilby can be contacted on [email protected] http://kandagolf.com www.grn-ogro.com 17 grn-ogro • golf management • grn-ogro GOLF INDUSTRY TAXATION – A POSSIBLE SOLUTION? Following on from our feature on current tax cases in the golf industry from Vivien Saunders last month, Jerry Kilby offers his thoughts on a possible solution. I read with great interest the feature article in last month’s GRN magazine about the inequality in the tax system for golf facilities throughout the UK. I hope that the twin strategies of Vivien Saunders banging loudly on the Chancellor’s front door, and at the same time the UKGCOA and England Golf working diligently and quietly away behind the scenes makes the Government see sense – and the sooner the better. However, it may be that a stumbling block could be the issue concerning the Government’s legal obligation to pay back the Golf Courses 4 Sale The Number 1 website for all the courses and ranges for sale To advertise here and on the website contact Colin Jenkins on 01580 7248 sum of around £400 million to member-owned golf clubs under the Bridport ruling – and their reluctance (quite rightly in my opinion) to do so when those same clubs cannot pay the tax back to the people who paid the tax in the first place. I may have a solution for this, which I am pleased to be able to share with GRNOGRO readers. In my opinion, the Government should pay this £400 million (or whatever is the final amount) into a new ‘Golf Development Trust Fund’, which would be controlled by a group of Trustees from all sectors of the UK golf industry. The Trust should be set up so that the Trustees can only spend the interest – not the capital – which should generate between £20 and £30 million pounds a year to spend. I am sure a set of rules can be set by the Government which will guide the Trustees in how the money should be invested – and in my view, this money should go towards developing and growing participation in the game by ALL sectors of our communities, ALL age groups, BOTH sexes both able-bodied and those with disabilities through England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This may be just a dream, and may never happen, but it might give the Chancellor and his mandarins some food for thought….. Jerry Kilby Golf Management Consultant Jerry Kilby can be contacted on [email protected] 18 +44 (0)1580 715248 grn-ogro • the magazine for the golf industry • grn-ogro SIMPLIFIED PAYMENTS AND CONVERTING ENQUIRIES INTO SALES AT HOEBRIDGE GOLF CLUB Club software has been part and parcel of Mike O’Connell’s working life for more than 20 years, and he knows exactly how IT systems can work for Hoebridge Golf Club, Surrey, where he is senior general manager. One of ten golf sites under the BGL brand, Hoebridge offers customers the full kit and caboodle of facilities: an 18-hole parkland course, an 18-hole par three course, a nine-hole course, 36-bay floodlit driving range, golf store, café bar and grill, function suite, health and fitness studio and Pirate Island adventure golf, which Mike says is proving to be a highly successful addition since it opened in December 2012, by “unlocking the next generation of golfers, some as young as four.” “The software eases financial controls and audits, tracking revenue and cost of sale, allowing us to assess if we are working to the business’ targets,” he explained. “We can use the system to track trends and the success of events that we hold, for example. Members can book tee times online that’s very popular – and we are able to bundle services such as golf and food, so we can sell green fees and a meal at the same time. “Customers pay up front, which makes the process much more efficient when they come here. They can pay once - by phone or online - so O’Connell had first worked with software specialist it’s convenient for them: a really streamlined ESP’s Elite system at American Golf’s Cams Hall service and it’s also good for cashflow when we Estate Golf Centre in Hampshire, managing not can secure payments in advance like this. just its food and beverage department, but also Customers feedback has been very positive- they others within the group, so the transition coming like the ease of the booking process.’’ to Hoebridge was in many ways seamless. As a customer relationship management (CRM) “The Elite software was already in place here so I tool, the software comes in useful too,“ he added. knew the benefits using it could bring to the golf centre,’’ he said. “Hoebridge and the BGL brand “When we receive an enquiry, it’s put on to the is heavily focused on delivering consistent high system and we can follow the journey through to levels of service to our customers; our desire is to confirmed golf bookings, allowing us to maximise unlock golf for everyone in the local area, for the conversation from enquiries into sales. This everyone aged four to 84, our youngest and oldest way, they do not slip through the net – a massive customers. benefit for us and part of the company ethos. “We are proud of our ability to offer services “Software capability is not the only game in to the likes of the Battle Back programme (run by town however, critical though it is,” O’Connell said. Headley Court rehabilitation centre for forces’ “I cannot overstate the importance of the support personnel injured in war) and the Disabled Golfers line, available every day round the clock. Running Association. The Elite software helps us manage a leisure facility is not a nine-to-five job. I need to their experience.’’ know that IT support is available, whenever I have 20 +44 (0)1580 715248 grn-ogro • the magazine for the golf industry • grn-ogro an issue. That’s a big selling point for me.’’ Above: Mike O’Connell at the till at Hoebridge, where ESP’s Elite software has helped streamline the customer experience. And Mike did have an IT issue one Saturday morning recently. “One of the tills had frozen. In IT, problems do arise, it’s how they are resolved that matters. I phoned ESP’s helpline at 8am, spoke to somebody and everything was back to normal by 8.10 am. We certainly receive good service from them, and I have done for 20 years.’’ currently available from desktop can be applied to a smartphone - that’s the way things are going. “It’s about moving to the next level and making the journey easier for the customer. Little and often we are enhancing the offering.’’ Nothing stands still in IT though. “We continue to design the future roadmap,’’ said Mike. “The future is based on mobile optimisation. Anything Contact ESP on: 020 825 5100 [email protected] www.e-s-p.com www.grn-ogro.com 21 grn-ogro • the course owner • grn-ogro The Course Owner MARC THE COURSE HAYTON OWNER In this section GRN-OGRO ask specific questions of course owner and operators as to how they run their businesses and how they see the industry going. This month we are talk to Marc Hayton, the owner of two outstanding Surrey golf venues: Foxhills and Farleigh. Marc is also a Board Member of the UKGCOA. GRN-OGRO: Can you tells us about the development at Farleigh? Marc Hayton: We have to date invested almost £3m transforming the courses, the clubhouse and the team; perhaps most importantly, leaving the character of the club exactly as it was. This is the ideal outcome. From the moment I arrived at the club, the warmth of the members was the one thing that I didn't want to alter and together we have created the UK's most improved club. Each of the three nine-hole courses have been upgraded, under the watchful eye of John Jacobs Golf Architects, the brains behind Wentworth's Edinburgh course and the original architect of Farleigh. It was a real pleasure to invite the team back to finish the job they started. We inherited a beautiful 350 acre estate, a legendary architect and USGA greens. In a short time we have enhanced the courses beyond recognition, placed the largest order of new 22 +44 (0)1580 715248 greenkeeping equipment in 2011 and put the fleet in the hands of a terrific team of greenkeepers headed by Michael and Robin, our Course Manager and Deputy who cut their teeth on the fairways of Wentworth and West Hill; Celtic Manor and Pinehurst respectively. The quality of the greenkeepers and the course was tested during the extreme weather in Jan and Feb 2014 and Farleigh prevailed. It did not close. Not one day. No surprise that over the same period 23 golfers decided to join the club. The 1500 sqm clubhouse has been given a fantastic facelift and I believe is the best looking facility for miles. This is now home to our new restaurant, Nineteen at Farleigh; with locally sourced produce, stunning design and panoramic views – I challenge you to stay away. Away from builders and bills there have been many highlights. One was a conversation with a wonderful Foxhills grn-ogro • the course owner • grn-ogro member who oversees the talented junior golfers, John Gilding. John proudly told me how Foxhills came second in a big Surrey tournament; he paused before revealing that the trophy was picked up by Farleigh. In autumn 2014, Farleigh launches a golf scholarship programme to emulate the Foxhills Foundation where Ryder Cup player Paul Casey cut his teeth. Farleigh responded to the floods of 2014 by planting 13 acres of new woodland. These oaks and ash will further project this historic estate and absorb 60 times as much water as grassland. We did it in Farleigh style, with the school children of Hamsey Green competing with local dignitaries for who could plant the most trees. A commemorative oak was planted by our MP, Sam Gyimah, outside the clubhouse for all to see. Another wonderful day at Farleigh. GRN-OGRO: How did you get into owning a golf course? Marc Hayton: My role at Foxhills came through Above: The Manor. my father who bought the club from Aer Lingus in 1983. I joined him 11 years later. Farleigh I bought in 2010 because it is big, bold and beautiful; it has development potential and an enviable location overlooking the City. I also wanted to experience what my father felt when he arrived at Foxhills thirty years ago. GRN-OGRO: What are your favourite types of customer? Ideally we’d all like one client who paid us £15m a year. Failing that, we look for clients who are fans. Fans come back, tell friends and buy other things. GRN-OGRO: What are your least favourite types of customer? Marc Hayton: We don’t have a least favourite customer. If things go wrong, either the service was poor or not what the guest expected. Just as www.grn-ogro.com 23 grn-ogro • the course owner • grn-ogro the operation is our responsibility, so is the guest’s Above: The lake at Farleigh. expectation. golf machinery and buggies? How to avoid these problems? Describe your product clearly and honestly; deliver it. Marc Hayton: Both. GRN-OGRO: What is your favourite course GRN-OGRO: Do your run your catering business other than your own? in-house, or contracted out? Marc Hayton: I am not a golfer but like hiking Marc Hayton: In house. As we say, one in 15 particularly in Scotland, so perhaps a golf course people play golf but everyone eats. Our F&B in the Highlands, near Loch Long. revenues exceed £5m. GRN-OGRO: How would you stimulate more GRN-OGRO: What’s more important - customer interest in golf across the country? care or course conditioning? Marc Hayton: I recently asked a similar question Marc Hayton:How can you show you care about to Colin Hegarty the CEO of a respected golf your guest if the course is poorly prepared? It is research company now based in the US. Colin said, “The future of golf clubs was nine holes and the experience that matters and that is a function of the product and the service. This presents mixed use.” Agreed. several opportunities: if your course is average, make sure your service is exceptional and vice GRN-OGRO:Do you buy outright on lease your 24 +44 (0)1580 715248 OGRO Preferred Supplier grn-ogro • tthe course owner • grn-ogro versa. If your course and service are average make sure you are the cheapest. And only one club is each region can claim that title. Saying, “We’re average and almost the cheapest” is not a place you want to be in any market. keen to develop. GRN-OGRO: How important are green fee shops. GRN-OGRO: What type of golf retail operation do you have? Marc Hayton: Like the catering, we run our own players and membership to the business and how do you make them work together? GRN-OGRO: How important are junior golfers to your business? Marc Hayton: Membership income is worth twice green fees at both Foxhills and Farleigh. That doesn’t mean to say green fees are not important. We see each visitor as being one step away from membership. How do we manage? Having three loops of nine at Farleigh and two championship courses at Foxhills mean we can accommodate members, groups and green fees equally well. GRN-OGRO: What membership schemes do you operate? Marc Hayton: Farleigh has a simple