Episódios
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In this episode of Trending Topics, we're joined by Sarah Barter, Head of Handicapping & Course Rating at England Golf. Sarah offers an insightful look into England Golf's critical role in managing and supporting the World Handicap System (WHS) in England.
We explore how England Golf provides the WHS service under licence to golf clubs, offers general handicap assistance, and oversees a robust course rating system. Sarah also shares highlights from their recent nationwide WHS workshops, which underline the organization's strong commitment to supporting club volunteers.
Listen in as we dive into key stats around handicap indexes, average handicaps, and the growing number of iGolfers. Plus, Sarah emphasizes why keeping your course rating up-to-date is more important than ever.
Whether you're a club volunteer, player, or just curious about how handicapping works, this episode sets the scene and spotlights the comprehensive support available through England Golf.
Key Topics Covered:
England Golf’s role in the World Handicap System
How course rating impacts your game
Supporting clubs and volunteers through education
National statistics on handicaps and iGolfers
Why maintaining course ratings matters
https://www.englandgolf.org/handicapping
Handicap Statistics - England Golf
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In this episode, Leighton is joined by renowned golf course architect Tim Lobb, founder of Lobb & Partners. The conversation charts Tim’s journey from his early days in Melbourne through pivotal roles at European Golf Design and Thompson, Perrett and Lobb, culminating in the launch of his own practice. Along the way, Tim shares how each phase of his career has informed his philosophy of working with the land, rather than imposing upon it.
We explore Lobb & Partners' international portfolio, with projects stretching from British Columbia to India, and delve into the nuances of designing for such diverse environments. A spotlight is also placed on their current work at West Hill, located in the historic Surrey Heathlands, where Leighton recently paid a visit.
The conversation also touches on Tim's pioneering efforts in emerging golf markets like Turkey and Egypt, and the promising future of India as the next major frontier in golf course development.
This is an insightful discussion with one of golf architecture’s most respected figures.
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Leighton & Eddie catch up for a chat and one of the topics is Eddie's recent presentation at the GCMA London & Home Counties Meeting.
Eddie then welcomes golf advocate and community builder Julie Walker, founder of Golfers Experience Consulting and Women on the Tee, a knowledge hub for womens golf. Julie talks about her passion for elevating the women’s game, the impact of the R&As Women in Golf Charter, the need for an equitable golf experience for anyone and everyone that plays golf, and through her latest initiative, the Golfers Experience, Julie is reshaping what it means to compete, connect, and grow in golf.
From grassroots to elite amateurs, Julie shares how she’s advocating for inclusive and memorable golf experiences for women at every level—on and off the course.
About Julie Walker:
Julie Walker is the founder of Golfers Experience Consulting, where she is reimagining how women engage with the game by blending competition, camaraderie, and personal growth. Julie brings her love for golf, business savvy, and inclusive vision to everything she does in the sport.
Julie is also the founder of Women on the Tee, a knowledge hub for women golfers, where women can learn about the rich history of womens golf, the rules, handicap system, joining a golf club and the golf experiences available to women golfers within and beyond golf clubs.
Websites:
https://golfersexperience.com/
Instagram: @womenonthetee
LinkedIn: Julie Walker
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After a brief catch-up between Eddie and Leighton, Episode 117 dives into an important and challenging conversation about the underrepresentation of Black and ethnic minority communities in UK golf.
Leighton is joined by three powerful voices driving change in the sport:
Julia Regis – Consultant and Board Member of England Golf
Nicola Bennett – PGA Professional
Randy Plowright – African Caribbean Golf Association
Together, they explore the barriers to participation and what it will take for golf—especially clubs—to become more intentional about creating welcoming and equitable environments for all players. The discussion blends personal experiences with practical initiatives aimed at promoting inclusion and boosting awareness.
This episode tackles a difficult issue with honesty and hope, showing how meaningful change is not only possible, but already underway.
