There are concerns that the image of golf has made some local authorities prejudiced against the sport while others are accused of financial opportunism. The EGU has organised a two-day seminar, which will examine the current public golf scene in order to identify the features that characterise good public golf provision and where golf fits within the other priorities of local government.
The seminar will then seek to identify the action required to maximise the special benefits of publicly provided golf.
The event will take place at the National Golf Centre at Woodhall Spa on 25th-26th October. It will be of value to all policy makers in sport and golf as well as sports development officers and facility managers.
The first day will begin with a review of the golf market as a whole and where the municipal sector currently fits within it. The justification for public golf will then be argued and how performance and delivery can be measured. A ‘compare and contrast‘ session of different local authority models will follow, including presentations from two commercial operators, Jack Barker and Glendale. Can the ethos of public golf be maintained alongside the need to make a profit?
The second day will concentrate on the role of public golf facilities in the development of the game. Sport England will present an overview and then discuss the initiatives of various individual governing bodies and associations – the EGU, ELGA, PGA and Golf Foundation. A case study of golf in schools in Birmingham will complete the event.
Speakers include:
- Today’s Golf Market: Stephen Proctor, Sports Marketing Surveys
What are the trends in the golf market and which sectors is the public sector capable of serving? How may local authority provision develop on the basis of current trends - Justifying Public Golf Provision: Speaker: Peter Howard, Golf Manager – Sport & Leisure Division, Alexander Stadium, Birmingham City Council
There are essential differences between public provision and other golf providers, which need to be developed and communicated in order to promote the service. Just what can golf contribute to corporate agendas such as young people, the environment, and equality of opportunity? - Case Studies
Golf and Leisure Trusts – Sheffield International Venues
Nick Leuty, Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield International Venues
Contracting Out Golf – Leeds City Council Experience
Chris Hill, Golf Manager, Parks and Countryside, Leeds City Council
The Commercial Sector Ethos – and view of what public providers‘ roles are
Ron Maydon, Managing Director, Jack Barker Group & Neil Simpson, Director of Golf, Glendale Golf - The issues for golf in contributing to Sport England’s agenda
Diane Horsley, Sport England - National Governing Body Perspective – Golf Development
Richard Flint, Golf Development Officer, EGU - English Ladies Golf Association – Clubmark & Junior Coaching
Kirsty Jennings, Junior Girls Development Officer English Ladies Golf Association - Professional Golf Association Coach Education – Volunteer To Pro
David Colclough, Training Executive for Coach Education, Professional Golf Association National Training Academy - Junior Golf Means Business
Stuart Armstrong, Development Manager, Golf Foundation - Golf in Schools (case study)
Craig Singleton, Golf Development Officer, Alexander Stadium Birmingham City Council
Delegate Fees:
Full Delegate £165 + VAT (includes entrance to the seminar, lunch and refreshments on Day One and the evening dinner. Plus entrance to the seminar and refreshments on Day Two)
Day Delegate £110 + VAT (includes entrance to the seminar, lunch and refreshments on Day One or entrance to the seminar and refreshments on Day Two)
Accommodation is not included.
The event is organised by ILAM Services: contact Adam Turner, ILAM House, Lower Basildon, Reading, Berkshire RG8 9NE
Direct Tel: 01491 874854 Fax: 01491 874801
E-mail: adamturner@ilam.co.uk Web: www.ilam.co.uk
EGU www.englishgolfunion.org