At a recent ‘Roadshow’ event organised by the Golf Consultants Association (GCA) a number of golf course operators present indicated an interest in forming a separate organisation that would specifically benefit proprietary golf course owners.
The chairman of the GCA, Ian Bulleid of Impetus Golf & Leisure, was pleased that the ‘Profit from Golf’ Roadshow stimulated such an interesting debate. “There was a feeling expressed that proprietary golf clubs have often been forgotten in the wider debates around the golf industry and that such an organisation could serve a real purpose,” he said.
Gill Wilson, managing director of family owned golf club, Rye Hill, added, “I believe that there could be an opportunity for a pro-active group of owners/operators to co-operate and drive business forward. As custodians for the ongoing development of sustainable, accessible, affordable and multi-generational golf we all know the necessity of encouraging participation amongst existing and new golfers. A lone voice is difficult to hear – but a crowd can make a noise!”
The Federation of Sports & Play Associations (FSPA), the umbrella body for a number of sports trades associations has agreed to coordinate the formation of the new organisation should there be sufficient demand.
The FSPA has a long history of establishing and managing successful trade associations from its base in Warwickshire where nine staff are on hand to assist association members.
As well as being able to supply a fully operational headquarters team FSPA already has considerable knowledge about the business of golf. Among the groups which already benefit are the British Golf Industry Association, European Golf Industry Association, Golf Consultants Association and the British Rootzone & Topdressing Manufacturers Association,
The next step is to assess the level of demand, the FSPA is therefore keen to hear (without obligation) from proprietary golf course owners and operators who might be interested in being part of such an organisation and have a view on what its aims and objectives should be.
Dependent upon the number of responses, it is likely that a meeting of interested parties will be held to progress this initiative. To register an interest please email jacquib@sportsandplay.com