GMé | issuu 1

first

issue

GolfGolfManagementE u r o p e

David Begg has retiredafter 15 years as the Open

Championship’s press officer- but he has no intention of

putting his feet up

BEGG TO DIFFER

SEPTEMBER 1997£2.50 25FFR 7.5DM 625PTAS

VALDERRAMA Leading the Way?

VALDERRAMA

The definitive business magazine for the European golfing industry

EDITORJohn VinicombeEXECUTIVE EDITORAlister MarshallFEATURES EDITORAndy FordNEWS EDITORDavid BowersSTAFF WRITERSColin Cameron, Peter Simm Pat Symes, Duncan Wright

PUBLISHERMichael LenihanPUBLISHING EXECUTIVEAngus DayADMINISTRATIONSharon O’ConnellPRINT & REPROColourspeed, SegensworthACKNOWLEDGMENTSJim Sykes,Golf Associations ofPhiladelphia, USAGOLF MANAGEMENT EUROPEIS PUBLISHED BI-MONTHLY BYPORTMAN PUBLISHING &COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED

GOLF MANAGEMENT EUROPEPO BOX 76, WATERLOOVILLEHAMPSHIRE PO7 8TTUNITED KINGDOM

TELEPHONE(01705) 425000INTERNATIONAL+44 1705 425000FACSIMILE(01705) 426060INTERNATIONAL+44 1705 426060EMAILPORTMAN @ DIAL.PIPEX.COM

ISSN1368-7727

SUBSCRIPTIONSUK (6 issues) £15Europe (6 issues) £30Rest of World (6 issues) £40BACK ISSUES/SINGLE COPIESUK & Europe £4Rest of World £7

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATIONMAY BE REPRODUCED ORTRANSMITTED IN ANY FORMWITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSIONFROM THE PUBLISHER.WHILE DUE CARE IS TAKEN TOENSURE THAT THE CONTENT OF

GOLF MANAGEMENT EUROPEIS ACCURATE, THE PUBLISHERCANNOT ACCEPT LIABILITYFOR ERRORS AND OMISSIONS. CONTRIBUTORS OPINIONS MAYNOT NECESSARILY REFLECTTHOSE HELD BY THE PUBLISHER.

' PORTMAN PUBLISHING & COMMUNICATIONS LTD 1997

GolfGolfManagementE u r o p e

SEPTEMBER 1997 ! GOLF MANAGEMENT EUROPE 3

ContentsContentsGOLF MANAGEMENT EUROPE

Under threatIs the club pro at risk

from the enormousbuying power of the

American discountstores?

Page 8

SEPTEMBER 1997Issue One

A warm welcome to the first edition of‘Golf Management Europe’, the new

independent business magazine for theEuropean golfing industry

Full story on page 6

inside

GolfGolfManagementE u ro p e

David BeggAlister Marshall

profiles the man whohas recently retiredafter organising the

Open Championshipfor the past 15 years

Page 14

Old ThornsOur featured club

this issue is theJapanese-owned

Kosaido Old Thorns GC

Page 23

ValderramaIs Valderrama a

one-off, or should the Ryder Cup

return to mainlandEurope in future

years?

Page 27

4 GOLF MANAGEMENT EUROPE ! SEPTEMBER 1997

newsnewsAutumn sees the publication of the

most wide-ranging survey ever to beproduced on the future of the sport ofgolf.

The good news is that it is likely topredict a successful decade ahead - thedown side is that the survey willpinpoint specific problems whichexperts believe will need to beaddressed if the future of the sport isto be secured.

Golf Futures, a report from theHenley Centre - one of the world’sforemost economic forecasting organi-sations - is being produced in associa-tion with EMAP Pursuit, publishers ofa number of golf magazines.

The groundbreaking study will beessential reading for everyone in thegolf industry and is unique in that itlooks forward to the millenium ratherthan back in time as many of itspredecessors have done.

A spokesman for the HenleyCentre confirmed: “It is quite simplythe widest ranging report on golf everproduced. We haven’t just looked atgolf, we’ve looked at the way theindustry will react within the widereconomy.

“We have looked at how changesin income and employment will affectthe golf market. If there is a hike ininterest rates how this will affect theyounger end of the market and againwe’ve looked at how a rise in interestrates would affect the seniors end ofthe market.”

The survey is likely to containmany dramatic conclusions and it mayeven ruffle a few feathers - but it willhelp administrators and managers planand structure their business in line withthe changing face of golf over the nextten years.

It includes a new survey of golfers,of non-golfers and of companies with-in the golf industry.

Golf Futures predicts how partici-pation will segment between men andwomen and between juniors andseniors.

The wide-ranging survey also indi-cates what the total of the golf marketis envisaged to be and how it willdivide between sectors such as equip-ment, clothing, course development,tuition and corporate golf.

Golf Futures is published onOctober 1.

The future of golf begins here

PGA National golf week was �a success�

The first PGA National Golf Week staged earlier this year, has been hailed asa success by the organisers. Some clubs, however, have expressed disap-pointment with the support the project received in the national media.

Such criticisms were swiftly refuted by the PGA commercial director MikeGrey who pointed out the event had been featured on Sky, BBC and ITV.

He said: “We don’t claim to have got it all right and we will look at the way itwent and make any changes needed but our feedback is that it has been a greatsuccess.”

Callaway winslegal battlesby David Bowers

Callaway Golf Company hasemerged victorious from litiga-tion against companies selling

counterfeit and other illegal copies ofthe company’s clubs in Sweden andthe US.

Stockholm City Court has issued anorder preventing Swedish sports retail-er Sportz & Golf, from advertising orselling illegal counterfeits and knock-offs of Callaway Golf’s patented andtrademarked Big Bertha line of golfclubs.

The win followed on the heels of asimilar victory in the US courts againsta Florida-based mail-order company,Professional Edge Golf.

An order was issued in July findingProfessional Edge violated an injunc-tion entered late last year by offeringfor sale, and selling, clubheads whichhad a soleplate confusingly similar tothe patented and trademarked WarBird soleplate used on Callaway’s BigBertha, War Bird, Great Big BerthaMetal Woods and its Biggest BerthaDrivers.

Callaway has also announced it hassettled a dispute with Eden Safari Golf,a Taiwanese golf equipment whole-saler. In addition to compensating theAmerican company $10,000, the set-tlement requires Eden Safari to publiclyapologise to Callaway in an advertise-ment and agree never again to infringeits intellectual property rights.

“We hope we are sending a clearmessage to knock-off manufacturersand to those people who think they canmake a quick buck or a fast krona,” saidDonald H. Dye (below), president andchief executive officer of Callaway Golf.

“Golfers expect that when they buydistinctive Callaway Golf products,they are getting Callaway Golf quality

and not a cheap imita-tion. Efforts like thishelp ensure that is thecase. We hope thatwe are sending a clear

message to counter-feiters that thereis no profit intrying to copyCallaway Golfproducts.” heconcluded.

Purpose-built ultrasonicclub cleaner SonicShothas been endorsed bythe David Leadbetter

Golf Academy. The unit enables golfersto clean a complete set

of clubs - heads andgrips - in around two

minutes. SonicShot canbe provided by clubs as

a free service or as anincome-producer.

R.J. & J. CAMPEY are basedat Marton, nearMacclesfield and are ableto carry out golf coursemaintenance using the latest machinery. We run a fleet of Vertidrains, CharterhouseOverseeders which bury the seed below the

surface, and Bredall andUltra Plant Sand Spreaders.We are also able to supplynew and reconditionedgrasscutting and turfmaintenance machinery.


The National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, hosts EuroGolf - the largest tradeexhibition in Europe - from October 8 - 10, but not everyone will be there.

Mizuno has pulled out claiming the exhibition “no longer suits what the companyis trying to achieve.” The Japanese giants may have pulled out, but around 300

companies remain.

EUROGOLF �97 - THE SHOW GOES ON

BRITISH INSTITUTE OF GOLF COURSE ARCHITECTS

Swan Golf Designs LimitedTelfords Barn, Willingale,

Ongar, Essex CM5 0QF, England

Phone: 01277 896229 Fax: 01277 896300E-Mail: [email protected]

Howard Swan M.ScNigel Henbury B.A., Dip.Arch.

Golf Course Architects

member of the

For further details contact:Richard Campey

Tel: +44 (0)1260 224568 Fax: +44 (0)1260 224791Marton, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 9HG

Richard Campey

An innovative course design byDonald Steel allows a newnine-hole course at Skibo

Castle, in Scotland, to be played eitheras a par-three or as a challenging par-35 course.

The Parkland Course will be readyfor play in the summer of 1998, andthe chairman and founder of SkiboCastle’s Carnegie Club Peter deSavary, officially broke the ground forthe new course back in May.

The ceremony also included theplanting of a tree by member MurrayKoffler (right) - one of the founders ofthe international Four Seasons hotelchain - and his wife Marvelle.