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In this episode of GCMA Insights, the focus is on the upcoming Conference from 16th - 18th November 2025 at the stunning De Vere Cotswold Water Park, Wiltshire. 🌟
Now rebranded as the Golf Club Management Conference and Exhibition, the show appeals to anyone in Golf, not just GCMA members.
💡 What makes it unmissable?
✅ Game-changing insights from industry experts
✅ Dynamic & interactive sessions that tackle real-world challenges
✅ Networking opportunities with the best and brightest in golf club managementThe show also centers aroud the theme of clubs and Managers being "Future Ready" through Strategy, Sustainability and Success!
Leighton is joined by Tom Brooke, Darren Wood and Gareth Morgan who talk us through the details of the show, education program and exhibition. There's also a deeper dive into the theme of "Future ready"!
Bookings are now open. Go to:
https://www.gcma.org.uk/conference-2025/
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In this episode, we're joined by golf course designer and builder Ryan Van Der Veen of Van Der Veen Designs.
Growing up in Indiana, Ryan entered the world of construction and design early on—launching his career under the legendary Pete Dye. His time with Dye laid the foundation for a hands-on, design-and-build approach that's remained with him throughout his career.
Ryan later joined Norman Designs, where he spent years refining his skills in construction, project management, and design across the globe. Eventually, his journey led him to Australia, where he's now based and continuing to make his mark.
We dive into Ryan’s current and upcoming projects, including:
The nearly completed enhancement program at Glenelg Golf Club in South Australia, in collaboration with Neil Crafter
A new project at Mollymook Golf Club in New South Wales
Ryan brings a calm and thoughtful perspective to the craft—shaped by decades of experience and a unique blend of tradition and innovation. There are some fantastic stories in this one, especially around his early days with Pete Dye and life on the road with international projects.
Whether you're into golf architecture, design philosophy, or just love a good behind-the-scenes story, this episode is for you.
🎧 Tune in and enjoy!
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-van-der-veen-b8698a215/
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https://www.mollymookgolf.com.au/
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In this episode, Leighton is joined by Mike Orloff from Golf Industry Central for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of club life in Australia and New Zealand. Together, they explore what clubs in the region are doing well, with a particular focus on cultural dynamics and modern approaches to governance. The focus is largely on then clubs in the middle and their need to develop and innovate.
One standout example of innovation is Palm Valley Resort in Queensland, a cutting-edge development that’s pushing the boundaries of traditional club offerings. Beyond championship golf, Palm Valley is making waves—literally—with the addition of a state-of-the-art wave pool, blending lifestyle, leisure, and sport in a way that reflects the future of resort-style club experiences.
The conversation also highlights the upcoming Field Trips initiative—an exciting series of immersive experiences designed to showcase best practices and spark new ideas. The series will kick off in Asia in April and expand to include destinations in the USA and New Zealand, offering club professionals a unique opportunity to attend education events and connect with peers from around the world.
It’s an engaging and informative listen with plenty of takeaways for anyone interested in the business of golf, hospitality, and club leadership.
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In this episode, Leighton delves into the remarkable transformation of Basingstoke Golf Club, telling the story through the evolution of the course itself. What began as an ambitious project years ago saw the club make a bold move half a mile across the M3 to Dummer Golf Club. The transition included selling the original site for development and acquiring Dummer Golf Course, all while ensuring that the members always had a course to play on.
Scott and Bruce join Leighton to discuss the early challenges of this endeavor, including navigating planning hurdles, managing water resources, and crafting layouts that allowed for continuous play. They also talk about how they managed to preserve key elements of the old Dummer course while giving it a major facelift, modernizing the chalk downland course with dramatic improvements. The greens, in particular, stand out with their impressive movement and challenging pin placements.
Now entering its first full season, Scott is focused on making sure the course plays hard, fast, and in top condition.
