New market research into golf participation in the UK will be presented at the KPMG Golf Business Forum, St Andrews, Scotland, 3-5 June.
The survey, commissioned by Syngenta for a topical panel session on the ‘UK Golf Course Industry – Participation and Ideas for Growth’, questioned 1,500 golfers and 2,000 non-golfers and is set to reveal ‘fascinating findings.’
The results will shed light on why many golfers leave the sport and take up other interests, and reveal the factors that would attract new players.
It will also show there is a significant latent demand for golf that is going untapped.
Syngenta Global Turf Business Manager Eric Brown, who will present the report’s results, said: “This is a substantial piece of research that has revealed some fascinating findings.
“While it is well known that there has been a shift from committed club golfers to casual players, what this research does is question both golfers and non-golfers, including those who have given up the sport, to understand more about what would make them participate regularly and the influences and opportunities that would enable them to take up the game.
“While some of the results will be familiar, what is surprising is the scale of latent demand and the potential to introduce specific ideas and initiatives that would successfully engage and retain new and existing players.”
Following a presentation of the research, there will be a panel discussion on the findings and key topics, with innovative ideas, case studies and contributions from:
- Colin Mayes, Chief Executive of BGL Golf, which owns 10 golf courses, including seven pay-and-play facilities
- Carl Rutherford, Managing Director, Bearwood Lakes Golf Club, a successful upmarket members’ club
- Danny Delaney, Golf Manager, Morley Hayes, a thriving hotel, restaurant and open access golf course in Derbyshire
- Eddie Reid, Managing Director, the TGI Golf Partnership, a retail services group jointly owned by more than 400 ‘Partners’, predominantly PGA Professionals with on-course golf shops.
Eric Brown continued: “As a company, Syngenta has an inherent interest in the long term business sustainability of golf and it is for this reason we commissioned the research to provide a fresh look into some key unanswered questions.”
The Golf Business Forum, hosted at The Fairmont St Andrews Hotel and supported by Visit Scotland, Scottish Development International and Fife Council, with the assistance of Golf Tourism Scotland, will bring together up to 300 delegates including leading brands, developers and world-class golf and leisure operators from more than 40 countries.
For more information about the Golf Business Forum and to register visit: www.golfbusinessforum.com