Excellent news greeted members of the Golf Consultants Association at their recent annual meeting: two overseas golf developers have engaged GCA members en-bloc for all the combined expertise required in their new projects – one in Europe, the other in the Caribbean.
The golf development service sector has had a somewhat chequered history but change is in the air. The early success of the GCA indicates renewed confidence in British golf expertise. At a time when new UK golf development has slumped there has been a surge of interest in attracting golf tourism by hitherto non-golfing destinations. This has generated negotiations between the Golf Consultants and two more countries – in South America and in the Mediterranean region.
Meanwhile in the UK the GCA’s stand at the GolfExpo/Clubhouse 2000 exhibition attracted considerable enthusiasm for services, networking and membership. The GCA’s collective track record and “one-stop-shop” service provides a unique selling point. Their Association may be relatively newly-formed but the members combine to offer a wealth of experience. Their aggregate service to clients stands at an astonishing total of 275 years (mean of 16). Between them they have carried out 2,138 assignments at a mean per member of 126: an unmatched achievement! This continues to attract prospective clients and aspiring applicants for membership.
It was agreed at the annual meeting that Bryan Griffiths will continue as chairman for a further year. Bryan will be supported by John Ashworth, Ian Bulleid and Russell Bragg who will form a council responsible for the overall management of the Association, while administrative services are provided by Jacqui Baldwin who can be contacted on 024 76414999
Golf Consultants Association gca@sportslife.org.uk