De Savary said: “With its innova-tive layout, Skibo’s unique Parklandcourse will provide the ideal comple-ment to our legendary championshipCarnegie Links - arguably the mostchallenging course in Scotland.”

Emma Brook, pro for the CarnegieClub added: “We thought it would beuseful to have a shorter course formembers who did not fancy a com-plete 18 holes.

“There are days when the CarnegieCourse is a little too much for someplayers - even the very best - and thenew Parkland nine has been designedfor a little light relief.”

The 18-hole Carnegie Links, con-structed in 1995 was voted the bestnew course in Britain by Golf World,and both projects have been managedby Pierson Project Management Ltd.

The course can be played either asa 1,545 yard par-three, or a sportymixture of par threes, fours and fives.

The Carnegie Club and Pierson areworking in tandem again in Leicester-shire where they are constructing anew golf academy at Stapleford Park,near Melton Mowbray.

New Parkland Course for Carnegie Club

Shah increasesportfolio

Former Today newspaper prop-rietor Eddie Shah has increasedhis golf course ownership by

acquiring Norfolk club Reymerstonfor £900,000 from the club’s officialreceivers.

Situated near Norwich, Reymers-ton was only opened in 1993 andboasts a 6,603 yard 18-hole course,together with a 9-hole pitch and putt.

Shah’s company, MessengerLeisure Ltd also owns the EssexG&CC in Colchester and the SuffolkG&CC in Bury St Edmunds.

Badgemore Parksold

William Hillary Leisure & Hotelshas sold Badgemore Park to PremierGolf Developments Ltd.

Situated in Henley-on-Thames, theclub, which was founded in 1972,exchanged hands for just under the£2.5 million asking price.

Comment


CommentLEAD EDITORIAL

Awarm welcome to Golf ManagementEurope, the first truly independent businessmagazine specifically targeted to cater for theincreasing demands faced by the pan-

European golfing industry. Launched amid interesting and challenging times

within the golf fraternity, Golf Management Europewill offer a new dimension never attained within theplethora of existing golf trade journals.

As specialists in sports publishing, and founderpublishers of Football Management - the UK’s leadingbusiness journal for the football industry - we believethat we have the knowledge and expertise necessary toadapt our marketing and commercial know-how to theever demanding golf sector.

We are under no illusion as to the magnitude of thetask ahead, but feel that given time, we can become anintegral and beneficial part of the commercial revolu-tion that the game is currently experiencing.

Sport is business - big business at that, - and golf isno less affected by this statement than any other main-stream sport.

As with the majority of most sports within ourcontinent, golf needs to advance and evolve in-keepingwith the public’s needs and aspirations, and we hopethat Golf Management Europe will help in this on-going development.

Concentrating on all aspects of golf administration,Golf Management Europe will offer a balanced andin-depth look at news and business aspects pertinent togolf club management.

Over the past 18 months, we have worked closelywith numerous members of the commercial sector andindeed golf clubs throughout Europe to ascertain yourneeds and requirements. We feel confident that wehave achieved our initial objective.

In conclusion, we would like to thank everyone whohas worked so strenuously to help produce this inau-gural edition of Golf Management Europe.

Without your co-opera-tion, now or in the future,this magazine would not bepossible.

Teeing-off towarda new millennium Soyez les bienvenus!

Un accueil chaleurex à Golf Management Europe, la premièrepublication commerciale vraiment indépendante, specifiquent dirigéepour s’adresser à l’industrie de golf pan-européenne.

Lancée pendant une époque intéressante et stimulate à l’intérieurde la confrérie du golf, Golf Management Europe offrira unenouvelle dimension, jusqu’à présent jamais atteinte dans la pléthoredes revues existantes traitant le commerce du golf.

Comme des spécialistes en publications sportives, et étant leséditeurs fondateurs de Football Management - la revue principale enGrande Bretagne traitant le commerce du football - nous croyons quenous possédons les connaissances et l’expertise nécessaire pour pouvoiradapter notre savoir en marketing et commerce au secteur du golf.

Nous n’avons aucune illusion quant à l’ ampleur de la tâche à venir,et quoique nous publierons seulement en anglais, nous croyons que,en temps voulu, nous pourrons devenir une partie intégrante de larévolution commerciale que le jeu connaît actuellement.

En concentrant sur tous les aspects de l’administration du golf,Golf Management Europe offrira une vue mesurée et profonde surles actualités et les aspects commerciaux pertinents à la gestion desclubs de golf. Nous espérons que la revue deviendra une source ines-timable d’information pendant l’année prochaine.

Willkommen!Ein herzliches Willkommen an Golf Management Europe, die

erste wirklich unabhängige Geschäftszeitschrift auf die paneuopäis-che Golfindustrie ausdrücklich ausgerichtet.

Zu einer interessanten und belebenden Zeit für Golfspieler heraus-gegeben, Golf Management Europe wird eine neue Dimensionanbieten, die innerhalb der großen Menge von existierendenGolfgeschäftszeitschriften niemals erreicht worden ist.

Als Spezialisten in Sportzeitschriften and Gründerverleger vonFootball Management - die Hauptgeschäftszeitschrift für dieFuBballindustrie in Großbritannien - wir glauben, daß wir die Kennt-nisse und den notwendigen Sachverstand haben, um unseres Wissenin Marketing und Geschäftssachen dem Golfsektor anzupassen.

Wir machen uns keine Illusionen über den Umfang der bevorste-henden Aufgabe, und, obgleich wir nur auf englisch herausbringenwerden, wir glauben, daß, wir mit der Zeit ein integrales Teil derGeschäftsrevolution werden können, die das Spiel zur Zeit durchmacht.

Indem sie auf alle Aspekte der Golfverwaltung konzentriert, GolfManagement Europe wird einen ausgeglichenen und gründlichenUberblick über Nachrichten und Geschäftsaspeckte anbieten, dieGolfklubmanagement betreffen. Wir hoffen daß, während des näch-sten Jahres, die Zeitschrift eine unschätzbare Quelle vonInformationen sein wird.

¡Bienvenidos!Una calurosa bienvendia a Golf Management Europe, la primera

revista comercial realmente independiente, especificamente dirigidapara agradar la industría paneuropea del golf.

Lanzada durante una época interesante y estimulante dentro de lacofradía del golf, Golf Management Europe ofrecerá una nuevadimensión, hasta ahora nunca alcanzada, dentro de la plétora derevistas actuales tratando el comercio del golf.

Como especialistas en publicaciónes deportivas y editoresfundadores de Football Management - la principal revista comercialpara la industría del fútbol en Gran Bretaña - creemos que tenemoslos conocimientos y competencia necesarios para adaptar nuestrosaber de los mercados y del comercio al sector del golf.

No hemos ilusiónes con respecto a la magnitud de la tarea yaunque publicaremos solamente en inglés, sentimos que, con el tiem-po, podremos llegar a ser una parte integrante de la revolucióncomercial que el juego de golf conocze actualmente.

Golf Management Europe se concentrará en todoslos aspectosde la adminstration de los clubs de golf y ofrecerá una vista equilibri-da y profunda sobre las actualidades y los aspectos comerciales refer-entes a la gestión de los clubs de golf. Esperamos que la revista sevolverá una fuente inestimable de información durante el próximo año.


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Telephone (01202) 822372 Evenings (01425) 475584 Facsimile (01202) 826447

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Just what does the long termfuture hold for Britain�s clubprofessionals?A strictly limited role, if the think-

ing at one club in the South East ofEngland becomes a widely acceptedguideline.

Members of the committee, whichmust at this stage remain unnamedfor legal reasons, circulated a privateand confidential letter to all at theclub giving details of a fundamentalreview of the position of the profes-sional.

The proposition was, in short, todispense with his services as fromJanuary, 1998 and the club wouldtake over the running of the shop fora trial period.

As the letter was displayed on theclub notice board the contents hardlyremained confidential and it was nosurprise when the professionalcontacted the PGA with a view tochecking his position and taking legaladvice.

The letter also contained amessage of considerable importancefor all club professionals...

This has not been agreed, and anysuch decision will only be taken afterfull consultation with the members.

But before such a sounding couldbe taken, a second letter was postedin the clubhouse following protestsfrom members at what they saw as ahigh handed decision.

And again I quote from theletter...

�it is fair to say that there has beena negative reaction to the noticefrom a number of members. Itseemed to them that a major policydecision had been taken without anyconsultation, and that the committeehad apparently acted in an unreason-able and heartless way.

�Because of this reaction, thecommittee have decided thatmembers must now be given the fullfacts leading to the decision to postthe original notice.�

However, there is no explanationfor considering a radical policychange of dispensing with the servicesof a professional.

The private club in question,which has at least 700 members, isperfectly entitled to run its affairswithout let or hinderance.

And it is only since the arrival ofAmerican Golf Discount in the areathat the committee has started to lookat the role of the club professional.

They concluded that a largenumber of members were buying atEurope�s top golf retailer and notpatronising the club pro. And notonly was golf equipment involved;clothing was cheaper at M&S whichis not far from American GolfDiscount.

