Golf Business Development (GBD) magazine is to be suspended as a title by its publisher.
The cross-industry magazine for decision-makers in golf received plaudits for its standard of content and high production values, including in-depth profiles of golf business figures, analysis of new golf equipment and expert advice supplied by leaders in their fields.
However, after starting life during the recession and producing 15 issues, GBD’s publisher Ben Evans is calling a halt to the title, which has not produced high enough revenues and profits.
Publication of GBD is suspended for the foreseeable future.
Ben Evans will be launching new publishing projects in golf (announcements to be made soon) and will retain working relationships with many golf companies.
The decision means that GBD consultant editor Geoff Russell will now be concentrating entirely on taking his publication GolfBusinessNews.Com to the next level as the premier digital platform for golf industry news – a project that was always supported by GBD.
“GBD has won many friends and readers have complimented us for the high standard of writing and ideas,” said Ben. “I think the magazine did some really good things but it’s time for change.
“A general industry magazine’s strength can also be a weakness during a tough time economically. Prospective advertisers who have limited budget are drawn – out of necessity – to focusing on their specific area of sales, whether this is the pro shop, the greenkeeping side or the clubhouse management team, rather than in a glossy, industry-wide paper product which looks at the broader issues.”
Ben added: “I’d like to thank Geoff for his strong industry knowledge in helping me create GBD; we couldn’t have had a better informed consultant editor, whose industry-wide knowledge is second to none, and we hope to support GolfBusinessNews.Com going forwards.
“Finally, I would like to thank everyone and particularly every company who has supported GBD as a title. A number of brands have been wonderful supporters of the magazine. They really took a leap of faith with us, and we valued their input. We would, of course, also like to thank all the readers who made GBD an exciting magazine to produce.”
Ben Evans can be reached via benevansgolf@yahoo.co.uk