menu of 7&5 day, colts and juniors; Foxhills also has Country Club and Spa. Eight years ago Foxhills introduced the Associate membership, a limited round product; an innovation at the time. GRN-OGRO: Is female participation increasing faster than male participation and if so how are you achieving this? Marc Hayton: 25% of golfers at Foxhills are women. In the last decade, three captains of the whole club have been women. We have a tennis club and health club which attracts more women than men. It is no surprise that more women take up golf at Foxhills. In fact, the results of the women’s team outstrip those of the men. Marc Hayton: It is a cliché to say ‘children are tomorrow’s members’, they are also today’s. To develop talent my father and the late Ryder Cup legend and Foxhills pro, Bernard Hunt started the Foxhills Foundation. The blueprint for many of the scholarship programmes offered today. It’s well known that Paul Casey was a graduate, but less well-documented is that 25% of scholars were making a living in golf. Farleigh will launch its Foundation to find the Paul Casey of east Surrey and south London. GRN-OGRO:How do big events impact on the image of the complex? Marc Hayton:: Foxhills recently hosted a PGA Seniors event (among the field was none other than the editor of this journal). The whole club was lifted; especially the members and greenkeepers who were heroic. Despite Foxhills’ reputation we have been slow to recognise the importance of tournaments. It is a mistake I made. It was an honour to stage the PGA Seniors Bernard Hunt Trophy and we are looking forward to next year’s event and the European Tour Seniors Qualifier that we have also been awarded. GRN-OGRO: What is the best thing about owning the course? GRN-OGRO: To what extent does your PGA teaching team generate membership sales? Marc Hayton: Limited to date. But the opportunities are huge and it is something our new Golf Operations Manager, Chris Reeve, is 26 +44 (0)1580 715248 Marc Hayton: At both clubs, we exist to make people feel fantastic. That’s a great reason to get up in the morning. grn-ogro • UKGCOA• grn-ogro NOTES FROM THE UKGCOA CHIEF EXECUTIVE The following is a list of “projects” being worked on currently on behalf of members. I will outline progress on just a few on this report, so if you want to know more please email me ([email protected]) and I will provide further details: CASC Government’s flood support scheme VAT project Residential property on UK Golf courses Sport England working with golf’s proprietary sector Planning of Regional meetings alongside England Golf’s Regional Development teams UKGCOA branded buying group and additional recommended suppliers GolfBIC 2015 - planning and venue selection Memorial Walls!! Biomass boilers VAT project – We issued an email last week to members, sponsors, partner associations, etc., requesting donations for a tax equality fighting fund. Thank you to those that have already donated, but for any that require a reminder, I have copied the email in full below: “As you know the UK’s golf sector has been struggling for many years with a VAT distortion issue, where members of proprietary golf clubs pay standard rate VAT on their membership fee and members of private members clubs (deemed to be not for profit under EU VAT laws and further refined within the UK’s Sports Order of 1999) are exempt from VAT. Also, recently private members golf clubs won a landmark case at the European Court of Justice, to allow visitor fees (green fees and society fees) to be VAT exempt, while proprietary golf clubs continue to have to charge 20% VAT on such 28 +44 (0)1580 715248 fees. This is the Bridport case. As proprietary golf clubs make up a little under 50% of golf facilities in the UK and are, arguably, more focused on driving increased participation in golf than the private members sector, there is a serious risk to the growth of the game of golf until a degree of tax equality is achieved. This situation not only impacts the proprietary golf course owners, but also all related businesses that rely on increased numbers of golfers. England Golf has recognised this risk within its recently published strategic plan entitled “Raising Our Game”. As a result, the UK Golf Course Owners Association has been working on a project with professional advisors (KPMG) to persuade HMRC and The Treasury to apply a reduced rate of VAT to golf’s proprietary sector and we expect to have sight of the first draft of the economic impact report within the next two weeks which is planned to be presented to HMRC/The Treasury. We have been advised that the outcome of such a meeting may result in further studies being requested by HMRC, i.e. further cost. In addition, we have been in discussion with one of the UK’s top VAT QC’s who has offered a grn-ogro • UKGCOA • grn-ogro first stage legal action to add weight to the reduced rate project, should HMRC/The Treasury attempt to stonewall or delay a decision until after the election next May. The initial cost of this action will be relatively low at around £5,500, but will increase if we need to move beyond the initial action, such as towards a Judicial Review. AGCO (chaired by Vivien Saunders) has, for many years, been fighting a campaign for fair tax in sport and the recent request made for financial support for a Counsel’s Opinion on AGCO’s recent action with the European Commission against the UK Government’s interpretation of a non profit making body has merit, so the UKGCOA is considering providing funds to assist with this. Therefore, to ensure we have the funds in place to seek appropriate professional advice, plus provide funds for actions that will benefit the tax equality fight for the proprietary sector, we have decided to ask our partners, sponsors and members to contribute whatever they can to the UKGCOA tax equality fund. The UKGCOA will manage the fund with full accountability, i.e. we will maintain records of each contributor, issue monthly statements to contributors of income and expenditure, etc. There is little doubt that tax distortion in golf is a major barrier to the growth of the game of golf in the UK as a majority of proprietary golf clubs (the primary gateways to new golfers) are unable to invest in their facilities and are struggling to survive against nearby VAT exempt private members golf clubs competing for members and, now, green fees and company golf days. Having said this, the UKGCOA is clear on who the fight is with, i.e. HMRC and The Treasury and not our private member golf club colleagues. Please dig deep and make your donation to “The UKGCOA Tax equality fund”, either by cheque sent to the UKGCOA, Federation House, Stoneleigh Park, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV8 2RF or by BACS a/c no. 01110640, sort code 605001, putting the name of your company or golf club as a reference. Please email your full contact details to [email protected] so that we can keep you informed of progress and details of income and expenditure. If you have already donated to the AGCO fund for the abovementioned Counsels opinion and feel unable to donate any further but would like to be kept informed of progress on the actions being undertaken by the UKGCOA, please let us know and we will include you in the circulation list. If you would like to ask any questions before deciding on your donation, please contact me by email and I will get back to you.” CASC – While at a meeting of the tax working committee of the Sports and Recreation Alliance on the 25th July, the SRA’s tax advisor, Richard Baldwin, informed me that the Government has held back on implementing the new CASC eligibility rules and, because of yet another alteration to the proposed rules, consultation is still ongoing. This puts CASC registration in a bit of flux, as clubs considering applying don’t know whether to apply under the old rules or new ones. The UKGCOA will maintain a watching brief on CASC and represent the interests of our members whenever the opportunity arises. Regional Meetings You should by now have received a note of the meetings planned for September and October, but if not, I have listed below the dates and venues. Please register your interest in attending with [email protected] asap. • Monday 8th September, Rockliffe Hall Golf - Club, County Durham • Tuesday 9th September, Eccleston Park, Merseyside • Monday 22nd September 2014, Gainsborough Golf Club, Lincolnshire • Tuesday 23rd September, Gaudet Luce Golf Club, Worcestershire • Monday 29th September, The Warren Golf Club, Essex • Tuesday 30th September, Woodlands Manor Golf Club, Kent • Monday 6th October, Padbrook Park Golf Club, Devon • Tuesday 7th October, Frilford Heath Golf Club, Oxfordshire www.grn-ogro.com 29 grn-ogro • UKGCOA • grn-ogro The draft agenda is as follows: the wall to be built until 50% of the boxes are pre-sold by Memorials Walls, and a significant 2:30pm Registration financial return on each box goes to the golf 3pm Introduction and welcome facility. If all 500 boxes are sold in a typical-size 3:10pm What can England Golf do for you? – memorial wall, the club will receive revenue EG Regional development officer amounting to a minimum of £200,000. The more 3:40pm How to use your PGA Professional to boxes are contained within the memorial wall the benefit your business– PGA presenter greater the financial benefit to the club. 4:10pm A reference report from a UKGCOA Memorial Walls is in discussion with a large sponsor number of sporting venues, particularly in the 4:30pm The latest news from the UKGCOA – ALS football and cricket worlds, but requested the 5pm Refreshments and informal networking support of the UKGCOA before approaching the golfing sector and, after several meetings, we feel Depart at your leisure that golf course owners should consider meeting with the company to assess the opportunity for themselves. Memorial Walls Memorial Wall’s principal golf representative is The UK Golf Course Owners Association regularly Tim Lamb, formerly Chief Executive of the England reviews commercial opportunities for golf facility proprietors so that additional appropriate revenue & Wales Cricket Board and of the Sport & Recreation Alliance, and a well respected figure streams and/or cost savings can be within the world of sport. communicated to UKGCOA members. One such Please contact the UKGCOA office on 02476 opportunity has been under discussion for a few months with a company called Memorial Walls , a 414999 ext 206 and leave your details with division of the County Group property developers. Debbie Goddard if you are interested in having a meeting with Tim or another representative The concept, while initially appearing unusual to of Memorial Walls to investigate the opportunity. say the least, is a more proactive and controlled Biomass boilers. way of dealing with an activity that happens at I am regularly approached by renewable most golf clubs, i.e. providing a permanent energy suppliers who want to gain sponsored memorial to deceased club members and others who may have requested to be commemorated at access to the UKGCOA membership, but their stories and offers have all been the same, i.e. their favourite sporting venue as opposed to the what is in it for them. About a month ago I met rose garden of the local crematorium. Many of us have trees and/or plaques around our with a Director of a family run business which has already made inroads into some golf clubs and I golf courses, so the idea of having a was impressed with his clear concern that the commemorative wall, which has a tasteful and incentives currently available for small businesses relevant golf-themed or club-specific ‘mural’ made up of a tiers of individual memorial boxes in in the renewable energy sector are to be reduced an appropriate place on the golf course, seems a and then closed off, so asked for our help in communicating this news to any golf clubs that novel and attractive alternative to the variety of may be dithering over a decision to upgrade their plaques, inscribed bricks, etc, that some clubs heating systems to a renewable form of energy. I allow. The boxes are assembled to make up a modular honeycomb structure and can be used to asked him to write a piece for our newsletter, so this is below. If you are interested in meeting with house a deceased person’s ashes, personal the company please email me at memorabilia or other sentimental items or [email protected] and I will arrange for them to imagery. make contact: The additional major benefit to clubs is financial as there is no capital outlay, no commitment for 30 +44 (0)1580 715248 grn-ogro • UKGCOA • grn-ogro The Government has committed, under the Climate Change Act of 2008 to ensure that 15% of our energy is produced through renewable means by 2020. In order to ensure these targets are met they are using a combination of carrot and stick. The