This episode highlights how innovation, drive, and a clear vision can not only reshape a golf course but also secure the future of a beloved, long-standing club.
https://www.basingstokegolfclub.co.uk/
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In this episode, Leighton & Eddie are joined by Phil Grice – industry veteran and founder of Custodian Golf and GC Media. With deep roots in golf club ownership, management (including the transformation of Royal Norwich), and leadership as former Chairman of the GCMA, Phil brings a data-driven lens to the future of club sustainability.
Phil shares insights into why data must lead decision-making and unpacks years of research identifying common traits of struggling clubs — insights that are helping others avoid the same pitfalls.
He also introduces his compelling analogy of “Lions, Meerkats & Ostriches” to describe leadership styles and behaviours within clubs — a must-hear framework for any club manager or board.
The conversation wraps with a look into technology in golf, and why clubs must embrace innovation to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry.
👉 Download the Custodian White Paper mentioned in the episode at:
https://www.custodiangolf.co.uk/
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Follow our other show - The Greenprint, a podcast on Golf Courses.
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-greenprint/id1801777880
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On this week's episode, Leighton & Eddie are joined by Kirsten Grobler from "The Social Kode." Kirsten, who has been working with Eddie and Leighton for some time now, specializes in helping businesses enhance their social media and marketing strategies. She shares insightful tips on how golf clubs can maximize their social media impact and tell compelling stories to engage their customers. Leighton also gives a shout out to the Over 35 Golf Tour. Details below.
Later, Eddie chats with Tom Scott, the General Manager of Harpenden Golf Club in Hertfordshire. As a member of the Millennial generation, Tom brings a fresh perspective to golf club management. He opens up about his career journey, how early experiences have shaped his decision-making, and offers valuable advice for anyone looking to break into Golf Club Management.
www.golfclubtalk.uk [email protected] https://www.instagram.com/golfclubtalkuk/ https://www.harpendengolfclub.co.uk/www.harpenden https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-social-kode/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsten-grobler-36683219b/ https://o35tour.com/ -
In this episode, Leighton and Tom Brooke (GCMA CEO) reflect on their recent experience at the London & Home Counties Regional Meeting, held at the newly transformed Basingstoke Golf Club. They explore the value of regional meetings for GCMA members, sharing insights from this specific gathering. The GCMA’s ongoing commitment to improving regional meetings for their members is also highlighted.
Leighton is then joined by Scott Patience and David Green to delve into the fascinating story behind the redevelopment of Basingstoke Golf Club. The conversation covers the disbanding of the original Basingstoke GC, the acquisition, and transformation of Dummer Golf Club into the new Basingstoke GC. Scott shares his experiences as GM during this transition, detailing the challenges faced and how the club evolved through the process.
David Green, the new GM, discusses his role in taking the club forward, and the team reflects on key topics such as people, culture, governance, and the determination required to pull off such a unique project.
Tune in for a rich discussion on leadership, change management, and the future of the golf industry.
Key Topics:
The value of regional GCMA meetings
The redevelopment journey of Basingstoke Golf Club
Scott Patience’s role in the transition process
Leadership, culture, and governance in golf clubs
David Green's vision for the future of Basingstoke GC
Enjoy the conversation and gain insights into one of the most ambitious golf club transformations in recent memory!
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https://www.basingstokegolfclub.co.uk/
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Welcome to the first episode of The Greenprint! In this inaugural episode, we dive into the incredible story of Raglan Golf Club in Monmouthshire, Wales—a course that has truly risen from the ashes. After closing its doors following the COVID-19 pandemic, Raglan was purchased in early 2024 by a group hailing from Monmouthshire, and its rebirth is nothing short of inspiring.
Lucy, the driving force behind the revitalization, shares her journey in transforming the course from a state of disrepair to one that's ready to open in early April. From rebuilding greens to adding new tees and bunkers, Lucy has tackled every challenge, including restoring irrigation systems and improving drainage. She also discusses the agronomic hurdles of reopening a course after being closed for over two years, including selecting the right grass species for greens that were initially sown with fescue.