The rapid growth of cut-pricestores and High Street outlets is nowsqueezing the club professionalmighty hard, but this is the first casecoming to our attention of a club,and not the pro concerned, embark-ing on such a drastic course of action.

Powerful businesses like AmericanGolf Discount and Nevada Bob�s thelargest chain of discount golf stores inthe world, are agreed that the marketis big enough for both of them.

And neither organisation has anywish to see the club professionaldisappear from his traditional shop.

But they both feel that his place inthe future should be on the teachingrange.

Michael Green, marketing directorof American Golf Discount, acknowl-edged that the club pro has beenplaced in a difficult position by theproliferation of companies such as hiswith enormous buying power.

�It is hard for the pro as he has tobe a combination of all things; retailer,teacher and marketing man.

Case Study


Case StudyTHE CLUB PROFESSIONAL

it was resolved

to tell members that

the club intended

to dispense with

the services of a

professional

altogether”

“

Ian Woosnam at American Golf Discount - will these discount stores finally put the club shop out of business?

Is the club prounder threat?

JOHN VINICOMBEeditor

�We see our role to provide a fullrange of products to all levels ofgolfers at competitive prices. Theclub pro cannot match the range ofproducts we can offer and that is afact.�

American Golf Discount has 30outlets in the UK after starting 15years ago in Warrington. Accordingto Green there will be 60 stores witha predicted turnover of £50 millionin the next two years.

�We are trying to maximise ourmarket share and are by no meanscomplacent. We want to make sureevery golfer is really spoilt.

�We are not fighting the club pro.On the contrary, we feel competitionis good for him as it is for us. We allhave to work together to build thegame of golf.

�I can understand the pressure onthe club pro, but if there are moreyoung people coming into golf, thensurely he will benefit. Young peopleare taking up the game indroves and ladies as well.

�We are trying tomake the game moreaccessible to everyone andwant people to go to theirpro and receive coaching.It is in that area that theclub pro can really comeinto his own,� said Green.

And he added: �Nowwe have the Tiger Factorand Justin Leonardwinning the Open - that�swhat was needed. Withgolf enjoying such atremendous impetus, the club proshould be busy every minute withcoaching and looking to be more pro-active in winter.

�We are passionate about thegame. Last year we supported theBBC Big Bash at the NEC and therewere 10,000 kids on the stands withPGA professionals.�

It may come as a surprise thatAmerican Golf Discount has nothingto do with the United States. A localpro, Robert Bilton, started the firmwith his brother Howard inWarrington and it has never lookedback.

�They recognised the market wasmoving in a new direction so theystarted up the business and broughtin people like Tony Norton, ex-IBM,to be managing director, and anotherexperienced business man, Alister

Cook, who is in charge of finance,and myself as sales director.�

Michael Green, 31, ex-WilsonSporting Goods UK managing direc-tor, has worked for other blue chipretailers including Marks and Spencerand Haagen-Dazs. Phil Smith, fran-chise director of Nevada Bob�s, saidhis company and American Discount,�survive very nicely.�

He thought small High Street golfshops are having as tough a time asthe club professionals and agreedwith Michael Green that there hadbeen a tremendous upsurge inbusiness since Tiger Woodsburst upon the scene.

Nevada Bob�s has 350outlets throughout the worldwith 24 in the UK and is awholly American ownedcompany that started in 1974.

It was Bob Elton, an ordi-nary American club pro whosaw the way the future was

going and quit his job and movedinto retailing. Now there are sevenoutlets in continental Europe andeverywhere the electronic tills arebuzzing.

�Business is unbelievable,� saidPhil Smith. �Our performances arevery strong. We began this year with21 stores and will probably finish inthe UK with an excess of 35. Wecould even get to 40. We have a UKtarget of 60-plus in the next threeyears.

�Our advantage over the club prois size of unit and the ability to offer amuch bigger product range plus, ofcourse, a second to none buyingpower.

�The club pro wasn�t brought intothe world to be a retailer. His jobinvolves so many other things, butour full time job is to sell golf.�

Nevada Bob�s have afull time UK staff of200, some of whomare golf professionalsand American GolfDiscount also employpros in their storenets.

Ever since the pro-fessionals were con-fronted with massivecommercial competi-tion their slogan has

been, �Those who knowbuy from their pro.�

There are nearly 6,000members of the PGA, andMike Gray, commercialdirector at The Belfry,flew the flag with a flour-ish.

�The golf pro is a serviceindustry, and to be a pro isto be a member of a pro-fession, entrance to whichmeans a three years mini-mum training programme.

�We have just completed an 18months training and educationprogramme addressed to the chal-lenge of the commercial market anddealing specifically in retailing andmerchandising.

�In the retail world, competitionis always there and our members canbe competitive given the chance. Justbecause a member doesn�t have theluxury of space doesn�t mean hecannot sell at a price which you mightfind in the High Street.

�I wouldn�t say the club pro livesin fear of the discount store. After all,he can offer teaching and advicewhich is second to none and that isjust part of his daily round.�


Case StudyCase StudyTHE CLUB PROFESSIONAL

I wouldn’t say

the club pro lives

in fear of the

discount store”“

Staff at American Golf Discount

Michael Green, American Golf Discount

news


Golf Courtsrevolution

Four holes, but 18 tees. That is thesecret of the Golf Court, aconcept that is gaining in popu-

larity and which many believe may bethe future of golf.

Almost ten years ago systemsdesigner Farel Bradbury suffered astroke which left him temporarilydisabled and golf was recommended asa means of restoring the use of hisright arm. He became hooked andusing his professional skills hedesigned a four-green, eight-tee,3,000-yard par-60 Golf Court on justsix acres of land.

He now calculates that a 6,500-yard, par-72 Golf Court can be creat-ed on just 15 acres.

Each Golf Court can accommodatethree simultaneous matches of two,three or four balls. This means thatgolf can now be played in areas wherepreviously it was not feasible - on plotsof land from six to 15 acres.

Each hole is different and varies inperspective and length, and like atennis court, play is booked by thehour. The golfer has the flexibility ofplaying six holes in one hour, 12 intwo hours, or a full 18 in three hours.

It is also claimed that because ofthe course’s compact nature it is prac-tical and economically viable to flood-light the court, allowing 24-hour play.

The court would seem to be idealfor areas where land is at a premium,and not surprisingly interest from theAsia and the Middle East - the designuses just five per cent of normal water-ing needs - is intense.

Hotel chains have also expressedinterest and the concept is also feasi-ble for private homes, and even

schools.One person who hashad a Golf Court builtin her garden is LauraDavies. She said: “AGolf Court allows you

to squeeze in around of golf inan hour, insteadof the four orfive hours itnormally takesfor a full round.That’s a bigplus for busypeople.”

The secretary of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club, Michael Bonallack, wasawarded the Arnold Palmer Lifetime Service Award in Philadelphia in June.

Bonallack was an outstanding amateur golfer, winning the AmateurChampionship five times, and was awarded the OBE for his services to the sportin 1971, 12 years before he became secretary of the R&A.

The award was instigated at the centenary of the Golf Association ofPhiladelphia in November, when Arnold Palmer, the guest of honour at the cele-brations, agreed to allow his name to be put to a new award for people who hadmade a substantial contribution over many years to the amateur game.

Former R&A captain Bill Campbell was the first recipient, and Bonallack andJudy Bell, president of the USPGA received their awards at a ceremony atMerion GC, Philadelphia, earlier this year.

Palmer was not present at the ceremony but contacted the association to saythat he could not think of two more worthy recipients.

news

BONALLACK RECEIVES LIFETIME SERVICE AWARD

After six years of planning anddevelopment, Redlibbets GCopened recently with an exhi-

bition match hosted by associate tourprofessional, Jamie Spence.

Three hundred spectators lookedon as Spence - who was partnered bySouth African Wayne Westner (right) -teed of the inaugural ball to celebratethe club’s official opening.

Impressed by the course, formerAustrian Open winner Westnercommented afterwards: “The layout ofthe course is tremendous.

“I love the contrast of highplateaux and sheltered valleys. With alittle adjustment, Redlibbets wouldmake an excellent championshipcourse.”

Redlibbets GC is based betweenFawkham and Longfield in Kent, andthe 6,619 par 72 course was design-ed by Jonathan Gaunt.

Explosive action at Redlibbets


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Ron Noades’ new Happy ValleyGolf Course, at Chaldon, nearCaterham, is rapidly taking shape andif everything goes to plan it will beseeded next month (October).

The 6,900 yard par 72 course isdue for completion in September1998 and the designer and contractorare pleased with the progress.

Lionel Whitnell of WhitnellContractors explained: “I believe thecourse will be very high profile, and Iwould imagine it will be on TV withinthree or four years. He’s even havingtelephones on every tee!”

The site was owned by comedianJimmy Tarbuck, who is of courserenowned for his golf addiction, but hesold it to Noades who wasted very littletime in getting things moving.