stick includes the CCL (Climate Change Levy) on businesses that use fossil fuels for heating as well as energy reduction targets, compulsory energy audits etc. The carrot on the other hand is a financial incentive (the Renewable heat Incentive; RHI), paid to the first businesses that are forward thinking and switch to heat produced by biomass. This incentive has been in place for some months but as the uptake grows the amount paid will start to decrease (other than for those who have commissioned their boilers; their payments are now fixed, index linked and paid quarterly for 20 years!! For those who have switched, the incentive is currently so high, it is equivalent to having their heating bill paid by the Government for 20 years. With increased uncertainty over fossil fuel prices as demand continues to outstrip supply and political instability in the east the consensus is that fossil fuel prices look set to double by 2020. Taken together, the uncertainty over future energy prices and the opportunity to be one of the few taking a bite of the carrot means that if you are thinking of looking at biomass there is still time, but only just. The reduction in rates (degression) means that the worst case scenario is a 15% reduction in the rate paid out by the Government to those that wait to switch until the end of 2014. The first drop of 5% was applied on July 1st 2014. Beyond that the carrot may go, leaving only the stick. So what should you look for when choosing a supplier for your club? Firstly, make sure you buy the boiler, the servicing and the pellets from the same company. This will ensure that the supplier is looking for a long term relationship, not just a quick boiler sale, and if any problem arises there is only one point of contact for resolution. Ensure the supplier will secure the RHI on your behalf; the application is onerous and full of 32 +44 (0)1580 715248 pitfalls. Everything from the angle of installed meters to the length of pipework between meter and any bend must comply to secure approval. If possible, avoid the free boiler option. This may look attractive, but in reality the supplier is keeping the RHI in return for giving you a free boiler and the value of the RHI is likely to be 10 times the price of the boiler. Ensure that your existing boiler is left in situ; if the biomass boiler is installed alongside your existing boiler and plumbed in to your system you will retain your old boiler as a back up. Choose a supplier that charges you by the kWh, not by the tonne of pellet. This allows you to clearly see your consumption, not pay for heat that goes up the chimney, and you should be able to negotiate an agreed rate for at least five years, future proofing your heating costs. Always obtain at least three quotes to ensure you secure the best deal, but make sure you are comparing apples with apples. Is servicing included in the fixed price per kWh-it should be! Are there any hidden costs? Does your supplier attend site every few weeks to clear the ash and refill the hopper for you? And so on. Finally, make sure your supplier has testimonials or case studies available for you to talk to. It is vital that you check their existing customer satisfaction levels before signing up. If you follow these simple recommendations and don’t put off the decision until the carrot disappears it may be possible to take your heating bills down to zero as for most businesses that have switched the RHI payment coming in is greater than the biomass heating bill going out. I have probably missed something from my report and, no doubt, will attract alternative opinions. The UKGCOA exists to represent its members, so if the majority of members disagree with any of the above in terms of the UKGCOA direction, views, opinions, etc, we will alter them to ensure we represent our members correctly. However, this does mean you need to let us know. Please email me at [email protected] or call me (07958 534068) with your own opinions and comments. Andy Lloyd-Skinner, Chief Executive, UKGCOA grn-ogro • the magazine for the golf industry • grn-ogro OGRO Preferred Supplier www.grn-ogro.com 33 grn-ogro • golf retail news • grn-ogro Monthly Dashboard and Commentary Total Sales of Men’s Shirts Total Sales of Weatherwear Balls moving - annual sales (‘000 doz) Jan 2011 - June 2014 34 +44 (0)1580 715248 grn-ogro • golf retail news • grn-ogro A Disappointing Month The weather for the same period last year was relatively settled, giving some sunny conditions with rainfall less than the 1981-2010 average. In contrast, this year saw generally unsettled conditions with showers and some long spells of rain for the majority of the country - the exception being the Midlands, which was relatively dry. Conditions overall that certainly did not help sales in the golf industry. Eight out of the ten product groups that Golf Datatech reports on saw value sales down year on year. These ranged from -3.5% for gloves to 17.2% for putters. The exceptions were men’s shirts up by +2.6% and shoes, so often a star performer, up by +8.5%. As seen in previous months, volume sales were generally further down in percentage terms than value sales. The combination of lower volumes compared to values brings about higher average selling prices. These over the last twelve months were up for all ten groups ranging from +1.0% for shoes and woods to +8.6% for weatherware. Year to date figures are a little more encouraging with half of the product groups showing positive growth. These ranged from +0.3% for balls to +6.0% for men’s shirts. Those down on last year ranged from -0.8% for gloves to -11.2% for woods. Golf Datatech is a world leader in golf industry research. It provides the trade with specialised market research covering retail sales, inventory, pricing, distribution, along with consumer attitude and usage studies, strategic sales and marketing consultancy. In the UK, Golf Datatech research is based on an average of 2,000,000 records per month, recorded by EPOS systems at the point of sale. For more information and or a deeper analysis see www.golfdatatecheurope.com WHAT THE COLLECTION CAN OFFER WHAT THE COLLECTION CAN OFFER ● Helps you fight back against the discount retailers ● Flexible ordering ● Full range including mens, ladies and juniors, in both right and left hand ● Open stock Full set of custom clubs for under £200* *3 & 4 Hybrids, 5 – SW Irons ● Highly profitable with low costs ● Stock rotation ● High profile brand at low prices ● Exclusivity ● Additional 5% discount on first order* *Subject to £500 minimum order value. EMBLED IN THE UK ASS TOM FIT - FOR YOU CUS 01452 611 888 BLE ORDERING FLEXI WWW.PGACOLLECTION.CO.UK [email protected] www.grn-ogro.com 35 grn-ogro • golf retail news • grn-ogro RETAIL THE GOLFNEWS DATATECH RETAIL DASHBOARD Total Sales of Balls Total Sales of Woods Total Sales of Wedges Total Sales of Shoes 36 +44 (0)1580 715248 grn-ogro • golf retail news • grn-ogro - WHAT’S MOVING IN THE RETAIL WORLD Total Sales of Irons Total Sales of Putters Total Sales of Gloves Total Sales of Bags www.grn-ogro.com 37 grn-ogro • golf retail news • grn-ogro GOLF RETAILERS BENEFIT FROM CROSSOVER TECHNOLOGIES EDUCATION Crossover Technologies, has helped PGA professionals enhance their businesses through a number of educational webinars. This is the first time the company has staged this kind of event, which is designed to be short, but effective, allowing busy PGA Professionals to take minimal time out of their businesses to gain important education and motivation. Led by Managing Director Phil Barnard, who encouraged questions and participation from his audience, the webinar was titled Search & Destroy: Why Now is the Perfect Time to Identify your Slow Moving Stock and Create Some Cash, and focussed on how retailers can use their Crossover systems and XPos software to identify dead stock, along with the best ways to clear it. During the webinar attendees were shown a number of example screenshots from Crossover’s EPOS systems, highlighting the reports they should pay particular attention to and how they can utilise the information generated to clear dead stock, make sales and continue to run successful businesses. Crossover received excellent feedback from those who took part, including David Delaney, PGA Professional at Halifax Bradley Hall Golf Club. He said: “The webinar was excellent and showed me a number of ways that I could use my EPOS system to not only save me money, but make me money too. “It was extremely well put together, very clear and concise. I took pages of notes and will be implementing many of the procedures Phil outlined.” Phil Barnard added: “Having received great 38 +44 (0)1580 715248 feedback from all those who took part in the webinars we plan to make this a regular occurrence, as well as increasing the maximum amount of attendees to 100 per webinar. “There are a number of subjects we have been asked to cover, including How to get my staff using the system better, How to improve my product data, Planning for next season and Reporting for the Golf Show and stock rooms.“We will now start planning for more webinars which, rest assured, will cover a number of these requested topics.” Crossover Technologies already has the next webinar scheduled, with two being held on consecutive Wednesdays, September 17 and 24, starting at 3pm and 11am respectively.The title of the webinar will be Pre-Show Primer: Get Ready for your Best Buying Show Yet. The session will focus on how retailers can utilise their Crossover XPos systems to create the perfect buying plan ahead of The Golf Show at the Harrogate International Centre from October 7-9. “If retailers are unable to take part in our next webinars, we will be exhibiting at The Golf Show and look forward to speaking to many of our existing customers and welcoming new ones,” said Phil. For further information visit www.crossovertec.co.uk, email: [email protected] or call 01454 418395. grn-ogro • golf retail news • grn-ogro GAME GOLF APPOINTS SECOND CHANCE LTD Technology company selects new master distributor for EMEA Leading technology innovator GAME GOLF, the first wearable device that automatically tracks a golfer’s round of golf and graphically displays the round along with valuable statistics, has announced a partnership with Second Chance Ltd, which will see the sporting goods supplier become the US-based company’s master distribution partner to the golf trade in the EMEA region. GAME GOLF is a wearable device and integrated software platform which tracks and captures real performance data and displays rounds of golf in a dynamic and socially driven interface. The device is endorsed by 2010 U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell, PGA Tour star Lee Westwood and 2003 U.S. Open champion Jim Furyk, who have all worked closely with GAME GOLF to develop the product. Before hitting each shot, the golfer simply taps the end of the club, where a tag has been inserted into the grip, against a small datacollecting sensor attached either at the belt or at the hip on a skirt. GAME GOLF then records every shot made through a combination of GPS technology, motion sensors and near-field communication technology. The R&A and USGA have both deemed GAME GOLF permissible under the Rules of Golf in landmark announcements that means the device can now be used in competition on both sides of the Atlantic. GAME GOLF is also a PGA Official Supplier, providing both GAME GOLF and Second Chance with the opportunity to work in close partnership with the PGA to educate the wider golfing community on how GAME GOLF and the data it provides can improve their game. Second Chance Ltd is a distributor and licensee of some of the world’s most famous golf equipment and accessories, sporting goods, fashion and lifestyle brands, with a specialist knowledge of the EMEA territory and over two decades of experience strategically positioning brands and products in the market place. John McGuire, CEO of GAME GOLF, commented: “We’re delighted to announce this distribution partnership with Second Chance Ltd. Introducing GAME GOLF to a wider audience in this territory is key part to our growth strategy, and Second Chance’s experience and expertise will be a great asset to us. We’re excited for the future as we continue to expand and grow together.” Patrick Daniels, Managing Director at Second Chance Ltd, said: “We’re delighted to be able include GAME GOLF as part of our growing portfolio of premium brands. GAME GOLF is a true innovator in its field and it’s a very exciting moment to sign a deal as its master distributor for EMEA. We plan on implementing a dynamic sales strategy, targeting PGA teaching pros, green grass and golf specialists to help us drive the brand and product forward.” Second Chance is GAME GOLF’s master distribution partner for EMEA. All trade enquiries should be directed toward