This episode is a fascinating look at how a struggling venue can be brought back to life with the right vision, support, and the dedication of passionate people. Tune in for an encouraging and insightful story of revival and community focus.
https://www.raglangolfclub.co.uk/
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In this episode of Golf Club Talk UK, we’re thrilled to welcome Daniel Grieve, Head Professional at the prestigious Woburn Golf Club and a Master PGA Professional with a wealth of experience. Daniel has become a standout figure in the golfing world, particularly known for his innovative approach to the short game.
Eddie sits down with Daniel to discuss his impressive presence on social media, where he’s been sharing fresh, original techniques that are transforming how golfers approach their short game. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, Daniel’s philosophy is all about simplifying complex concepts and providing golfers with practical tools to elevate their skills.
Daniel’s system, which forms the basis of his widely praised book 3 Releases: The Short Game System, has helped golfers at every level gain a deeper understanding of the short game and improve their performance around the greens.
Eddie guides a fascinating conversation with an influential figure in the game.
https://dangrieve.com/3-releases-the-short-game-system/ https://dangrieve.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@DanGrieveGolf www.golfclubtalk.uk [email protected] -
In this episode, we're thrilled to have Nathanael Pietrzak-Swirc, CEO of UGOLF in France, joining us. Nathanael (CCM) has built a stellar reputation in the golf industry and now leads UGOLF, a company specializing in the management and operation of golf courses on behalf of local authorities, associations, and private owners. UGOLF is uniquely positioned as the only operator expanding in both France and Spain.
With 58 locations across metropolitan and overseas France, 7 in Spain, and 1 in Rwanda, UGOLF continues to grow its footprint. This conversation delves into the current state of golf in France, UGOLF's efforts to increase participation through its Academy setup, and the company’s exciting plans for global expansion.
Tune in to hear about Nathanael's journey as well as the future of golf, UGOLF's innovative initiatives, and their vision for growth on the world stage!
https://jouer.golf/en/who-we-are/
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In this episode, Leighton reflects on the recent Strategy Workshops hosted by England Golf, with the support of BIGGA, GCMA, and the Activation Project. He is joined by Matt Draper and Matt Bloor, who helped lead the workshops, to capture the key takeaways and insights shared during the sessions. They are also joined by Simon Gardner and Phil Davis of the Activation Project, who played an active role in facilitating these important discussions.
The workshops provided a comprehensive look at how golf clubs can build or evolve their strategic plans. The focus was on using data, consultation, and best practices to create a roadmap for success. The Activation Project shared a structured approach to developing these plans, emphasizing the importance of understanding where your club is now, and where it aims to be in the future.
Throughout the discussion, the panel explores how clubs can assess their current position and set realistic, impactful goals for the future. They also dive into the critical question of who should be involved in the planning process, from board members to staff, and how to foster collaboration and ownership across the club. Moreover, the conversation highlights the importance of maintaining momentum and ensuring the plan stays on track, even when challenges arise.
Whether you're in the early stages of developing a strategic plan or looking for ways to refine your current approach, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable advice for golf clubs looking to grow and evolve with purpose.
Check out the episode from July 2024 on the DNA report which captures data from clubs
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Leighton and Eddie catch up to discuss the current state of Golf Clubs, a look at CMAA World Conference and Eddie's week at AIMG in Montpelier. Leighton also explains that GCTUK will be commencing some international episodes in late March. In addition to this Leighton will be starting the new show soon - "The Greenprint", a podcast on Golf Courses including Architecture, Sustainability and Agronomy.
Leighton then joins James Caldwell (Head Professional) and David Addison (GM) of Barassie Golf Club. James has recently taken over as Head Professional following the tenure of a successful Professional. We talk about James' journey into the role and some of the things he will have to navigate as he sets up his business and looks to provide the best possible service to members and visitors of the club. David also gives a view on the decision making process in appointing James and the vision he has for success at Barassie.
It's a relaxed and informative chat and we wish James every success in his role at https://www.kbgc.co.uk/
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With the first four modules of the Advanced Management Programme completed, we catch up with four General Managers who were attendees on the respective courses. These are; Food & Beverage, Governance, Health & Safety and Marketing.
