While this year’s Open at Royal St George’s will now take place in 2021, the work of head professional, Justen Fiddler, continues. Here he talks about ensuring the shop is profitable, preparing for The Open and introducing the game to local youngsters.
While golfers have been observing social distancing on the course at UK clubs in the last few days, some have asked what is the best way to keep their clubs and other golfing equipment clean to best protect themselves.
The season of golf is upon us. The weather is getting warmer, and, for those regular on the golf course, that means it’s time to get their gear and attire and start playing.
Golf is one of the few sports allowed to be played at the moment, but only under strict new rules. Here, online tee time provider BRS GOLF, explains how you can manage and even increase bookings while adhering to the new regulations.
One golf club made staff redundant, which led to members quitting, one’s raised more than £20k via a crowdfunder and another has said subscription refunds could lead to closure. We look at the financial plight of three clubs in the Covid-19 lockdown.
The general manager of Canterbury Golf Club talks about dealing with the Covid-19 lockdown, how the club has grown exponentially since it bought its land six years ago and his role as a consultant to struggling golf clubs.
In an open letter to the golf industry, the new head of England Golf says ‘there is a buzz about golf being back’, and that golf clubs’ staff and volunteers deserve praise for their work during the lockdown.
Food and beverage expert Steven Brown answers questions about one of the hardest hit areas in the pandemic: golf clubs’ bars and restaurants.
Many European Tour players, including Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer, have decided to participate in virtual golf tournaments which are powered by simulator technology.
The beginnings of golf date back to the 15th century Scotland, where it was a posh sport played by aristocrats.
The jarring sound of a ring tone, regardless of how nice the ringtone is, is enough to set anyone off.
Having just been made redundant as the first ever general manager of a historic golf club due to the coronavirus pandemic, Chris Duffy argues that a manager is the best resource a club can utilise in order to survive the pandemic.
Longniddry in East Lothian has furloughed staff, cancelled events, negotiated payment holidays for services and, thanks to course maintenance prioritising, is looking forward to the resumption of golf with some optimism.
‘Any golf clubs or courses that have ever purchased an Eagle scorecard or any golfer who has ever marked a score on an Eagle scorecard, did so on a card made by Jeff and his team.’
Here’s a round-up of some heartening stories involving golf clubs, their members and their suppliers, and how they have gone the extra mile in the last month, and in doing so have ensured we can look to this industry with pride.
Golf is a sport built upon its traditions, and by hosting the majors in the same month each year the players are able to draw up their schedules in a way that sees them peaking in time for the sport’s biggest prizes.
The general manager of Fulford Golf Club in York talks about the challenges involved in managing a leading venue, how Covid-19 has dominated his work in recent weeks and how the club markets itself.
Toro has identified a virtual ecosystem of products such as irrigation control, fertiliser and pesticide application, turf and soil monitoring and equipment performance monitoring that when connected online reduce operating costs and enhance safety.
The National Golf Clubs Advisory Association (NGCAA) explores the legal situation between a golf club and its head professional during the Covid-19 lockdown.
The team behind online booking platform Greenfee365.com believe that if the golf industry offers more digital payment options and markets to local golfers it will survive and even thrive during the post lockdown period.
Despite their apparent differences in relation to format, there are surprisingly many similarities between golf and football regarding transferable skills.
A penny for the thoughts of that trio, then, on the chatter around Premier Golf League (PGL), the breakaway competition that will cause a schism between golf’s elite players (the top 48 is mooted as the cut-off point for entry) and the rest.
The Golf Foundation, a national charity that helps disadvantaged young people grow through golf, has created six ideas to help families during the coronavirus pandemic.
Brand partnerships between golf clubs and other organisations are low-cost initiatives that can enhance the golf club’s brand entirely by association alone, while delivering real financial results at the same time, writes Stephen Nicholson.
Food and beverage consultant Steven Brown explores what golf clubs can do to ensure their bars and restaurants can be as profitable as possible after the Covid-19 lockdown period ends.
There is hope: After the Spanish Flu pandemic, golf participation around the world doubled during the ‘Roaring Twenties’, and the game became so popular that handicapping was standardised, the Ryder Cup started and the Open Championship began charging people to attend.
Robbie talks about increased professionalism in the industry today, the transition from PGA professional to golf club manager, the restoration works that have been taking place at his course and the benefits of having a leading pro linked to the club.