Secondchance.co.uk/game-golf. For more information on GAME GOLF and to view instructional videos featuring Graeme McDowell and Lee Westwood, visit www.gamegolf.com. www.grn-ogro.com 39 grn-ogro • golf retail news • grn-ogro OSCAR JACOBSON LAUNCH NEW GOLF COLLECTION New spring/summer 2015 collection blends bold colours and style with high-tech fabrics After the success of its 2014 range, longestablished Swedish apparel brand, Oscar Jacobson (OJ), has moved things on apace with its recently launched Spring/Summer 2015 golf collection. The Oscar Jacobson golf collection has been developed alongside its men’s fashion range, with the shared design philosophies proudly boasting three key elements: Anglo-Saxon textile heritage; Italian tailoring; and Scandinavian simplicity. Beyond that, with customers ever more aware of, and concerned about, their environmental responsibilities, OJ is proud to be the leading light in the golf market when it comes to Eco-friendly fabrics and production processes. With 111 years of history and craftsmanship, there are few brands that can rival the heritage in tailoring and rich history in golf that OJ enjoys. “We are particularly excited about the new SS15 collection as this will be the first of many 40 +44 (0)1580 715248 collections where we will introduce products and influences from our very successful OJ Man and Satorial Leisure, off course, collections into golf” said Gunnar Hedendahl, Global Sales & Marketing Director. OJ’s spin-yarn dye uses 90% less water in the dyeing process, meaning all its garments are fully recyclable, while further technological developments mean all fabrics are now guaranteed to be fluorocarbon-free too - great news for your customers; great news for the planet. Many garments throughout the new range continue to feature OJ’s renowned Weather Protection System (WPS) too. OJ is presenting its SS15 collection in three colour palettes - Modern, Classic and Fresh - so there’s something to appeal to all ages, tastes grn-ogro • golf retail news • grn-ogro with white sleeves and dark flat-knit collars. The top-of-the range Mickey Tour waterproofs retain all their incredible performance-enhancing technology, such as four-way stretch fabrics and articulated sleeve construction for a better fit, but are now available in a wider selection of striking colours. They are joined in the weatherwear lineup by the new lightweight Miller wind- and shower-proof full-zip jacket in four colour options. “The boundaries between on- and off-course apparel are becoming ever more blurred and many of our items in our collection are as likely to be seen on the catwalk as they are on the course. and preferences. Popular pique-knit polos like the Anton, with its button-down collar and chest pocket, and the Gustaf, with its flat-knit collar, remain in the collection, but in a significantly wider range of colours than last year. They are joined by newcomers like the Barry polo, which features contrasting panels on the shoulders, and the Brody polo, which mixes bold body colours With our expertise in fashion and tailoring, we are perfectly positioned to help our customers, across the globe, embrace this change and with it the future of Oscar Jacobson has never looked brighter” added Hedendahl. To find out more about the Oscar Jacobson spring/summer collection for 2015, please email [email protected] or call +44 (0)207 402 0797 to arrange a viewing. www.grn-ogro.com 41 grn-ogro • the magazine for the golf industry • grn-ogro LEGENDS DAVIES, HASTINGS AND HENMAN GOLF FOUNDATION NEWS INSPIRE THE YOUNGSTERS AND SUPPORT THE GOLF FOUNDATION Golf Foundation News Legends of tennis and rugby, Tim Henman, Gavin Hastings and Jonathan Davies, helped to convert a new set of youngsters to golf at The Open Championship as guests of golf charity the Golf Foundation. The sporting heroes played a series of golf challenges against boys and girls to help raise the profile of the charity’s HSBC Golf Roots programme. HSBC Golf Roots reaches hundreds of thousands of youngsters in schools each year, 42 +44 (0)1580 715248 creates stronger links between schools and golf clubs; all the while promoting the life skills that golf can offer young people. Davies, Hastings and Henman are HSBC Ambassadors and are all highly respected by sports lovers for the way they combine a fiery competitive spirit with the best sporting values. The trio visited the ‘R&A Swingzone’, where the Golf Foundation was based during the whole of Open week courtesy of The R&A. grn-ogro • the magazine for the golf industry • grn-ogro Left: Tim Henman, Gavin Hastings and Johnathon Daves play Tri-Golf with youngsters in the R&A Swingzone at the Open. The HSBC Ambassadors first played ‘Tri-Golf’ with the children in a specially designed skills challenge. Tri-Golf is a fun, colourful, high-energy golf game which enables youngsters to learn the basics of the game in an easy format. Then it was on to ‘StreetGolf’, the funky golf format in which older children invent their own games to suit their local environment, in this case firing skill shots at wheelie-bins, a tin can alley and opened golf umbrellas, all amid a colourful backdrop. The youngsters and families present clearly enjoyed watching these stars help to promote the game to a new generation. Brendon Pyle, National Development Manager for the Golf Foundation, said: “What a great performance by HSBC Ambassadors Jonathan, Gavin and Tim. They were all brilliant with the boys and girls and their highly competitive but sporting attitude was a lesson to all present in how to play sport in the right spirit. A great thanks to this trio and HSBC for helping to raise the profile of our HSBC Golf Roots work.” HSBC played a major role for visitors of all ages during Open week. More than 50,000 people visited the HSBC Golf Zone, an interactive spectator experience that gives fans the chance to try different golf skills. The R&A Swingzone is a facility provided by The R&A each year to grow the game. During the week, the zone welcomed several thousand young people to enjoy a golf experience. Many youngsters also took advantage of the free lessons given by PGA professionals throughout the week. The pro’s were present thanks to the Professional Golfers’ Association, who sponsor the professionals to teach the young golfers as part of the organisation’s commitment to junior golf. HSBC Golf Roots is supported by The R&A, The European Tour, the Professional Golfers’ Association, the Ryder Cup Committee and Trust, England Golf, the British Golf Industry Association’s ‘Grow Golf’ Fund, Sport England and headline sponsor HSBC. CHEQUE IT OUT: TRI-GOLF CHALLENGE CELEBRATES £7,500 HANDOVER FROM TEEOFFTIMES.CO.UK TO GOLF FOUNDATION Teeofftimes.co.uk’s fundraising project to support the Golf Foundation topped the £7,500 mark during Open Championship week, and the only way to celebrate was a Tri-Golf challenge between General Manager Richard Barker and visiting boys and girls. The leading tee time booking provider is using its strong golf club customer links to back the Golf Foundation’s HSBC Golf Roots programme, that is reaching hundreds of thousands of youngsters each year in schools and communities and then linking children to golf clubs to prepare them for regular play. Selected group and independent golf clubs are being asked by the Golf Foundation to donate funds raised from the sale of up to four golf course green fees, collected by the Teeofftimes.co.uk team. To celebrate the £7,500 so far achieved, the Golf Foundation team persuaded both Richard Barker and Steve Hemsworth, Managing Director of parent company Golfbreaks.com, to take part in a Tri-Golf challenge against a group of ultra-keen youngsters during The Open Championship. Richard and Steve hit some excellent Tri-Golf shots at the colourful targets but were probably just second best to the very youngsters who the company is supporting through this unique fundraising programme. This continues throughout www.grn-ogro.com 43 grn-ogro • the magazine for the golf industry • grn-ogro the summer with more donated tee times expecting to arrive at a final figure over the £10,000 mark. Richard Barker, General Manager of Teeofftimes.co.uk, said: “What better way to celebrate the project so far than with a great game of Tri-Golf with the youngsters. It was really interesting to meet the Foundation’s full team and the children in the R&A Swingzone and learn about where funds will be spent. We saw how the youngsters can enjoy scoring success with Tri-Golf right from their first hits and we were no match for them!” Richard added: “For Teeofftimes.co.uk, a company that is working with key partners in providing playing opportunities for all golfers, we wanted to put something back into the game by supporting the Golf Foundation in this way.” Mike Round, Chief Executive of the Golf Foundation, said: “Richard and Steve’s appearance was very much enjoyed by youngsters and our team alike. They were great sports and this is no surprise given their great enthusiasm for our aims as a charity to help grow the game.” Golf clubs who would like to find out more about how they can become involved at a local level with the Golf Foundation can contact one of seven Regional Development Officers through the ‘Contact Us’ button at www.golf-foundation.org Golf clubs wishing to find out more about the services of Teeofftimes.co.uk can contact General Manager Richard Barker on 07793 775207, or email [email protected]. DON’T FORGET TO BOOK YOUR PLACE FOR THE 28TH GOLF FOUNDATION PRO-AM There is still time to book your places on the tee for the 28th Golf Foundation Pro-Am, which will be held on Monday, 6th October, at London Golf Club. Tee times are selling well for this always eagerly anticipated event. The Golf Foundation Pro-Am is supported by The European Tour and is a popular day among golf-lovers from the golf industry and world of business who wish to help make a genuine difference for young people through sport. This year, one of the country’s most popular golfing venues – London Golf Club, in Ash, Kent (near Brands Hatch) – stages the event for the third time. Players will tee off on the Heritage course, a classic Jack Nicklaus layout which forces you to consider every shot. The Heritage has been host to The European Open and is maintained to the very best standards. 44 +44 (0)1580 715248 Teams of three amateurs will be supported by a Tour professional for a Stableford better-ball competition which features a range of prizes and on-course challenges. The atmosphere on the day is always very friendly as amateurs are joined by European Tour, European Senior Tour and Ladies European Tour players. Attractions include a champagne breakfast before a shot-gun start, an excellent dinner and a charity auction and raffle, with all money raised on the day going to the HSBC Golf Roots programme, the Golf Foundation’s national strategy to make the game more accessible to children from all backgrounds and abilities (more than £180,000 has been raised through the ProAm in the last nine years). ăy}u yuw|µƓzuy}{ u}µMv{zuy}{²w² ²ăy}u ²w² grn-ogro • the magazine for the golf industry • grn-ogro Golf Courses 4 Sale The Number 1 website for all the courses and ranges for sale To advertise here and on the website contact Colin Jenkins on 01580 7248 Sarah Tennyson, Marketing Manager of the Golf Foundation, said: “There are still team places available but golfers should think now to book their places. “There is no doubt that the Foundation’s Pro-Am is a true highlight of the season for many business people. Being held at a great venue with the support of The European Tour makes this a unique opportunity to mix some great golf with prized networking opportunities. “The European Tour is one of our strongest supporters as a charity that can make a great difference for children and young people through HSBC Golf Roots. This Pro-Am is a great way for companies to ‘put something back’ into the grass roots of the game and help the next generation of young players.” The big day is on 6th October. Bookings are for £1,200 per team. Shotgun start at 10.30am. To find out more about booking a team, call 01992 449830 or see www.golf-foundation.org 46 +44 (0)1580 715248 grn-ogro • the magazine for the golf industry • grn-ogro 3,600 YOUNGSTERS PUTT LIKE CHAMPIONS IN UNIQUE GOLF FOUNDATION AND TITLEIST CHALLENGE Over the coming weeks, eight young people who “putted like Open Champions” at Royal Liverpool Golf Club will be receiving top-of-the-range Titleist Scotty Cameron putters, thanks to a unique challenge organised by the Golf Foundation and the Titleist team. The ‘R&A Swingzone’ at the venue welcomed young people for the whole of Open week, courtesy of The R&A, and the Golf Foundation Putting Challenge sponsored by Titleist proved to be one of the star attractions. The Golf Foundation is a charity that makes the game