National Club Golfer (NCG), Lady Golfer (LG) and nationalclubgolfer.com are now under the ownership of current editor Dan Murphy, former recruitment company director Tom Irwin and former PwC corporate financier Will Shucksmith after a buy-out in August 2012.
The new board will now work to increase readership for both titles, develop the already successful website and continue to deliver up-to-date, accurate and informative news and features to golf club members across the country.
The two monthly titles and the website are produced by publishing company Sports Publications, currently based in Cleckheaton,West Yorkshire, which was acquired by Peter Burgess in 2000.
Mr Murphy, Mr Irwin and Mr Shucksmith have worked with Mr Burgess to complete the vendor-funded buy-out and secure the future development of Sports Publications. Mr Burgess will remain as a minority shareholder.
Plans include the development of www.nationalclubgolfer.com into a one-stop shop for the golfing community; the creation of NCG and LG branded academies and awards; and increasing the number of magazines delivered to British golf clubs.
The company is about to relocate to improved premises based close to the north Leeds golf courses and its current equipment testing venue, Moor Allerton Golf Club.
Mr Murphy has edited both titles for the last five years and has been instrumental in creating the professional look of the A4 glossy magazines, which are distributed to more than 2,300 golf clubs across Great Britain each month.
He has also overseen the development of the website, which now has 30,000 registered users, and of social media, with over 5,000 Twitter followers.
Mr Murphy said: “We plan to build on the name and reputation we have established in the golf industry over the past 10 years.
“We will continue to be loyal to our core market – members of the golf clubs ofGreat Britain. They trust us to provide an informed and independent read each month.
“I believe Tom and Will bring new skills that will be an ideal complement to what the business already has.”
Mr Murphy thanked the current members of staff for their hard work in getting the business to where it is today and extended his gratitude to Mr Burgess.
“Pete and I have worked together closely for the last five years and we wouldn’t be here today without his ongoing support,” he said.
National Club Golfer at www.nationalclubgolfer.com