David Williams Golf Design provid-ed the ideas and Whitnell’s companymoved in at top speed to makeNoades and Williams’ ideas a reality.

Whitnell’s reputation had beenestablished following a series ofsuccessful course constructions in thesouth, including Reigate Hill, ManningsHeath, and the prestigious MerristWood near Guildford, which has beenselected as the home of the BritishAssociation of Golf Course Architects.

David Williams’ involvement in theproject goes back almost ten years towhen he was part of the originaldesign team which gained initial plan-ning consent in the early 1990s.

He has been anxiously awaiting theday when the plans for the coursecould be brought to fruition. And nowthat time has arrived he is delightedwith what is spreading out in front ofhim.

He said: “The site is one of thebest, if not the best, site for an 18-holecourse that I have had the pleasure towork on in almost 20 years of golfcourse design.

“It is a magnificent mature land-scape, with two valleys converging atthe northern end of the site.”

Williams’ analysis indicates there isonly really one uphill shot on thecourse - a short pitch second shot tothe 350-yard, par four 11th.

“Although the site contains maturevalleys, almost all the holes are playedon the level. There are a number ofdownhill shots, particularly off the tee,where the complete hole is laid outbefore the golfer on the tee.

“In particular, the views of the parfive fifth, the short par-four sixth, thelong par-four ninth, the bunkerlesspar-four 15th, and the closing par-four18th will be memorable.”

Water comes into play on just threeholes - the ninth, 12th and 14th -coming at a time when, Williamclaims, the golfer is confident of hisability and has a reasonable indicationof how well he is striking the ball.

The site is well-drained, located asit is on chalk, but an additionalcomprehensive draining system hasbeen installed to drain all fairways,bunkers, tees and greens, to ensurethat water is shed quickly from theplaying surface.

news


newsRudding Park GC celebrated its

second anniversary with theopening of a 50-bedroom, four-

star hotel on site.The 6,871-yard, par-72 course in

Harrogate, designed by Martin Hawtree,has already established a fine reputa-tion for itself not only with participat-ing golfers but within the industry itself.

The course is the current holder ofthe Amazone Golf Environment Award- presented to the club that does mostto encourage a harmonious relation-ship between its course and the ecolo-gy of the surrounding environment.

Now it is looking to meet the needsof the human market as it moves intothe world of banqueting and residentialconferences. The proprietors haveinvested around £3m in the construc-tion of the three-storey hotel, built ofAshlar limestone.

Managing director Simon Mack-aness explained: “We have long real-ised that the development of qualityaccommodation was the vital nextingredient in the continuing success ofRudding Park.

“The hotel is further evidence of ourcommitment to make Rudding Houseone of the finest conference, banquet-ing and golf resorts in the North.

“Some have claimed thispicturesque setting is as much a naturereserve as it is a golf course with theproliferation of wildlife, meadows,lakes and woodland.

“The course however, presents achallenging test of skill for golfers of allcalibres and our facilities include acomprehensive golf academy and avariety of teaching programmes.”

Hotel set forBright Future

Callaway acquires Odyssey Putters

The manufacturer of the most popular putter on the Senior PGA and LadiesPGA tours has been acquired by Callaway.Odyssey Sports Inc, which manu-factures the Odyssey line of putters with Stronomic face inserts, has been

bought by Callaway Golf Company for a cash purchase price of $130m from USIndustries Inc.

The deal - originally announced in July - was completed mid-August, and RonDrapeau has been selected as president of newly-formed Odyssey Golf.

Baron Systems will be announc-ing some exciting new developmentsat Eurogolf’97 next month.

The Leeds-based company willbe adding Windows® compatibilityand Internet access to their existinggolf club management system allow-ing members to make bookings directfrom either their home or club.

Also, new is the thermal tee timeticket printer providing a muchquicker production of bag tags.

Baron announcenew developments

Happy Valley starting to take shape


Cleveland Golf’s 1997 order book for its wedges has already exceeded the totalshipments for 1996. Orders taken during a one-week period in June surpassed allprevious sales in the same period. The company is also delighted to hear that the

PGA Tour Darrell survey has shown the Cleveland Sand and Lob wedges havemaintained the number one spot and the margin is increasing over its closest rival.

THICK END OF THE WEDGE

Six membersjoin BIGCA

The British Institute of GolfCourse Architects (BIGCA)recently announced that it has

invited six new associates to join itsmembership.

Among the new members invitedto join are Paddy Merrigan fromIreland, Thomas Himmel fromGermany and three Englishmen;Jonathan Gaunt, Steven McFarlaneand Tom Mackenzie.

At the same time, BIGCA alsoinvited Nigel Henbury, assistant atSwan Golf Designs Ltd to join as anassociate.

The institute also confirmed thatpresident Martin Hawtree is set tocontinue in the position for a furtheryear, with Simon Gidman continuingto deputise as vice-chairman.

Details of a professional diploma ingolf course design which is believed tobe the first of its kind anywhere in theworld were announced recently at theinstitutes AGM held at Wentworth.

Ocmis Irrigation are pleased to beassociated with Whitnell

Contractors Ltd.

Designers and Installers of the Twin Row Full Fairway IrrigationSystem at Happy Valley Golf Club

Ocmis IrrigationDesign, Supply and Installation of

Irrigation Systems throughoutEurope

Tel : +44 1460 241939Fax: +44 1460 242198

AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP RETURNS TO ROYAL LIVERPOOLThe R&A has announced that in 2000 the Amateur Championship will return

to Royal Liverpool, the club which hosted the first tournament in 1895. The following year, 2001, it moves on to Prestwick (above) for the first time in

14 years to celebrate the club’s 150th anniversary. Other venues to host majorevents include Portmarnock, and Royal Troon where the mid-amateur will beplayed for the first time on a current Open Championship venue.

The dates for the 1999 Walker Cup match at Nairn Golf Club have beenchanged to September 11 and 12 - one week later than originally announced.The alteration came after discussions between the R&A, the USGA, and theHome Unions to avoid clashing with a major cricket final and to guarantee livecoverage on the BBC.

KINGDOM

Profile


ProfileDAVID BEGG

His name, face, and the purposewhy he was there may havebeen unfamiliar to the thou-sands of golf fans who make theannual pilgrimage to the Open

Championship the highlight of the sport-ing year.

But in the ordered chaos of the mediacentre, where lap top computers spew outto the four corners of the earth, endlesscolumns describing all the drama, the joyand the heartbreak of the greatest majorchampionship of them all, David Begg hasbeen as familiar a sight as the grandeur ofthe hotel that overlooks the links atTurnberry and the old stone bridge thatcrosses the stream that bisects the 18thfairway at St Andrews.

For the last 15 years, the tall leanScotsman possessing the marvellous abilityto take everything in his stride, has beenthe Open Championship�s press officer.

His reign began in 1982 at RoyalTroon, and ended this year at the samevenue when he stepped into retirement.

During his decade-and-a-half in office,Begg has witnessed such a huge surge in

interest that the 350 press accreditationapplications that arrived in his Glasgowoffice for the 1982 championship increasedto a staggering 1,200 for this year�s cham-pionship, with one national paper request-ing no less than 16 press tickets!

To fully appreciate his role, one needsto step inside �Begg�s Kingdom� - the25,000 square feet of technology thatencompasses the media centre.

It is a mind-boggling experience. Aswell as the constantly updated 100-feetlong scoreboard, on-line computersinstantly produce such facts and figures asthe most difficult hole of the round; theeasiest hole; and the number of eagles,birdies and bogies on each hole as theround progresses. At the touch of a buttonthe answers appear on screen and in print.

Over the four days of the championshipBegg and his 10-strong team, along withthe staff of Unysis Computers, will haveproduced no less than 250,000 photo-copied bulletins ranging from in-depthplayer interviews; biographies; weatherforecasts and even a kindly reminder tothose journalists who smoke that althoughthe centre is not a non-smoking area their

Begg�sARTICLE BY

ALISTER MARSHALL

Above: David Begg watches on asSeve Ballesteros wins the 1984 Open

at St Andrews. Opposite page:Handling the media at a 1992 press

conference with Nick Faldo and arather forlorn Basil Brush!


ProfileProfileDAVID BEGG

colleagues would probably prefer it if theyenjoyed their habit outside in the sunshine- or even in the rain!

With the practised art of a conductor ofa great orchestra, Begg was in his elementwhen guiding a player who has done eitherexceptionally well or in some cases excep-tionally badly, through his after-roundpress conference, where the slightest slip ofa tongue today is guaranteed to maketomorrow�s headlines.

Watching Begg implacably steer a play-er through the question-and-answersession I have often wondered if the pressofficer ever felt like dropping his head inhis hands at some of the daftest questionsthat emanate from the journalist throng.

�Tell me (Tom, Seve, Mark or Tiger)just what did you feel like when you tookan eight at the first short hole?� Begg�sexpression never changed, although Ioftened imagined him thinking to himself:�How the hell do you think he felt youidiot?�

Ask Begg when his work on the OpenChampionship started each year and hewill answer in perfect honesty: �It neverfinished from one year to the next.�

�Basically it never does stop. As soon asone championship finished we had what Icalled our post-mortem meeting. A coupleof months or so later we were starting toconsider what media facilities we wouldrequire and where they would be situatedat the following year�s venue,� he said.