and its benefits more accessible to young people from all backgrounds. Its team welcomed around 3,600 youngsters to try the challenge, some as young as four years-old, testing their putting skill under pressure. The challenge involved taking three 20-ft putts. Putts holed won Titleist golf balls and Titleist caps as a reward for perfect putting, while each successful child could enter a daily draw to win an excellent Titleist Scotty Cameron putter. Hundreds of Titleist golf balls and caps were won during the week. putted like Open Champions, their enthusiasm was infectious and thanks to Titleist there will have been many families leaving the R&A Swingzone having been inspired about golf. “We would like to offer a big thank you to Titleist for providing these great Scotty Cameron putters, Titleist golf balls and caps to create great prizes for the week.” Matthew Johnson, Titleist Brand Director, said: “The Golf Foundation does some fantastic work in engaging children in golf, and we’re delighted to be able to support its initiatives. The Open is a fantastic platform to inspire kids and their families, encouraging them to either start playing golf or to play more golf. Our association with the Golf Foundation is a great example of our continued support of golf at all levels of the game, from grass roots through to the best players in the world.” Elsewhere in the R&A Swingzone, the Golf Foundation team held sessions in ‘Tri-Golf’ (for youngsters) and ‘StreetGolf’ (for teenagers), whilst also offering advice to families about how to pursue further golf opportunities in their local area. Away from The Open, Titleist, the #1 ball in golf, supports the Golf Foundation by providing golf balls that are used in other Foundation events and promotional activities involving schools and communities. The Foundation’s HSBC Golf Roots initiative reaches hundreds of thousands of youngsters a year from the classroom to the lesson tee at golf clubs. For visitors, the putting challenge could also be taken as part of a wider set of golf challenges created by HSBC in the HSBC Golf Zone. More than 50,000 people visited this area, an interactive spectator experience which gives fans the chance to try different golf skills. Sarah Tennyson, Marketing Manager of the Golf Foundation, said: “This challenge was hugely popular, it was great to see so many youngsters who could really putt brilliantly, including young children having their first try at golf. Many of them HSBC Ambassadors and sporting legends Tim Henman, Jonathan Davies and Gavin Hastings were intrigued by the Golf Foundation Putting Challenge and battled against each other in front of an appreciative audience. www.grn-ogro.com 47 golf courses 4 sale • golf courses 4 sale For Sale Sherdons Golf Centre, Gloucestershire A rare opportunity to acquire a freehold floodlit golf range, 9 hole golf course and clubhouse with living accommodation. Q Q Q Q Q Q Q 26 bay floodlit golf driving range 9 hole 2,654 yard (par 34) golf course Practice facilities 430 sq m (4,625 sq ft) clubhouse with owner’s apartment Established, profitable business in the same family ownership since opening in 1992 Freehold (28.5 hectares / 70 acres) Situated between Tewkesbury & Cheltenham Offers invited in the region of £750,000 Ben Allen /6714 020 7911 2360 [email protected] Taatssfield, Kent / M25 (5gn5")&5*,)*,#.,35!)& 5&/51#."5&/")/-5(5$)#(#(!55 &(5-#./.5#(-#5."5hk5)(5."5(.5I5/,,35),, R55 gn5")&5l6nik53,5B*,5mhC5!)& 5)/,-5#(5'./,5-..#(! R5 ,.#5 #&#.#R5 ..,.#05.1)5-.),35g6fkj5-+5'5Bgg6ijk5-+5 .C5&/")/-55 1#."5h5,))'5*,.'(. R5 gm5"5Bjh5,-C5) 5$)#(#(!5&(5I51))&( R5 ,")&575mi5"5Bgnf5,-C5#(5.).& R5 -.&#-"5 '#&35/-#(--51#."5-)*5 ),5)'',#&#-.#)( R5 (.,&5)()(5B#.3C585hf5'#&Off ffers ers invited in the region of £1.8 millio on5 48 +44 (0)1580 715248 Contta C t ct (5&&(55fhf5mogg5hilf (8&&(H!08)8/% '-5#&&#'-)(5fhf5mogg5hgfo5 $'-81#&&#'-)(H!08)8/% /7738 golf courses 4 sale • golf courses 4 sale Stockwood Vale Golf Club Bristol BS31 2ER '034"-& "XFMMQSFTFOUFEQSPQSJFUBSZHPMGDMVCTJUVBUFE POUIFPVUTLJSUTPG#SJTUPM t t t t t t t t t "UUSBDUJWFIPMFZBSEQBS HPMGDPVSTF *OGPSNBMIPMFBDBEFNZDPVSTF CBZøPPEMJUHPMGESJWJOHSBOHF 5XPTUPSFZDMVCIPVTFXJUICFESPPNBQBSUNFOU SFTJEFOUQPQVMBUJPOXJUIJONJOVUFTESJWF 5ZQJDBMUVSOPWFSbBOEUZQJDBM&#*5%"b NFNCFST IFDUBSFTBDSFT 1SJODJQBMMZGSFFIPMEQBSUPGHPMGDPVSTFMFBTFE Offers invited in the region of £1.425 million Waterfront Golf Club 8BUIVQPO%FBSOF3PUIFSIBN /7830 Contact #FO"MMFO CFOBMMFO!HWBDPVL #FO#SPXO CFOCSPXO!HWBDPVL '034"-& "NPEFSOCBZøPPEMJUHPMGESJWJOHSBOHFXJUIDMVCIPVTFBOEIPMFHPMGDPVSTF t 4JNPO(JENBOEFTJHOFEIPMFZBSEQBS HPMGDPVSTF t CBZøPPEMJUHPMGSBOHF t &YUFOTJWFQSBDUJDFGBDJMJUJFT t (SFFOLFFQJOHDPNQMFY t "UUSBDUJWFDMVCIPVTFXJUI'#BOESFUBJMBSFB t &TUBCMJTIFECVTJOFTTXJUIQPUFOUJBMGPSDPNNFSDJBMJTBUJPO GPMMPXJOHTVDDFTTGVMPQFOJOHJO t SFTJEFOUQPQVMBUJPOXJUIJONJOVUFESJWFUJNF t ZFBS'3*MFBTFBUQFQQFSDPSOSFOU 0òFSTJOWJUFEJOUIFSFHJPOPGb Contact 3JDIBSE#BMEXJO SJDIBSECBMEXJO!HWBDPVL /7829 www.golfcourses4sale.co.uk 49 golf courses 4 sale • golf courses 4 sale Course Location Guide Leasehold for Sale 18 hole Golf Course and Wedding Venue Essex 20 miles from London Golf Course with Development Potential Cricket St Thomas Somerset Yeovil: 14 miles, Taunton: 17 miles Offers Invited Golf Range Wanted N/A N/A Stockwood Vale Golf Club Bristol OIRO £1.425 Million Confidential Golf Course Near Ipswich Suffolk OIRO £1 Million 50 +44 (0)1580 715248 £395,000 the whole Would also consider selling in lots. Please enquire. golf courses 4 sale • golf courses 4 sale Details Contact Status Tom Marriott HMH 07900 672045 [email protected] For Sale 18 hole 5,719 yard, par 70 golf course. Clubhouse with 2 bedroom staff flat. 668 sq m (7,190 sq ft) footprint Practice facilities Planning permission for development EPC=E About 93 acres Savills Oxford Kay Griffiths [email protected] 01865 269000 Under Offer UK Golf Range Company looking for next Golf Range Flexible Purchase to suit vendor if required. If you are interested in selling or having a 5 minute confidential chat about possibilities call 07765 901 643 or email [email protected] Wanted 18 hole 6,060 yard PAR 71 golf course; a 14 bay floodlit driving range; a substantial and attractive two storey clubhouse; a purpose built green keeping complex; other practice facilities and space for a short academy course. Ben Allen GVA 020 7911 2360 [email protected] For Sale 18-hole 6,046 yard, par 71. 11,378 sq ft (1,057 sq m) purpose-built clubhouse with extensive function rooms and separate 848 sq ft (79 sq m) golf professional’s shop and modern greenkeeper’s building Abi Goodwin Savills Oxford 01865 269095 [email protected] For Sale 18 hole golf course and well known wedding venue for sale. Lot 1 18 hold golf course designed by Howard Swan. Machinery barn with consent to convert first floor into the clubhouse Lot 2 Existing clubhouse extending to 9,000 sq ft and currently used as a restaurant and function venue For sale long leasehold 102 years remaining. www.golfcourses4sale.co.uk 51 golf courses 4 sale • golf courses 4 sale Course Location Guide Waterfront Golf Club Wath upon Dearne Rotherham 250 year Leasehold £475,000 Parkwood Golf Club Inside the M25 on the Kent/Surrey border £1.8 Million Penfold Park Golf Course Watford 50K Abbey Moor Golf Club Addlestone Surrey Inside the M25 50 year lease with 27 years remaining £399,000 St Margaret's Golf & Country Club Co. Dublin € 1.95 Million 52 +44 (0)1580 715248 golf courses 4 sale • golf courses 4 sale Details Contact Status 9 hole 3,389 yard (par 36) golf course. 32 bay floodlit golf range with extensive practice facilities Greenkeeping complex. Attractive clubhouse with F&B and retail area. Established business with potential for commercialisation. Richard Baldwin GVA 0113 280 8039 [email protected] For Sale 18 hole 6,835 yard (par 72) golf Ben Allen course in mature setting. GVA 020 7911 2360 Practice facilities, Attractive two [email protected] storey clubhouse with 2 or bedroom apartment. 17 ha (42 James Williamson acres) of adjoining land / 020 7911 2109 woodland. Freehold - 73 ha (180 [email protected] acres) in total. 16 acres, Pro shop, Cafe Six year lease - With six month break clause - but negotiable with landlord. All maintenance equipment included. Turnkey operation- ready to go. For Sale Murray White 07973425999 For Sale An attractive, well maintained 9 hole pay and play parkland course. Pat or Paul Newton on 01932 564169 For Sale 178 acres (72 hectares), the 18 hole golf course extends to 6,907 yards par 73. floodlit driving range, two putting greens, a practice bunker, 14,122 sq ft (1,312 sq m) three-storey clubhouse and greenkeeper’s buildings. Savills Oxford Ian Simpson [email protected] +44(0)1865 269000 Savills Dublin Denis O’Donoghue [email protected] +353 (0)1 618 1471 For Sale www.golfcourses4sale.co.uk 53 golfcourses courses44sale sale•• golf golfcourses courses44sale sale golf Course Location Guide Weston Turville Golf Club Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire Offers invited in the region of £1.325 million Sherdons Golf Centre Situated between Tewkesbury & Cheltenham Gloucestershire Offers invited in the region of £750,000 Freehold (28.5 hectares / 70 acres) Sancti Petri Hills Cadiz Spain Formal Offers Invited Garon Park Golf Complex Southend–On-Sea, Essex, SS2 4FA £1m Confidential Disposal South East England On application 54 +44 (0)1580 715248 golf courses 4 sale • golf courses 4 sale Details Contact Status Freehold 18 hole golf course 6,008 yard (par 69) golf course. 880 sq m (9,560 sq ft) clubhouse including two former squash courts. Spacious 3 bedroom bungalow set in its own grounds. Ben Allen GVA 020 7911 2360 [email protected] For Sale 26 bay floodlit golf driving range. 9 hole 2,654 yard (par 34) golf course. Practice facilities. 430 sq m (4,625 sq ft) clubhouse with owner’s apartment. Ben Allen GVA 020 7911 2360 [email protected] For Sale Designed by Spanish Ryder Cup star Manuel Pinero Jesús Labrado Fernández 39.8 hectares measuring a [email protected] total of 4,767 metres (par 68). Phone: + 34 91 013 34 10 The clubhouse includes a café and restaurant. For Sale 27 holes of golf in three loops of nine, 9 hole academy (par 3) course, substantial modern clubhouse 30 bay fully floodlit driving range, putting green adjacent to the clubhouse Application submitted for an ‘Adventure Golf’ complex Tom Marriott HMH Golf & Leisure [email protected] 079006 72045 For Sale 36 holes Extensive golf & clubhouse facilities Valuable planning consents Turnover - £2m + Profitable Tom Marriott HMH Golf & Leisure [email protected] 079006 72045 For Sale www.golfcourses4sale.co.uk 55 golf courses 4 sale • golf courses 4 sale Golf Driving Range Businesses Wanted UK Golf Range Company looking for next Golf Range Flexible Purchase to suit vendor if required. If you are interested in selling or having a 5 minute confidential chat about possibilities _ Please call 07765 901 643 Or email [email protected] Abbey Moor Golf Club Lease for sale An attractive, well maintained, 9 hole pay and play parkland course over 43 acres. The site has potential for development of an Adventure Golf complex subject to planning consent. The clubhouse is not included in the sale. 56 +44 (0)1580 715248 50 year lease with 27 years remaining £399,000 Contact Pat or Paul Newton on 01932 564169 golf courses 4 sale • golf courses 4 sale savills.co.uk/leisure Golf Course with Development Potential Cricket St Thomas, Somerset Yeovil: 14 miles, Taunton: 17 miles ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 18 hole 5,719 yard, par 70 golf course Clubhouse with 2 bedroom staff flat 668 sq m (7,190 sq ft) footprint Practice facilities Planning permission for development EPC=E About 93 acres Offers Invited er nd U er ff O Savills Oxford Kay Griffiths [email protected] 01865 269000 www.golfcourses4sale.co.uk 57 golf courses 4 sale golfgolf courses 4 sale grn-ogro • the magazine for• the industry • grn-ogro PGA TRIO REVEALED AS SLGA COACHING TEAM PGA NEWS PGA News The Scottish Ladies Golf Association (SLGA) has announced the introduction of a new structure to support the coaching and development requirements of female golfers in Scotland. With effect from October 1st, a team of three PGA coaches - David Patrick, pictured below, Rick Valentine and Ian Muir - will be deployed to work with SLGA women's and girls' squads to compliment the activities being undertaken as part of the wider Scottish Golf Pathway. The primary objective is to better prepare players to progress from competing at club and local level on to national age events and increase the number of girls able to progress to the Academy programme and on to national squads and teams. The new team of Patrick, Valentine and Muir have many years of experience in the industry and the SLGA is confident that they will collaborate in an effective manner to deliver the national coaching programme for female golf squads in Scotland. A meeting is planned with the coaches and key SLGA performance staff for early September to set out the ongoing support programme for identified female golfers. The successful candidates and a brief description of the role follows:David Patrick (SLGA lead coach) with key focus to directly deliver the girls’ performance programme, including all training and preparation for key competitions. To support the women’s competition coach and development coach to ensure that all delivery is progressive, aligned and integrated. This position will also be responsible for supporting the progression of all girl players. 