The findings of KPMG’s eagerly-awaited Golf Benchmark Survey will be announced at the inaugural European Golf Course Owners Association (EGCOA) Conference in Amsterdam, from 23-25 November, 2006.
The survey is a market intelligence study aiming to collect and share comparable benchmark data for the golf industry across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMA).
KPMG’s Travel Leisure and Tourism Practice has collected data on more than 800 golf courses from 27 countries and the results will be announced by KPMG partner Andrea Sartori, who is the initiator of the survey. In his 12 years with KPMG Sartori has also founded the KPMG Golf Business Forum and published the first Golf Course Development Cost Survey in the EMA Region.
Sartori said, “The findings of the Golf Benchmark Survey could revolutionise the way people look at the golf industry. For the first time comparable operational and financial information will be available and will allow individual courses to compare their performance to that of the industry high, average and low in their own market.
“We hope the Golf Benchmark Survey, which KPMG will publish annually, will assist golf course operators and owners to support their future business decisions. The European Golf Course Owners Association Conference was chosen as the venue to announce the results because it will bring together golf industry figures from across the continent.”
The objective of the EGCOA conference is to bring together golf course owners and other important industry partners. The theme of the event is: “Grow the game and improve your business”.
The landscape of golf in Europe is changing and the conference will focus on the development of golf in various European countries. Analysing these changes and looking at solutions found by golf course owners will be a very important part of the programme.
The broad range of speakers has huge experience in the golf industry. Among them is the CEO of the National Golf Course Owners Association, Mike Hughes, who will talk about the role and success of the organisation. Niall Flanagan, manager of the Links Trust of St Andrews, will talk about the secrets of operating the most famous course in the world, while Henk Jan de Boer, director of food and beverage BurgGolf, will advise golf course owners how to make good revenues on their food and beverage operations. Falk Billion, an independent golf course appraiser, will explain what influences the value of golf courses.
The conference will also focus on internet usage at golf courses, looking at email marketing, online reservation bookings and database management.
Toro is the main sponsor of the first EGCOA Conference. Other sponsors of the event are EyeOn, Syngenta, Duchell, Mindstyle, Golf Marnoch, Diamond Golf Architects, Floratine, Barenbrug, Pro Grass, Mövenpick Hotel and The Azalea Group.
In order to make this a memorable conference, the EGCOA has arranged accommodation at the Mövenpick Hotel which is within walking distance of the centre of Amsterdam, famous for great sightseeing, Christmas shopping and galleries and museums.
There are still places available for the EGCOA Conference. Delegates should contact Steve Brine at Azalea via steve@theazaleagroup.com
KPMG Golf Benchmark Survey www.golfbenchmark.com
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