�The Open Championship is a massiveundertaking for everyone involved in it.Each year it gets bigger. As it continues togrow the more and more organisation itneeds behind it to ensure its continuedgrowth and success.

�From the media point of view it is atribute, not to myself, but to the team Ihave had with me over the last 15 years,that everything has gone so smoothlydespite the very real increased pressure thatis almost brutal in its intensity.

�Yet there is no doubt whatsoever thatI�ve enjoyed it. It has given me unforget-table memories and has created a host ofworld-wide lasting friendships.

�I�m not saying there hasn�t been theoccasional difficult moment to handle, butI can say I have enjoyed a wonderful rela-tionship with the players.

�There are some players who I havealways had a great deal of time for, whounfortunately have not always been treatedas fairly as they deserved by the media.

�That is always sad. I believe you�ve gotto know someone to really know them. Asfar as I�m concerned it�s been a great privi-

lege to have been in the position to meetand hopefully understand just what thoseplayers go through in there quest for amajor championship.

�When I left Royal Troon after thisyear�s championship finished, my greatestregret was that I had received so manygood wishes I was unable to thank every-one personally. It really has been an unfor-gettable 15 years.�

Begg whose ultra-efficient organisationof the media was as slick as a well-oiledmachine, could have gone on indefinitely.It was his decision and his alone to stepdown.

�After 15 years, I just felt the time wasopportune. Time is the key word. I was soheavily involved with the Open Champion-ship that I was at the stage that I didn�thave time for anything else.

�I needed time for other things, andtime to take up other interesting opportu-nities, and my business (David BeggSports) couldn�t run itself. I�ve enjoyed itand I�ll miss it but I just feel that 15 yearsis long enough in the job.�

Begg has no intention however of sail-ing away into the sunset of retirement.

�There�s absolutely no way I could dothat. Although my role as press officer atthe Open is finished, I have commitmentsto the PGA European Tour until thebeginning of next year. I will also coverScottish football for BBC radio. HopefullyI�ll be continuing this pursuit.�

When the time comes round for nextyear�s Open Championship at RoyalBirkdale, will he feel a sense of loss at notbeing part of it after so many long anddedicated years?

�Not really. It�s over for me now, butall those lovely memories remain. In allprobability I�ll be at Birkdale watching theChampionship. It may give me the chanceto thank a few more of the people I missedat Troon who were kind enough to wishme well.�

“The OpenChampionshipis a massiveundertakingfor everyoneinvolved in it.Each year itgets bigger”

Development


DevelopmentPGA EUROPEAN TOUR COURSES PLC

JOHN VINICOMBEeditor

One of the fastestgrowing develop-ments in the golf

industry is the expansion ofPGA European TourCourses plc that began 10years ago as Tour Prop-erties.

Last season marked the25th anniversary of the touras an organisation purelyresponsible for the playingof tournaments under thePGA banner.

It has come a long waysince John Jacobs wasappointed the first tourna-ment director general.

And, in 1988, the VolvoTour sanctioned by thePGA European Tour startedwith prize money exceeding £10m.Also that year the PGA EuropeanProperties and Tour developmentscompanies were created.

The present decade has seen asteady growth of business fromWentworth. Five years ago came theformation of PGA European TourCourses (IMG) Ltd. This jointventure company with InternationalManagement Group saw the firstPGA European Tour Course acquiredat Collingtree Park, Northampton.

Initially when Tour Propertieswas formed in 1987, its method ofachieving objectives was to joinlandowners in combined ventures toattaining planning consents for cours-es adjacent to houses and hotels.

The policy was that hotel andhousing land would be sold to raisemoney to pay for the courses and, inthe absence of bank borrowing, therewould be a far greater range of profit.

But the recession at the end of the1980s drastically reduced the value of

housing land. Although sharehold-ings in substantial developments(Caldas in Spain; Crewe andDoncaster in the UK,) had beenattained, another way was required togenerate funds to meet course build-ing costs.

This led to the creation in 1992 ofTour Courses (IMG) as a non-exclu-sive 50/50 joint venture with IMG.

Tour Courses had the same objec-tives as Tour Properties but themethod of achieving the goal wasdifferent. It took advantage of therecession by offering banks who hadlent to now bust Golf Course Dev-elopers, the chance of recoveringsome of their money. Tour Courses(IMG) received shareholdings in thepromise of exposure from Tourevents.

In 1993 Tour Courses (IMG)acquired 50% of Collingtree Park andStockley Park and expanded furtherthe following year by purchasing50% of Stockholm, the whole of

Collingtree, half of IMG�sinterest at Nippenburg inStuttgart, a marketingcontract for the LinksPortmarnock, and takingover the Tour�s interests inCaldas.At this stage, Tour and IMGhad each invested about£750,000 in Tour Courses(IMG) and established thebasis for a business thatcould make profit from theoperation of the golf courses.

It followed that Tour andIMG instructed TourCourses (IMG) managementto examine ways and meansof valuing the business andraising external capital tofinance further expansion.

In 1996, Tour Courses (IMG)merged with Union Square plc, aproperty company, and the Tour andIMG each invested further sums ofapproximately £600,000.

Union Square was renamed PGAEuropean Tour Courses plc and, atthe same time, this companypurchased Quinta do Lago and RiaFormosa courses and became fullylisted on the Stock Exchange with avalue of around £42m.

The Tour�s 19.5% shareholdingwas valued in the region of £8magainst a total investment of about£1.5m.

Since Tour Courses floatation, ithas purchased the remaining 50% ofETC Stockholm and upgraded theback nine of the South Course inreadiness for next year�s VolvoScandinavian Masters; purchased afurther 25% of Stockley Park andacquired a 50% shareholding inIbergolfe SA, a Portuguese companymanaging three courses in that coun-

PGA European Tour-

DRIVING INTO THE FUTURE

Quinta do Lago, Portugal - one of PGA’s tour courses

The organisation responsible for PGA tournaments celebrated its 25th anniversary last season. John

Vinicombe looks at PGA European Tour Courses plc


DevelopmentDevelopmentPGA EUROPEAN TOUR COURSES PLC

try, and undertaken further courseimprovements at Nippenburg, Col-lingtree and acquired TytheringtonGolf and Leisure Club in Maccles-field.

Further proof of PGA EuropeanTour Courses robust health is thatthe company has entered into anagreement with The Bedford Estatesand bought a 50% interest inWoburn Golf and Country Club Ltd.

Michael Friend, general counselfor the PGA European Tour execu-tive management, has announcedcompletion of re-construction workat the European Tour Club inStockholm and that building isproceeding apace in Barcelona.

Prestigious courses throughoutthe UK and Europe are now underthe mantle of Tour Courses. A halfinterest in Woburn, which owns andoperates the Duke�s and Duchess�courses, was acquired for a cashconsideration of up to £5,749,900.For the year ended December 31,1996, Woburn reported a profitbefore tax of £630,581 and had a netasset value of £2.3m.

The shares in Woburn wereacquired partly through an acquisi-

tion of existing ordinary shares andpartly through a subscription for newordinary shares.

As European Tour News reported:�The existing ordinary shares havebeen purchased for £750,230, ofwhich £650,230 has been paid atcompletion, and the balance of£100,000 deferred until April 15,1998.

�The balance is only payable if thecompany has been unable to obtain acommitment by March 31, 1998 thata major European tournament will beheld at Woburn during that year.�

Lord Swathling, chairman ofWoburn Golf and Country Clubgreeted the new partnershipand said he looked forward tothe magnificent facilities beingextended.

And the Marquess ofTavistock, president of Wo-burn, added: �The family hasbeen looking forward to amajor event returning toWoburn and we welcome ournew partners� investment andmanagement expertise.�

Since then Sean Kelly,managing director of PGA

European Tour Courses, has resignedand been succeeded by RichardThompson.

The change followed a differenceof opinion over policy but in no wayis the strength of PGA EuropeanTour Courses weakened.

It remains on track as one of theUK�s most successful and ambitiousleisure companies and can onlyacquire more assets going into themillennium.

The breath-taking Quinta do Lago Golf Course, Portugal

GOLF COURSE AND SPORTS FIELD MAINTENANCE AND

CONSTRUCTION

• Verti-Drain

• Sand & Gravel Slitting

• Drainage

• Overseeding

• Top Dressing

• Cultivation & Seeding

HAWTREEGOLF COURSE ARCHITECTS

Since 1912

5 OXFORD STREET, WOODSTOCK,OXFORD OX20 1TQ

TEL: (01993) 811976 FAX: (01993) 812448

British Institute of Golf Course Architects

E&SSPORTSGROUNDCONTRACTORS

Contact: Richard Veitch, 61 Chatsworth Avenue,Winnersh, Reading, Berks RG41 5EU

"" Reading ""Tel: (01189) 795454 Fax: (01189) 795353

La Manga Club


La Manga ClubADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

If I was allowed just one last wish,it would be to play the SouthCourse at La Manga.” So saidLord Deedes, a former Member of

Parliament and editor of The DailyTelegraph.