58 +44 (0)1580 715248 within the academy structure. Rick Valentine (SLGA women's competition coach - above) with key focus to deliver the preparation and competition programme for identified SLGA women's performance players, including maintaining contact with key US-based players. To support identified players to prepare for and compete at World and European Team Championships and home internationals. Grandson of the late Jessie Valentine. one of Britain's best ever female golfers and director of golf at Loretto School, Musselburgh. Ian Muir (SLGA development coach) with key focus to deliver a regional coaching and competition preparation programme for girls who are within county and development centre programmes. Kevin Craggs, SLGA national coach for the past eight years, resigned recently to take his own coaching career in a different direction. grn • the magazine for the golf industry • grn PGA TEAMS UP WITH GAME GOLF The PGA has signed a new agreement with leading technology innovator GAME GOLF which is aimed at revolutionising the way golfers learn and play the game. Under the arrangement, GAME GOLF will become a PGA Official Supplier as they look to launch the product to PGA Professionals and amateur and club golfers in the UK and Ireland. GAME GOLF, which will be distributed by Second Chance the official licensee, is a wearable device and integrated software platform which tracks and captures real performance data and displays rounds of golf in a dynamic and socially driven interface. Born in Ireland, the US-based technology company already enjoys a partnership with the PGA of America, which has identified GAME GOLF as having the potential to serve as the next generation of teaching application for PGA Professionals. Users simply wear a small wearable datacollecting sensor clipped on the belt — or at the hip on a skirt. Before hitting each shot on the course, the golfer taps the sensor with the end of the club where a sensor has been inserted into the grip. Using GPS technology, motion sensors and nearfield communication technology, a connection is made between the device and the sensors, allowing it to record each shot and the club used. At the conclusion of the round, the golfer connects the wearable sensor to the computer to transfer the data. That data is combined with the map of the course and the golfer’s GPS position for each shot to track shot location and distance. The golfer’s actual performance data can be viewed on an iPhone, iPad and any computer; meaning golfers can share their round with their coach, colleagues and friends. Robert Maxfield, joint chief operating officer of The PGA, said: “The resulting information, which shows each shot and distance with each club, tracked over multiple rounds, is valuable to golfers and PGA teaching pros alike. “The PGA and its members in their daily coaching utilise many of the latest technologies to help golfers continue to improve and we’re delighted to have such an exciting and innovative Below: John McGuire, CEO of GAME GOLF pictured with PGA chief executive Sandy Jones. www.grn-ogro.com 59 grn-ogro • the magazine for the golf industry • grn-ogro company as GAME GOLF join the PGA Official Supplier programme.” In addition to enabling golfers to view their game, GAME GOLF features a social media hub where players can share their round, compare it to others, and virtually compete with friends or colleagues across the country and around the world. John McGuire, CEO of GAME GOLF pictured with PGA chief executive Sandy Jones, commented: “We’re delighted to announce this landmark partnership with The PGA. GAME GOLF will revolutionise the game by changing the way we socialise about golf and reveal how we are actually playing the game. Much like the introduction of plastic cleats changed the culture of the game, we are doing the same by making golf more social and bringing a golfer’s data to life.” Among the PGA Tour professionals working with GAME GOLF to develop the product are 2010 U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell, Lee Westwood 60 +44 (0)1580 715248 and, most recently, 2003 U.S. Open champion Jim Furyk. McDowell has been testing and providing feedback on the product for the last two years. Graeme McDowell said: “The GAME GOLF platform is right at the cutting edge of data capture. It amazes me just how great the feedback is from it. I can share my rounds of golf all over the world via Twitter and Facebook and there’s nothing quite like that in golf today.” Lee Westwood added: “It’s a great way to capture the game you’ve just played. You can see through the data where you can improve your game and, with golf being a game of such fine margins, just improving slightly in certain areas can mean saving one or two shots a round.” GAME GOLF is available now at www.gamegolf.com. Visit the website for more information and to view a video featuring Graeme McDowell and Lee Westwood. grn-ogro • the magazine for the golf industry • grn-ogro www.grn-ogro.com 61 machinery4golf • machinery4golf ONE-MONTH COUNTDOWN TO THE 2014 RYDER CUP BEGINS WITH FIRST CLUB CAR FLEET DELIVERY TO GLENEAGLES The first Club Car vehicles for use in The 2014 Ryder Cup are on site at Gleneagles Hotel, Scotland, to assist pre-event operations. With two months to go until one of the world’s largest sporting events tees off, the official supplier to The 2014 Ryder Cup has delivered the first 40 vehicles, of more than 300 that will be supplied in total, which will be used during the event. As part of its dedication to The Ryder Cup, Club Car’s northern England business partner, MTS Golf & Utility, recently opened a new Scotland-based facility in Cumbernauld – just 30 miles from Gleneagles Hotel – from where the bulk of the vehicles will be delivered. The presence of Marc Dufour, Club Car CEO, at the new facility’s official opening underlined the significance of this new venture. He was joined by MTS Group’s Managing Director, Peter Watson, who said: “After analysing the market in 2013, we 62 +44 (0)1580 715248 realised the golf car needs of Scottish golf clubs weren’t being met. “This knowledge, combined with The Ryder Cup contract, proved the catalyst for opening our Cumbernauld facility and are looking forward to being the hub of the event’s fleet and logistical needs.” Club Car, the world’s largest manufacturer of small-wheel, zero-emissions electric vehicles, is also an Official Supplier to The European Tour and has been named main provider to The 2015 Solheim Cup which will be held at St. Leon-Rot Golf Club, Germany. For more information about Club Car, visit www.clubcar.tv. machinery4golf • machinery4golf WINSTON UNIVERSITY NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR NEW SEMESTER Walter Woods Scholarship available to support potential students WINSTONuniversity, the golf management institute based at the WINSTONgolf 45-hole facility at Gneven Ot Vorbeck in Mecklenburg, northern Germany is now accepting applications for the new semester, which commences in October. The application deadline is 30th September 2014. With a curriculum encompassing turf and resource management together with the economics and strategic marketing of a golf facility, the WINSTONuniversity executive management programme runs for 6 months. To provide young career minded individuals with the best possible chance of reaching their potential and drive the game of golf forward, WINSTONuniversity has announced the introduction of the Walter Woods Scholarship. Named after the legendary Scot, who for 21 years worked as superintendent at the St. Andrews Links Trust and presided over four British Open Championships, the scholarship covers all academic fees. Ransomes Jacobsen, the Ipswich-based manufacturer of commercial mowers and turf maintenance equipment, is an exclusive supplier to WINSTONuniversity and provides a range of equipment to aid the teaching of greenkeeping and fine turf modules at the international sportsturf education centre of excellence. Earlier this year the first graduates from the WINSTONuniversity executive management program celebrated the end of their six month of studies at St Andrews in Scotland before moving onto placements and promotions around the world, including roles as Internees, Course Managers, Club Managers and Vice General Managers in locations as diverse as Beijing, Iceland and New York, at some of the most prestigious golf clubs including Baltusrol, Loch Lomond, The Dukes and Kingsbarns. Frank Ahern, one of the first graduates to complete the WINSTONuniversity course said, “We not only learnt about turf and resource management, but also gained a solid background in the economics and strategic marketing of golf courses. I can only advise anyone who sees their future in golf course management to apply for the next cohort at WINSTONuniversity.” Application forms with detailed information on the curriculum can be downloaded on the website www.winston-university.com. For any further information please contact WINSTONuniversity at [email protected]. Below: The 2013 WINSTONuniversity graduates celebrate on the Swilcan Bridge in St Andrews www.grn-ogro.com 63 machinery4golf • machinery4golf THE UK AND EUROPE'S NUMBER 1 USED MACHINERY WEBSITE Visit Machinery4Golf.net for more information on these and over 2000 other machinery listings as well as all the latest news from the major manufacturers and suppliers. Hayter LT324 Triple Mower £8,750 + VAT 2009, ~2887 hours, 35hp Kubota Engine, Diesel, 4wd, Hydrostatic, Power Assisted Steering, 10" Heads, Beacon, Road Registered Location: Wyboston, Beds Phone:01480 2133 2 Hayter Condor Hydro Mower £787.50 + VAT Fitted with 30" 5 bladed cylinder and giving you a lovely close fine cut / finish. powered by a honda 10.7hp petrol engine. Collection only Location: Accrington. Lancs Phone: 07968 805877 Cushman Turf Truck £2,900 Cushman diesel 4 wheel turf truck, hydraulic tipping body, aux hydraulics, manual gearbox, good clutch, Perkins engine ( roof, good tyres.NO VAT Location:Barrow on Trent, Derby Phone: 01283 704664 CASE 60 Trencher £3,995 + VAT Heavy duty machine with 13hp Honda petrol engine, hydrostatic transmission, 60 degree boom angle, high capacity hydraulic pump, 14” spoil auger. Location: Wyboston Phone: 01480 21 33 22 Jacobsen lF800 Fairway Ride on Mower £5,500 + VAT 5 gang fairway mower,4 wheel drive,5x8 blade units fitted with rear roller scrapers,transmission hydrostatic drive,serial number. Toro GM4700D £15,500 + VAT Rotary mower. Year 2008 Cutting heads fully reconditioned. Location: Carlisle, Cumbria Phone: 01228 517100 Location: Chorley, Cheshire Phone: 07834 552111 64 +44 (0)1580 715248 machinery4golf • machinery4golf Increase your footfall and profits with N1GOLF – Guaranteed! ✔ FREE telephone consultation. OGRO Preferred Supplier ✔ UK Exposure with over 1.4 million golfing visits. LARGEST GOLF ACADEMY GROUP IN THE UK www.n1golf.com ✔ Benefit from N1GOLF experience and group investment. ✔ Staff continually trained and supported on a monthly basis. ✔ Proven brand and track record. ✔ It’s a win/win situation – you make more and so do your pros. N1 Consultancy offering advice on: Green keeping, Academy, Retail, Catering and Management. We are looking for more leasing/managing/purchasing of golf facilities – all areas considered, with funds in place. Contact Declan Malone - [email protected] or 01344 620 348 / 07944 071 995, www.grn-ogro.com 65 grn-ogro • the magazine for the golf industry • grn-ogro ASTON WOOD GOLF CLUB Major Refurbishments for Midlands Golf Complex Set in over 300 acres of beautiful English countryside in Sutton Coldfield, the course has a strong membership and healthy income from visiting golfers and societies. Colin Crawshaw bought the course a couple of years ago and has wasted no time in reinvesting heavily in the site. He immediately aquired a fleet of new mowers from John Deere and then made plans to set about reinvigorating the rest of the facilities. At the heart of the new improvements are the new golf range and gym. The gym incorporates a golf conditioning room, so keen players can work on their strength and suppleness, to ensure they get the most from their game. The course, which was originally designed by Clive Clarke