Gareth Morgan, Professional Development Manager for GCMA joins the discussion where we explore the learnings that have come out of the modules and how these can be applied back at club level. The guests also discuss the huge value in the networking and peer to peer connection.
A big thank you to all our guests and their clubs:
Food & Beverage: Chris Cooper (GM at Shooters Hill GC) Governance: Chris Huggins (GM at Ferndown GC) Health & Safety: Claire Docker (GM at Robin Hood GC) Marketing: Roger Hyder (GM at Canterbury GC)www.gcma.org.uk
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On this episode of Trending Topics with England Golf, we spend some time with two of the England Golf board - Julia Regis and Jenny Denyer. The discussion looks to present a picture of the process of becoming a Director, what it's like to be on the board and the role itself and any specialised areas that each Director might take responsibility for.
Julia and Jenny give us an overview of their careers thus far and how that placed them nicely to help the strategic direction of England Golf. Both come from a leadership, coasching and performance angle and have performed roles on other Boards.
The conversation delves into some challenges facing Golf as a sport and how these might be approached. They include improving ethnic diversity in Golf and attracting more women and girls to the game. There's also a look at some of the great opportunities in front of the sport and how these can be exploited.
A great chat and thanks to Julia and Jenny for giving up their time.
https://www.englandgolf.org/
https://www.englandgolf.org/leadership-team
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In this second of two episodes from the CMAA Conference, we bring you two insightful interviews recorded on-site. First, we sit down with James Burns and John McCormack of Club Benchmarking dive into the critical role of data, strategic planning, and capital planning for modern clubs. Then, Alex Woodward, CEO of Walton Heath, who shares his thoughts on leadership, service and high performance in the club industry.
While the conference serves as a backdrop, these discussions go beyond just the event—it’s about how clubs can thrive through better leadership, service standards, and long-term planning.
Guests:
James Burns & John McCormack: Co-founders of Club Benchmarking, providing data-driven strategies to help clubs achieve financial success and operational excellence Alex Woodward: CEO of Walton Heath, one of the UK’s most prestigious golf clubs, sharing insights on high-performance leadership in the private club industryMain Topics Discussed:
The use of data in strategic planning and capital planning for clubs Best practices for club leaders to navigate financial challenges and long-term sustainability The role of benchmarking data in shaping effective operational strategies Leadership lessons from Alex Woodward on driving high-performance teams in the club industry. The importance of maintaining and improving service standards to ensure member satisfaction and retention Walton Heath: www.waltonheath.com Club Benchmarking: https://www.clubbenchmarking.eu/
We hope you enjoyed these valuable insights from the CMAA World Conference. Please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with colleagues in the club industry.Contact Info:
For questions, guest suggestions, or feedback, email us at [email protected]www.golfclubtalk.uk
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After a quick intro from Leighton, we have two interviews recorded at the Conference in Tampa, to give a flavour of this important event.
Michael Herd and Tom Wallace join from Kopplin, Kuebler and Wallace. There's discussion about KK&W's continuing expansion plans with a move into Australia and New Zealand, Tom and Michael explain why Managers should try and get to the Conference, as well as discussion on good governance, how to present your personal brand in the best way and what you can do as a leader to ensure people want to work with you. Big thanks to Michael and Tom for their ongoing support of GCTUK but also giving up their time at the show.
President and CEO of CMAA, Jeff Morgan then joins to give his perspective on the show, but also some of the numbers involved. This is Jeff's 11th conference as CEO, and the event continues to go from strength to strength. We discuss the CMAA's relationship with CMAE and the benefits of coming to conference and how these benefits can reach your club.
https://kkandw.com/international/
https://www.cmaa.org/
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Don't forget our Management Field Trip at Princes and Royal Cinque Ports Golf Clubs on 26th, 27th March. For more details or to book click here - Management Field Trip
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