The burgeoning Golf Consultants Association (GCA) is planning to increase its professional profile in 2014 with a concerted media campaign.
Membership of the Midlands-based GCA has more than doubled in the last two years with members drawn from all elements of the diverse golf industry – from project management and green keeping consultancy, through resort development and course design, to operational management and PR and marketing.
This mixed, yet connected membership ensures the GCA is able to offer a varied, yet expert approach to business solutions for golf, both in the UK and abroad, with the association providing consultancy services from Asia to USA during 2013, particularly where golf is still regarded as a ‘developing’ sport.
As 2013 heads towards 2014, officials at the GCA are determined to continue to expand not just the membership but also the expertise and client reach. To achieve this, the Association will start the new year with a new website and will feature in a series of articles in a number of leading industry outlets, including Golf Range News, OGRO’s monthly magazine, and Golf Course Architecture. Members of the Association will also be featured in a number of video interviews to be carried on the Golf Business News website.
In the mature golf markets GCA consultants have been widely involved in helping clubs who have looked to improve their commercial performance in the light of challenging economic times, from advising how courses can be redesigned to bring in more revenue, to saving valuable sums by evaluating costs and statutory valuations.
Howard Swan, the chairman of the GCA and principal architect at Swan Golf Designs, said: “It has been a great privilege to have led the group throughout the year. I am encouraged by the interest the marketplace has shown in us and the greater scope of what we can provide.
“Equally, it is exciting for me to see how the number of new members has increased, with some very experienced people from international golf business which will contribute further to our continuing progress as an influential body.”