It would be fair to assume he is afairly cosmopolitan man and as suchhas an opinion to be valued.

Golf is the reason the La MangaClub Resort was originally built, andthe resort has a heritage that suits.The South Course, modified in 1992by Arnold Palmer, has been the venuefor a series of Spanish Opens andother PGA and celebrity events.

Palmer won the title himself, at the1975 La Manga Spanish Open, byshooting an eagle at the par-five 18thin dramatic fashion - an achievementthat is marked by a plaque on the18th tee.

The La MangaExperience

“

Situated in south-east Spain, La Manga is arguably one of thebest sporting complexes in Europe, if not the World. Boastingthree championship standard courses, plus tennis and football,La Manga is without doubt any golfer’s dream location.

BY DAVID BOWERS

From left to right: The five-star Hyatt Regency La Manga hotel set amid the North and South courses; The west-wing of the hotel overlooking the swimming pool; TheHyatt courtyard including Lorca’s piano bar; Los Lomas apartments situated on the resort has their own swimming facilities.


La Manga ClubLa Manga ClubADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

The course is even in the GuinnessBook of World Records after OttoBucher became the oldest man - at 99years and 244 days - ever to hit a hole-in-one. He performed the enviable featat the par-three, 110-metre 12th,where a plaque recording the feat canbe seen by the golfer on the tee.

The resort features three courses -South, West and North - and is setamid rolling hills and lush greenery,providing luxury and relaxation in addi-tion to challenging golf.

Often cited as the finest leisurefacility in Europe, the accommodationat La Manga is also second-to-none,with the magnificent five-star HyattRegency La Manga the centrepiece.

Its 192 bedrooms and superbrestaurants fully reflect its pre-eminentstatus, matched by a level of dignifiedand unparalleled service. The service iswhat really sets the hotel apart, andmakes it the perfect choice for golferswho not only want to play top-qualitycourses, but want to relax in privilegedsurroundings.

The resort provides an ideal venuefor clubs and societies to hold annualevents, or simply to visit for a break. Itis a popular venue for corporate tour-naments and is often the short-breakdestination for many of the continent’stop football clubs.

The region enjoys a superbMediterranean climate with over 320days of sunshine a year.

The West Course - previouslyknown as La Princesa - has recentlyundergone a remodelling programmeto make the course more forgivingthan in previous years.

Many parts of the course have anAmerican-style layout and there are anumber of ‘barrancas’ cutting throughthe course as it swings down a valley.The need for accurate driving is para-mount, and smaller, undulating greenscreate quite different tests for thegolfer than either the North or SouthCourses.

The recent work on the course hastaken place on the back nine holes inparticular. The fairways and semi-rough have been replanted with ahighly acclaimed variety of Bermudagrass, and some of the bunkers havebeen removed or repositioned to makethe course more strategically sound.

All three of La Manga ClubResort’s courses are situated withinclose proximity of the clubhouse, andwith the West Course now fully opera-

tional, the resort offers golfers adiverse and truly unique golfing experi-ence.

The resort’s managing directorTony Coles first visited in 1986, andhe was a devotee before he becameinvolved with the resort’s managementteam.

He said: “I believe La Manga ClubResort is the greatest sports andleisure resort in Europe. No othervenue can match the three diverse 18-hole championship golf courses - butthere is so much more to enjoy here.

“People come down to La MangaResort with many different objectives -some will opt for the sport, whileothers may sit in the sand an soak upthe sunshine. Whichever activities arepreferred, everyone comes here torelax and enjoy themselves, howeverold or young, whatever the time of dayor night.”

He added: “La Manga Club Resortdoes not follow the crowd - we takethe initiative. And that is why ourresort is unique.

“We pride ourselves on exceedingcustomer expectations and that is whypeople keep coming back again andagain.”

To describe La Manga Club Resortas an unrivaled sports and leisurehaven is not stretching a point too far.It radiates a glorious sense of bothenergy and tranquillity.

When a resort’s staff and guestsare genuinely contented with theirsurroundings, it tends to generate agreat sense of cordiality.

At La Manga there is a culture anda way of life that acts as a magnet -when people are there they do notwant to leave, but if they do chancesare they will return time and timeagain.

Specialists to La Manga since 1970

For further details on La Manga,and all it has to offer, contact

Barwell Leisure‘The Coach House’, Elm Road

Chessington KT9 1AW

Tel: +44 (0)181 397 4411Fax: +44 (0)181 974 1442

Open Qualifying


Open QualifyingTHE 127TH OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

lackmoor is one ofthree new coursesdesignated by theR&A as regionalqualifying venues forthe 1998 Open atRoyal Birkdale.

Hosting a regional qualifier isnothing new to Hampshire. For thelast six years the 18-hole test of nerveand skill for club professionals, topamateurs and overseas visitors hasbeen staged with tremendous successat the North Hants club near Fleet,who were every bit as surprised atlosing the prestigious event asBlackmoor were to gain it.

For both clubs the R&A�s deci-sion came like a bolt out of the blue.North Hants secretary Roy Good-liffe, was somewhat aggrieved, andnot surprisingly so, when the firstindication he had that the qualifierhad gone elsewhere was when he reada press release in a national newspa-per, while the arrival of a letter fromthe R&A to Blackmoor advisingthem that they had been selected asone of the 1998 venues was every bitas surprising to the club.

�We have really no idea why wewere selected in place of NorthHants, but obviously we are delight-ed,� said Christina.

One of the new breed of golf clubgeneral managers, the Open qualifierwill present the Blackmoor officialwith her first major challenge sinceher appointment just over a year ago.

It is a challenge she will relishwith the same enthusiasm she hasshown throughout her golfing career.

The position and the requirementsasked of a golf club secretary havechanged dramatically over the lastdecade.

For years the position appeared tobe the exclusive preserve of retiredmilitary men who brought to theirnew careers the professionalism andexpertise associated with long serviceto the crown.

Their task in the main was whattheir title said it was - golf club secre-tary - the man responsible for allaspects of the game of golf in theirrespective clubs.

As the game approaches the newmillennium, the duties of secretary/manager are far removed from whatthey used to be.

With so many of the clubs devel-oping their facilities towards theconcept of America�s golf and coun-try clubs, by building bigger andbetter clubhouses, restaurants withexceptional standards of food, andoff-course amenities to meet the mostdiscerning of their members, theduties of the secretary who has overallresponsibility for every aspect of theclub�s activities has assumed an

ALISTER MARSHALLexecutive editor

B I believeI can

speak withsome

authorityon mattersrelating tothe game ”

“Even before the 126th Open Championship at Royal Troon had started,

Christina Hayllar, the general manager of Blackmoor Golf Club in Hampshire, was looking forward with eager anticipation to the 127th.

Christina Hayllar, general manager ofBlackmoor Golf Club

An OpenInvitation


Open QualifyingOpen QualifyingTHE 127TH OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

importance far beyond the realms ofthose who occupied the positions 20years ago.

Christina Hayllar at Blackmoor isnot by any means the only woman insuch a position of authority, but atthe age of 32 she is still one of theyoungest to be entrusted with thesmooth day-to-day organisation of apremier club with a membershipof just under 700 and awaiting list stretchinginto the unforesee-able future.

She could nothave presented abetter cv whenshe applied forthe post when itbecame vacantlast year.

She joinedBlackmoor as ajunior member in1976. Seven yearslater at the age of 18 shewon the first of her twoHampshire Ladies� County GolfAssociation Championship titles.

Shortly after winning her secondcounty title in 1988, she turnedprofessional, playing for four years onthe fledgling WPGA European Tour.

Then to prepare herself for acareer in golf management she took adegree in sports science and adminis-tration.

�It is a responsibility I thor-oughly enjoy,� she said. �It hasbeen made considerably easierbecause of my background.Having joined Blackmoor as ajunior member I know everyone.This is a tremendous benefit in myrelationship with all the club offi-cials and members.

�My career as a player has alsobeen a great benefit. As a formercounty champion and touring profes-sional, I believe I can speak withsome authority on matters relating tothe game.

�It must be difficult for a clubsecretary or club manager, call it whatyou will, to get involved in what canbe heated discussions on aspects ofcourse management without theexperience of having played the gameat a reasonably high standard.�

Christina has no doubt whatsoev-er that everything that can be donewill be done to the complete satisfac-tion of the R&A to ensure that

Blackmoor is a worthy successor toNorth Hants as an Open Champion-ship regional qualifying location.

�We appreciate the importance ofthe qualifier, but it�s not as if we atBlackmoor are bracing ourselves for atournament of this stature withoutprior experience of staging presti-gious events.