and Peter Alliss is in beautiful condition. Peter Alliss commented: “The landscape at Aston Wood, with its gently 66 +44 (0)1580 715248 rolling meadowland and copses of mature deciduous trees gave us the scope to design a superb and varied course with the many lakes and ponds and the meandering brook providing beautiful water features. Aston Wood has certainly established itself as one of the finest golf clubs in the area. It is a course which Clive and I have enjoyed designing and are proud to be associated with.” GRN-OGRO caught up with Colin: “I bought Aston Wood Golf Club, because of the great potential I saw in the course and the club. Since the purchase in October 2012, we have added a full fitness suit, extended and refurbished our full catering conferencing and function suites and added a state of the art driving range and the Aston Wood Teaching grn-ogro • the magazine for the golf industry • grn-ogro Academy. “Along with everything we are doing at Aston Wood the range had to have the best facilities and products available to cater from the scratch golfers to the total beginner of all ages. To that end having looked at all option we decided on the BOP Europe - TrueStrike to fit out the range completely.” We chose the TrueStrike mats, due to their unique performance and offer of choice of surface were the perfect fit for our clients. We looked at all options on ball collection and outfield grass management and we decided on the unique solution that Automated Managed Services Ltd offered by way of their state of the art, unique robotic automated technology which not only operates 24 hours a day keeping our overheads down but also looking after www.grn-ogro.com 67 grn-ogro • the magazine for the golf industry • grn-ogro the range surface eliminating the need for us to drive heavy equipment across the outfield on a daily basis which is the primary caused of deteriorating and muddy outfields thus keeping the range looking first class all year round.” Philip Sear the MD of both BOP Europe Ltd and AMS Ltd has been alongside us from the very early planning stages right the way through to opening, his experience with ranges and his advice has been invaluable to us. I would highly recommend their products, service and exemplary installation team.” The venue is a very popular destination for weddings and major social functions. Couples are keen to take advantage of the glorious scenery as a backdrop for their nuptuals, as well as the superb catering in the Fotherley Suite, which is attached to the main clubhouse, but can be accessed and operated separately. With its own entrance, bar and restroom facilities, complete privacy is ensured. Tim Regan who is Director of Golf at Aston 68 +44 (0)1580 715248 Above: The docking unit. Below: The ball recovery unit. Opposite: Colin Crawshaw (left) and Tim Reagan. Wood added: “The range has been built to the highest standard possible which is by far the best in the area with top class Srixon range balls and bay heaters. It is the ultimate practice experience. 2 state of the art coaching studios fitted with flight scope and v1 camera system means we can coach 7 days a week 52 weeks of the year. This truly is an exceptional facility.” grn-ogro • the magazine for the golf industry • grn-ogro The club has clearly got a great future and, with lots of happy members and visitors is an ideal venue for golf and leisure. For more details, please visit: www.astonwoodgolfclub.co.uk www.grn-ogro.com 69 grn-ogro • the magazine for the golf industry • grn-ogro SPANISH OPEN LEGACY TO BOOST GOLF TOURISM TO COSTA BRAVA The Costa Brava region in north-eastern Catalonia believes the 2014 Open de España legacy is already taking shape. According to a recent report by the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism, there was a 2.4% increase in foreign visitors to Catalonia in June compared with the same month in 2013, which set a new tourism record for the first half of the year, with 7.1 million foreign tourists to the region. The European Tour event, which was held near Girona at World Top 100 venue, PGA Catalunya Resort, and won by Spanish golfing icon, Miguel Ángel Jiménez, attracted over 39,000 visitors during tournament week, and injected an estimated 1.8 million Euros into the area. With a potential combined household reach of almost half a billion viewers from around the world, according to The European Tour’s tournament valuation report, this year’s Open de España has also achieved a cumulative global media value of over $16 million – more than double what was secured for the 2013 event. Ramón Ramos, Director of Costa Brava Girona Tourist Board, said he was pleased The 2014 Open de España had been such a major triumph, offering outstanding golf and achieving thousands of hours of global media coverage for Spain’s best golf course. “An important goal for us has been to ensure that the four-day event was not a one-off success story, but a platform to provide support to local tourism businesses, elevate PGA Catalunya Resort’s status as a great golfing venue and boost the area’s reputation as an important European golf destination,” he said. For over a decade, Golf Costa Brava Pirineu de Girona’s Golf Marketing Club, which consists of golf clubs and resorts, hotels, restaurants and numerous tourist attractions, as well as the tourism board itself, have all been working together to promote the region as a must-visit, European hot-spot. “Since Costa Brava was voted the IAGTO Emerging Golf Destination of the Year in 2000, we have aimed our strategic plans and marketing campaigns at increasing awareness of the fantastic courses and facilities available in our region,” he added. “The interest has since been 70 +44 (0)1580 715248 grn-ogro • the magazine for the golf industry • grn-ogro phenomenal, and hosting The 2014 Open de España has been the icing on the cake. “Costa Brava is a perfect destination for golfers of all levels – right on Barcelona’s doorstep – with great courses, experiences, and value that cannot be met by any other golf destination. Plus there is a wealth of historical, cultural, sporting and leisure attractions for family members not so eager to spend all their time on the greens.” Located an hour north of Barcelona and easily accessible thanks to Girona-Costa Brava Airport – an important Ryanair hub – the region is home to many exceptional courses. In addition to European Tour Destination, PGA Golf Catalunya Resort, visitors can also play two European Top 100 venues, Empordà Golf and Golf Platja de Pals, as well as Club Golf D’Aro-Mas Nou, Golf Girona, and Club de Golf Costa Brava, the region’s oldest golf course. For those looking for a quick round, the Gualta par-3 course is ideal, while more leisurely rounds can be enjoyed at Torremirona Golf Club Left: Jimenez lifting The 2014 Open de España trophy. Above: PGA Catalunya Resort, host of The 2014 Open de Espana. and Club de Golf Peralada Golf Club, in the north of the region. Costa Brava also provides visitors with a wide variety of accommodation, from luxurious hotels to farmhouses. Food connoisseurs are also spoilt for choice, enjoying authentic Catalan cuisine from Spain’s highest concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants, including the three Michelin-star El Celler de Can Roca in Girona – ranked second in Restaurant Magazine’s World Top 50 – and Els Tinars in Santa Cristina d’Aro. Additional information on Costa Brava can be found at www.costabrava.org and www.costabrava.org/what-to-do/golf. www.grn-ogro.com 71 grn-ogro • the magazine for the golf industry • grn-ogro News • Marathon Mayes’ pedal-power pushes Help for Heroes donations past £4,000 Colin Mayes, chief executive of Burhill Group Limited (BGL), has helped raise more than £4,000 for Help for Heroes by taking part in the Big Battlefield Bike Ride. The 59-year-old serial endurance athlete participates regularly in grueling athletic feats for charity, with previous exploits including the Three Peaks Challenge, Great Glen Kayak Challenge and a 150-mile coast-to-coast cycle ride along Hadrian’s Wall, helping to amass in excess of £50,000 for charity in the process. The Big Battlefield Bike Ride is the original Help for Heroes fundraiser and saw 1,300 cyclists covering 335 miles in the seven-day ride from Brussels, Belgium, London, UK, via Paris, France, marking the centenary of World War I. Comenting on his experience, Mayes said: “Riding alongside wounded heroes, it was very 72 +44 (0)1580 715248 Above: Colin Mayes gets on his bike for Help for Heroes. poignant to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice back then and those who still do today. “This was certainly one of the best charity events that I have completed, so much so that I have already signed up for next year’s event.” An additional £1,200 was raised at a charity golf day supporting Help for Heroes, staged at BGL’s Surrey headquarters, Burhill Golf Club. To make a donation, please visit: www.bmycharity.com/HFH2014 For more information about BGL, visit: www.bglgolf.co.uk grn-ogro • the magazine for the golf industry • grn-ogro • New Spa flourishes at Dartmouth Golf and Country Club DDartmouth Golf & Country Club's £850,000 investment in a new spa has paid immediate dividends with the top West Country resort reporting a 71% increase in revenue compared to 2013. The popular resort has been inundated with enquiries from people eager to experience the new facilities since opening in the spring, with a further 23% rise in walk-in customers for the new swimming pool. Jamie Waugh, managing director at Dartmouth Golf & Country Club, said: "We are thrilled by the initial success of the Dartmouth Spa. We are extremely pleased with the renovations and it is highly rewarding to see it so popular among spa goers. "We believe the positive response is down to the extensive range of high-quality facilities and treatments - all of which offer exceptional value for money." Following a four-month renovation, the Dartmouth Spa boasts a new indoor pool, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and fully equipped gym. The ideal place to relax and unwind, the fully equipped spa includes three treatment rooms, a dual treatment room for couples, manicure and pedicure areas and relaxation room, while offering the very best in Elemis treatments. The unique Rasul experience can be enjoyed individually, as a couple or with a friend. The ancient Egyptian bathing ritual - renowned for its detoxifying properties - involves specially formulated muds, infused steams and a dedicated Rasul Chamber. Two-day spa breaks including bed and breakfast, a two-course evening meal, and a choice of beauty treatments are available from just £69 per person. Spa lovers can also enjoy a perfect evening of relaxation with a mouthwatering twilight spa and dinner deal for just £29.95 - available Monday to Thursday from 4:00PM. All-inclusive membership is available at the Dartmouth Spa at a rate of £675 or £60 per CAN’T FIND THE ANSWER? BE SURE YOU’RE ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS + 44 (0) 1932 345 539 www.sportsmarketingsurveysinc.com [email protected] For international research on the sports industry – from event experience & participation levels, to equipment market sizes, lifestyle analysis & retailer attitudes - our insight is market leading. www.grn-ogro.com 73 grn-ogro • the magazine for the golf industry • grn-ogro month. Members can enjoy unlimited use of the spa facilities, six 30-minute treatments, a Rasul Mud experience and 15% discount on food and drink at the resorts bar and restaurant. Situated in 225 acres of south Devon countryside, just outside the beautiful town of Dartmouth, the resort boasts 27 holes of golf, luxury self-catering cottages and a 35 bed hotel. The resort is the perfect base from which to explore the region's picturesque towns, and stretches of sandy beaches. For more details on The Dartmouth Spa at Dartmouth Golf & Country Club, ring 0800 043 3669, email [email protected] or visit www.dgcc.co.uk. • New Director of Golf set to enhance experience at Thracian Cliffs The award-winning Thracian Cliffs Resort in Bulgaria has appointed former head of the Austrian PGA, Hansjoerg Lumpi, as its new 74 +44 (0)1580 715248 Above: the new spa at Dartmouth Golf and Country Club. Right: Hans Lumpi, the new Director of Golf at Thracian Cliffs. director of golf as it aims to elevate its guest golf experience to a new level. In addition to 11 years at the Austrian PGA, the experienced golf operations specialist has honed his skills in Europe and America including spending time working at leading Austrian resorts - Brandlhof GC and Golf Eichenheim. Lumpi joins a motivated new management team at the resort and will be responsible for enhancing every aspect of the experience on the golf course. Claudio Marini, Thracian Cliffs’ general manager, explained: “We are highly committed to making the resort one of the best and most renowned in Europe, not just for the dramatic golf course, but also for an exceptional playing experience and exemplary service. grn-ogro • the magazine for the golf industry • grn-ogro “We are striving to excel in every area and Hansjoerg’s expertise will be fundamental in enhancing the experience both on and off the course.” Lumpi said: “I came to Thracian Cliffs Resort because I believe it is one of the most stunning golf courses in the world. “My key objectives are to ensure that the course is set up to be a fair test for golfers of all abilities, and to ensure that each customer feels very welcome and has a memorable experience with us.” A number of strategic layout improvements have been implemented which have contributed to the recent membership invitation to join the Leading Golf Courses Europe - a prestigious club that includes a collection of world-class venues including Costa Navarino, Son Gual, Monte Rei and Open Championship venue Turnberry. Offering a choice of two high-spec residential The professionals at Southwest Greens designed a custom golf green for me that performs and reacts like a championship quality golf green. It is a great addition to not only my home but also my practice routine. Suzann Pettersen LPGA Tour Champion The Pro’s Choice Southwest Greens produce, design and install some of the finest synthetic golf surfaces in the UK, bringing you the expertise from almost 20,000 projects worldwide. From a pro course to a home installation, we can advise you of the best options whatever your needs and budget. Call Warren Bailey on 0845 230 4794 or visit our ALL NEW website www.southwestgreens.co.uk www.grn-ogro.com 75 grn-ogro • the magazine for the golf industry • grn-ogro villages, gourmet restaurants, a bijou spa and its own beach club, Thracian Cliffs offers plenty for non-golfing guests and lifestyle seekers - all within the unique environment of the Cape Kaliakra coast, which boasts averages of 10 hours’ daily sunshine between the months of April and October. For more information about Thracian Cliffs Resort or to book a break call 00 359 570 92222, email [email protected] or visit www.thraciancliffs.com. • Scotty Cameron opens doors to golfers with exclusive new gallery Scotty Cameron Gallery opens its doors in California to showcase exclusive product and create a tour-quality fitting experience for everyday golfers. Master Craftsman Scotty Cameron has been creating some of the world’s finest putters for decades through his work with leading tour professionals. Now there is somewhere for all golfers to experience the art of putting and go through the same fitting process as leading Titleist Brand Ambassadors, at the new Scotty Cameron Gallery. Located close to Cameron’s famed Studio in California, the Gallery showcases an everchanging array of rare Scotty Cameron tour putters and unique creations, alongside the tourstandard fitting studio, utilising the same methodology and technology to help golfers identify the best putter for their game. Above: Scotty Cameron. those three things to work in harmony.” Building on the success of Scotty Cameron putter fitting studios in Korea and Japan, the Gallery is home to Cameron’s first public putter fitting studio in the United States. It is an extension of Scotty’s state-of-the-art research and development facility in nearby North County San Diego – the Scotty “Opening the Scotty Cameron Gallery is something Cameron Putter Studio – where tour players from I’ve dreamed about for a long time. I’ve always around the world regularly visit to get fit by Scotty wanted to have a place open to the public where I and his team. At the Gallery, golfers will can share the things that I have created and love,” experience the same tour treatment, gaining said Cameron, whose putters have been the knowledge provided by Cameron’s proprietary choice of more players on the PGA Tour since high-speed video putting stroke analysis tools, as 1997 and counting. well as the expertise of his highly trained fitters. The Gallery, located in the quaint beach town In true Southern California fashion, the space has of Encinitas, is described by Cameron as, “part been converted from a surf shop and allows retail space, part high-end product gallery, 100% golfers to purchase a plethora of unique Cameron fitting facility. It is a place where golfers can come putters and one-off Scotty creations, including to understand what is happening between the clothing, headcovers, golf bags, handcrafted belt ball, the putter and the player – and how we get buckles, as well as an array of gifts that captured 76 +44 (0)1580 715248 grn-ogro • the magazine for the golf industry • grn-ogro Cameron’s attention and affection during his travels. “We have things here that you won’t see any place else in the world,” Cameron said. “When people come into the Gallery, we want them to feel the craftsmanship, the vibe, the experience. This is a place where you come to get fit and learn about your putting stroke, but also to get something that there is only one of in the world.” Watch The Scotty Cameron Gallery video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe-ZVDeCjSs or for more information and to find out how to book your own appointment visit www.scottycamerongallery.com. • BGL appoints Guy Riggott as new Operations Director, Golf Division Burhill Golf and Leisure (BGL), which owns and operates 10 UK golf venues, has appointed Guy Riggott as the new Operations Director of its Golf Division commencing September 8th 2014. Riggott, who has more than 20 years’ commercial experience in the leisure sector, including senior management roles at Crown Golf, Esporta Group and De Vere, will report directly to BGL Chief Executive Colin Mayes. Commenting on the new appointment, Colin Mayes said: “Guy has a strong track record of opening, developing and running complex multisite leisure businesses and his experience of delivering sustainable growth in a challenging golf market stands out. “Guy joins BGL at a time when our pay-and-play golf business is out-performing the market and we are growing as a business year-on-year and we have a number of exciting plans to develop our business further. Guy will undoubtedly help us convert a great start to 2014 into a strong year and help us developing our business even further in the coming years.” BGL is owned privately by Lord Iveagh and members of the Guinness family and has been a leader in delivering high-quality, accessible, Contact us: T: 0845 223 2410 E: [email protected] W: www.crossovertec.co.uk Crossover Technologies – the number one provider of Golf EPOS systems. Easy to use, integrated, golf specific – Crossover helps over 900 customer run their business better. We cover every aspect needed at a Golfing facility from Membership to Pro Shop and Bar, Tee Time bookings and range dispenser software. We have delivered reliable and affordable systems that are designed to save cost and increase revenue for over 15 years. We continue to develop new and innovative systems such as Points4Golf that increase membership and attracts new players. Let us help you dramatically simplify your stock management with XCodes – our database of over 400,000 golf products with descriptions, barcodes and prices available at a click of a button. Call us now on 0845 223 2410 to see how we can help your Shop, Range or Club. Or visit us as www.crossovertec.co.uk POINTS4GOLF • XBALL • XBAR • XBOOK • XCLUB • XPOS • XCODES www.grn-ogro.com 77 grn-ogro • the magazine for the golf industry • grn-ogro family-friendly pay-and-play golf and hospitality for more than 20 years. Riggott, who has a BA Honours degree in hotel and catering business management from Brighton University, said: “I trained in a hotel environment which provided me with strong management, service and organisational skills, as well as a focus on customer service which is vital to the modern golf facility. “BGL is a very strong business, with exciting growth plans, and I look forward to playing a significant role in making these plans come to life.” Riggott’s appointment follows the announcement that former BGL Golf Operations Director, Hugh Knowles, has moved to the newly created role of Operations and Development Director of BGL’s Adventure Leisure business. The company currently operates Adventure Golf courses at two of its pay-and-play golf centres and plans to expand the portfolio, as well as branching into alternative attraction-led activities such as indoor play and adventure climbing centres. For more information about BGL, visit: www.bglcompany.co.uk • Founding Father Bill Longmuir returning to play National Bank of Oman Golf Classic Bill Longmuir, an eight-time winner on the European Senior Tour, was one of the proudest men in the Sultanate when he teed it up at last year’s inaugural National Bank of Oman Golf Classic at The Wave, Muscat. The 61 year old Scot is one of the founding fathers of golf in Oman and helped re-create the re-sited Ghala Wentworth sand course at Ghala Valley, and establish the 18 holes grass course at Muscat Hills Golf and Country Club. 78 +44 (0)1580 715248 Above: Guy Riggott who joins BGL as the company’s new Operations Director, Golf Division,. “It was an emotional moment for me last October playing as a sponsor’s invite from the National Bank of Oman and I feel privileged that they have invited me again to play in this year’s event. To be playing in the European Challenge Tour event among the future stars of The European Tour in the first professional golf event to be played in the Sultanate was a great honour,” says Longmuir, who played for 16 years on The European Tour before switching to the European Senior Tour on reaching the qualifying age of 50. Ahmed Al Musalmi, Chief Executive Officer of National Bank of Oman said: “Bill has been one of the pioneers of golf in the Sultanate. We appreciate the work Bill did to help establish the sport in Oman and it will be good to see him here again for this second edition of the National Bank of Oman Golf Classic. “I was enormously impressed with the OGRO Preferred Supplier grn-ogro • the magazine for the golf industry • grn-ogro tournament last year,” says Longmuir, who has earned €1,377,048 in prize money so far during his 11 years on the European Senior Tour. “Everything about the event was outstanding. It was run on thoroughly professional lines and every detail had been covered. “The organisation was spot on and it looked as though the players were enjoying the challenge. The spectators I spoke to certainly enjoyed the event. I’d heard a lot of good things about the Greg Norman-designed course but I’d never actually played it until last year’s tournament. Fortunately, the wind didn’t blow too hard and the youngsters on the Challenge Tour showed just how good they are. The distances they were hitting the ball were frightening. Greg’s course is tough but fair, whatever the weather conditions, and you’ve got to hit it long and straight.” Longmuir is a long-term friend of Norman and often stayed with the Great White Shark in Florida to practice in the winter months when the weather in the UK was at its worst. “It was wonderful to see how golf in Muscat had progressed so much,” says Longmuir, who finished in a share of 33rd at last year’s tournament. “National Bank of Oman have achieved so much with their sponsorship of this tournament. The National Bank of Oman Golf Classic was as good, if not better, than many of the professional golf events I’ve played in over the years. “It was a major milestone to establish this tournament at a time when golf sponsorship is 80 +44 (0)1580 715248 Bill Longmuir raises the trophy after winning the DGM Barbados Open in 2008. tough. It’s a huge step forward for golf, tourism and business in Oman. It will certainly help grow the economy of the Sultanate and it creates the opportunity for the golf courses and hotels to create packages for golf tourists to visit Oman. “The Sultanate of Oman is a fabulous place and I’m sure that once golf tourists start to visit, it will encourage more and more visitors for years to come. The other wonderful aspect of golf in Oman is that Omanis are eager to take up the game. “If the schoolchildren can be introduced to the game at an early age then I’m sure that we’d see a whole new generation of golfers. I appreciate that a great deal has been done to generate interest among the juniors but you can’t do too much to introduce them to the game at every level. “I’m sure the second instalment of National Bank of Oman Golf Classic will be another great tournament and I can’t wait to come over to Muscat and enjoy the event.” OGRO Preferred Supplier AJW CONSTRUCTION LTD WELCOMES YOU TO THE WORLD OF HI-NETS. FENCING SYSTEMS FOR THE LEISURE INDUSTRY. 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