�The Selborne Salver, thatstarts the amateur season

attracting many ofEngland�s top play-

ers, has been succ-essfully staged atthe course inmid-April forthe last 21 years,in additional toa succession ofleading countyevents.

�Next year we arefortunate in having

a rehearsal for thequalifying tournament by

staging the Hampshire, Isle ofWight and Channel Islands� GolfUnion Championship the previousmonth.

�There is a lot to consider. Wewill have to take a close look at car-parking arrangements and publiccatering. Those may not seem vitallyimportant issues, but they can make atremendous difference to the enjoy-ment of the occasion.�

Of the three new clubs listed asregional qualifying venues, Black-moor and Stockport are both lush,parkland courses.

County Louth, chosen as the firstIrish club to hold one of the regionaltests, is a different kettle of fish alto-gether.

It is quite a few years since I visit-ed this gem of a seaside links nearDrogheda, yet I can still recall itssudden and dramatic appearance atthe end of a winding road thatreminded me of the first time I drovethe Big Sur, and there, totally unex-pectedly was my first breathtakingglimpse of the great Pebble Beach.

Being given the status of a OpenChampionship qualifying venue is along overdue recognition of a course,full of variety and contrast withmagnificent views, whose rating inIrish golf has never been so high as Ibelieve it should have been.

A traditional links course ofhumps, hollows and intimidatingdunes, although comparativelyunknown in Britain, County Louth issteeped in Irish golf history.

Club member Clarrie Tiernan wasthe first Irish woman to play in theCurtis Cup, and it was also overCounty Louth�s impressive linkswhere that great Irishman, HarryBradshaw, who was beaten in a play-off by Bobby Locke in the 1949Open at Royal St George�s, and whoalong with Christy O�Connor wonthe World Cup for Ireland in MexicoCity in 1958, lifted the IrishProfessional Championship in 1947.

Blackmoor, Stockport and CountyLouth. What drama will enfold atthose locations come the first weekof July 1998?

The course at Blackmoor


QUALITY COURSESIGNAGE

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WOODCLASS SIGNSTel: 07000 785036


Club InsightClub InsightKOSAIDO OLD THORNS

Ken Wood, chairman ofelectrical manufacturers,Kenwood Industries, hadmore than just a dream hewanted to fulfil. He had a

burning ambition to build a golfcourse of championship quality onhis own land in the depths of ruralHampshire.

Almost 20 years on, Old ThornsGolf Course, Hotel and Restaurants,situated at Longmoor Road,Liphook, combine to provide acomplex for golf, leisure and corpo-rate facilities for the 21st century.

Now part of the giant Kosaidopublishing and printing conglomer-ate whose interest in acquiringgolf courses stretches fromHawaii, across the UnitedStates, to the United Kingdomand Continental Europe, OldThorns is one of the jewels inthe Tokyo-based company�scrown.

It was one of the first golfcourses in Englandto be Japanese-owned, but as OldThorns has devel-oped through the years it has becomemore, much more, than Ken Woodin even his wildest dreams must everhave imagined.

Set in 400 acres of glorious coun-tryside with the course enhanced bythe profusion of oaks, beeches, pinesand water features fed from naturalsprings, the complex has grown to

incorporate a luxury hotel, leisureclub including a swimming pool,fitness centre, sauna, solarium andtennis courts, while both a Europeanand Japanese restaurant serves foodof such outstanding quality that bothestablishments have been awardednot one, but two of the coveted AAred rosettes for excellence.

�For a comparatively new course,it�s an absolute gem.� That is not aquote from a glibly written publicityhandout.

It was in fact a remark made tome by each of four players of worldrenown - no less than former OpenChampions, Seve Ballesteros, JackNicklaus, Bill Rogers and Japanese

ace Isao Aoki who officiallyopened the course in anenthralling skins game in June1982, the month before Rogersdefended his Open title at Royal

Troon.The 6,533-yard, par 72 cham-pionship course winds its way

through parkland,over lakes andstreams, with sev-eral of the holes cutthrough pine

woods and heatherslopes. As it matured it has becomeone of the best to be found within aleisure complex in the south ofEngland.

The last few years has witnessed adefinite change in the clientele of OldThorns. ➧

OldThorns Described as ‘The Perfect Setting’

Old Thorns is situated in 400 acres

of stunning parkland countryside.

Originally owned by electrical

entrepreneur Ken Wood, the club is

now part of the Kosaido publishing

and printing corporation.

ARTICLE BY

ALISTER MARSHALL

Club Insight


Club InsightKOSAIDO OLD THORNS

Not surprisingly, being one of thefirst Japanese-owned courses inBritain, a large percentage of playerswho initially enjoyed its superb facili-ties were Japanese.

This is no longer the case.Marketing forces dictated that toassure a profitable enterprise, OldThorns would require to become aswell known to corporate business inBritain as to the Japanese golfer.

Success in this capacity wasassured by the strides made in attract-ing business conferences and corpo-rate golf days.

Gary Jones, the general managerof Old Thorns, has no doubt whatso-ever where present and future priori-ties lie.

�Of course it�s always gratifying tobe told so often about the excellenceof the course, but we can�t run a busi-ness of this scale by depending entire-ly upon what numbers we attract toOld Thorns throughout the period ofthe golf season.

�In Britain you are talking about aseason that usually starts at the begin-ning of April. So long as the weatherremains kind it can continue until thebeginning of October.

�That�s only seven months. Wehave to be equally profitable for theremaining five months of the yearwhen golf during balmy summer daysbecomes only a distant memory.

�Consequently it is imperative weprovide the kind of facilities peoplewant all the way through the year.

�Our leisure centre; hotel with itsvarious short break schemes; functionrooms for various private parties forweddings and anniversaries; and

comprehensive conference facilitiesfor up to 80 delegates, ensures a fullyoperational business concern through-out the entire year,� he said.

The management of Old Thornscan be compared in many ways to thecaptain and officers of a luxury cruiseliner.

To ensure the ship sails throughuntroubled waters it requires thenavigation department, the engine-room, the hotel and restaurant, andsocial amenities provided, to work intandem to the complete satisfactionof the passengers.

Old Thorns is no different as faras its clients are concerned whetherthey be golfers, diners, hotel guests orconference delegates.

It has its championship course,hotel, restaurants, leisure and confer-ence facilities. All must complimenteach other, not as the general manag-er said for seven months only, but foreach day of a full year to guaranteeprofitability to the parent company.

In a comparatively short space oftime the complex has exceeded allexpectations, particularly at a periodwhen the proliferation of new clubs

with similar facilities has inducedfierce competition in the marketplace.

This is why there is no question ofOld Thorns resting on its laurels.

If the conference facilities could bedoubled in size, it does not need amathematical genius to work out thatthe profit from this aspect of theoperation would double accordingly.

However this would also mean aconsiderable enlargement to the hotelaccommodation.

�We are constantly looking atways to market ourselves. We cannotsit back and say: �Look what we havehere, and look at what we haveachieved.�

we can’t run a business of this scale by depending entirely

upon what numbers we attract to Old Thorns throughout

the period of the golf season”“


Club InsightClub InsightKOSAIDO OLD THORNS

�Instead we have to say: �Can wedo this or that to attract more clientswhether they be golfers, diners,conference delegates, or peoplesimply wanting a peaceful weekend inmagnificent tranquil surroundings?��

There is no doubt whatsoever thatOld Thorns is determined to keepahead of the ever-growing size of thechasing pack.

Always keen to find new and attractiveways to market themselves, OldThorns management have produced a

blueprint for taking over the entire organisationof Corporate Golf Days.

The scheme, designed to give companies andtheir clients a complete package will come intooperation next season. There is no doubt theoperative word is ‘complete’ starting with thebasic requirement of sending out invitationcards and travel directions.

On arrival, players will be met by one ofOld Thorns professionals, who will be on handto either help with or run the all importantguest registration and induction process ensur-ing all attendees know exactly what’s happening and where.

A club professional will also assist with starting, scoringand giving rulings where necessary. For players who do notwish to have a full 27-hole day, special golf clinics supervisedby trained PGA staff will be available.

Each competitor will receive an Old Thorns starter packduring registration which includes a detailed course planner,score card, pencil, tees, ball marker and three golf balls.

Following a buffet breakfast, golf starts with anine-hole competition, followed by an 18-holetournament after lunch. On completion of the afternoon round, playerswill be greeted off the course with a compli-mentary drink, followed by the prize-givingbanquet.After the event, group photographs taken at thefirst tee, mounted in specially printed folderswill be supplied to be despatched to all thoseattending.General manager Gary Jones said: “It is anextremely comprehensive package. We havegiven a great deal of thought to it.“A corporate golf day is a big event for a

company. Unless it is properly organised it is all too easy forthings to go badly wrong. Successful corporate golf days areall about attention to detail. This entirely new concept of golfday organisation takes all the stress away from the promotingcompany.

“We call it our Premier Service golf day. We are confi-dent it will be appreciated and will become increasinglypopular.”

The Corporate Element


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Ryder CupRyder CupVALDERRAMA

This year�s Ryder Cup between Europe and Americawill be historic in more ways than one. SeverianoBallesteros will become the first continental ever tocaptain the European team since Samuel Ryder

instigated the famous team competition 70 years ago whenhe leads his side out this month.

More importantly though, it will be the first contestbetween the two teams, this side of the Atlantic, to bestaged outside of Britain.

The Ryder Cup has only once ever been staged outsideEngland when it headed north to Scotland in 1973 to

take place on the links of Muirfield.But that is exactly what is happening this month

when the two sides head for the south ofSpain to contest the 32nd Ryder Cup at

Valderrama.No one will be prouder than Ballesteros

when he captains his side on home soil,an honour richly deserved for the heroic

feats he has performed over the last 15 yearswhich has resulted in four European victories in the lastseven matches.

But aficionados of the game will watching closely to seehow the Ryder Cup is received on foreign shores and ifthere is a future for playing the competition around differ-ent courses in Europe and not just England.

It has already been decided that the 2001 Ryder Cup isonce again destined for The Belfry and the Brabazoncourse, scene of those now legendary triumphs in 1985 and1989, when the next contest is staged on home soil again atthe start of next century. ➧

B Y P E T E R S I M M

VALDERRAMAThe beginning of a new Ryder Cup era?

Ryder Cup


Ryder CupVALDERRAMA

But there is a strong argumentgrowing for competition organis-ers to then diversify and use thewealth of championship courseswhich are now dotted aroundEurope.The European Tour has grownto such an extent over the lastten years that it now stagesevents at such far flung places as

Dubai and, while that may wellbe a somewhat fanciful sugges-tion, the idea of staging thecontest closer to home in Irelandis looking a distinct possibility.The 2005 Ryder Cup is still eightyears away but bids are alreadybeing prepared with the �K� Club,the venue for last month�sEuropean Open, Mount Juliet

and Druids Glen heading theearly list of favourites.�We make no bones about it,�said Paul Crowe, director ofgolf at the �K� Club which issituated 18 miles outsideDublin at Straffan.�The Ryder Cup is part of thereason why our club was built.It was a key fact when the deci-sion was taken to build thecourse in 1991.�

The club has successfully staged theEuropean Open for the last three yearsattracting all the top players in Europe inthe process and, with the course 7,159yards long, Crowe believes it is more thana match for the world�s top golfers.

He said: �The layout of the course issuperb and that is probably its biggestattribute. Of the 18 holes, 14 of them

contain water hazards and, just whenplayers think they are safe, they

encounter a new problem.�There is a growing section

among the players them-selves who believe theRyder Cup should bestaged in a country other

than England including ScotColin Montgomerie, the leading

money in Europe for the last four years.He said: �It was a surprise to all when

it was announced that the 2001 matchwould take place at The Belfry again.Although it is the headquarters of thePGA, I thought we would have beenthinking about Ireland or Scotland.

�The year 2005 is eight years hence andit�s a shame it has to take so long to get it.�

Crowe is confident that the PGA willtake the decision to head away fromBritain to foreign shores for the 2005

contest whether it be to his country andclub or to another venue.

With the help of private backing,improved resources and the increasinginfluence of the Irish government, Irelandseemingly has everything in place toproduce the ideal bid. Six years agothough, he didn�t think it would have beenpossible.

He said: �It wouldn�t have been possi-ble to stage the event then because we andother countries just didn�t have theresources.

�But with the rise of stars such as Seve,Bernhard Langer, Italian Costantino Roccaand the number of players that Scandinaviahas produced over the last few years, therehas been a massive improvement in theamount of private backing that was badlyneeded.

�In Ireland, our bid has been greatlyhelped by the government who have set upa special Ryder Cup committee to discussthe situation and who have also, impor-tantly, combined the portfolios of sportand tourism into one which the Irishminister Dr. Jim McDaid is in charge of.

�The impact of staging the Ryder Cupjust cannot be underestimated and it�s amajor boost for the government to beinvolved.

�To actually have the contest at yourcourse would make any club. In the two tothree years before the competition, youhave tourists who want to see where it�sbeing held, then you have the event itselfand then afterwards people from all overare desperate to play the Ryder Cupcourse.�

The impact of

staging the Ryder

Cup just cannot be

underestimated”“

Opposite page (top): Assorted views of the

Valderrama course, which ofcourse stages this years RyderCup competition between the

United States and Europe.Opposite page (middle):

The ‘K’ Club - a possible futureRyder Cup venue?

Above: The last course to stagethe Ryder Cup outside England -

Muirfield, Scotland 1973.


Ryder CupRyder CupVALDERRAMA

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To bring the contest to Ireland assoon as possible is the priority ofCrowe but eventually he would liketo see a system set up which wouldsee the competition rotate around thebest courses in the British Isles andEurope.

�The main concern of everybodyin Ireland is to get the competitionbut it would be great in the longterm if the PGA would start a systemwhich would see a circle of courses beused in different countries such asSweden and France.

�Scotland has more than a claimto staging the event than the Irishwhile the Swedish golf market is justfanatical. The enthusiasm when I goover there never ceases to amaze mewhile there are also some very goodcourses in France.�

Crowe will be among the manyinterested spectators at Valderramaassessing how well the Ryder Cuphas traveled.

But he believes that, amid all theclamouring to take the contestfurther-a-field, the PGA must alsoshow a restraint and not forget theroots which has made the Ryder Cupthe great contest which it is today.

He said: �The real body of theRyder Cup is that in Europe andespecially the United Kingdom, wehave a very, very indigenous follow-ing who are fanatical.

�The percentage of Spaniardsfollowing the contest is very smalland virtually all the atmosphere willbe provided by the thousands ofBritish traveling over.

�It will be strange going overthere without all the local hype thathas surrounded the event over thelast ten years.

�What should happen is that weshould stick with the British Islesquite a lot as England, Scotland andIreland should have a stronger claimthan anybody.�

The 1997 Ryder Cup is sure tobreak new ground and have a consid-erable bearing on decisions in thefuture.

But it is to be hoped that, whatev-er is decided in a competition whichnow has an ever-changing face, theessence of the contest which hasmade it such a focal part of the golf-ing calendar is not forgotten.

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Firm FocusFirm Focus

One of the biggest innovations atgolf courses over the last 30 years hasbeen computerisation. It can beapplied to an enormous amount oftasks from drainage to accountingand Evesham-based Fairway Systemsare taking it a step further.

The company claims that its soft-ware will increase net income at acourse - and that is enough to makeany administrator sit up andlisten.

Managing directorGordon Bunker said:�Golf in the commer-cial world is a toughbusiness these days.There has been amassive increase insupply in the com-mercial market overthe last five years.

�We have found thatmanagers sometimes just feellike circus clowns walking down thestreet whilst trying to juggle all thevariables. Our systems let themcontrol and manage their operationsto help them to maximise all theirrevenue opportunities.�

Among the company�s many soft-ware packages are a pro-shop man-agement system; a reservation andbooking system; accounting and elec-tronic voice-mail; tournament man-agement and a registration andmarketing system.

It also specialises in tee timemanagement and is the leadingsupplier of player-activated tee timereservation systems.

This system bolsters income byeffectively controlling no-shows, byautomatically pairing golfers and byallowing golfers to select from allcourses under common ownership.

Increasingly, it is the accountantswho make decisions - and they wantfigures. Some make frightening read-ing. Recent surveys have indicatedthat the majority of calls about teetime availability into the pro shop -around 72 per cent - do not result ina booking for a tee time.

Only 13 per cent of such callsresult in a booking. That adds up to astartling waste of staff�s time andcompany resources.

The Fairway Systems tee timereservation system allows golfers toreserve, modify or cancel tee times inless than 30 seconds and has beeninstalled on 300 courses in the USwith the UK starting to follow suit.

In the last 12 months alone, astaggering 14,000,000

rounds of golf werebooked through Fair-way Systems bookingsystems.�This year we laun-ched the Fairway GolfCourse Executive Infor-

mation System whichenables the golfer to

make reservations in sevendifferent ways - through the

pro shop, reservation agent, hoteldesk reception or guest services, touroperator or travel agent, Internet,interactive voice recognition, andtourist information centres.�

Bunker continued: �Our mostrecent installation for the Old HeadGolf Links in Kinsale, Ireland, is agreat example of why our system isthe market leader.

�As a resort course they receive alarge number of group reservationenquiries, but still have to manage theoperation and cope with numerousdaily enquiries for play in the imme-diate future - all the while maintain-ing an exceptionally high standard ofservice to their guests.

�No other system was capable ofmeeting their demanding needs.�

Fairway Systems does not justsupply software - the company workswith the golf club.

�We are very confident about oursystems� ability to increase netincome. Over 80 per cent of ourinstallations are done with us invest-ing in the club.

�We install all the hardware, soft-ware and training, without asking for

any money inadvance. Wethen generateour revenuebased on thenumber of reservations made.That way it reduces the capital outlayfor the club and it means the systempays for itself in line with the periodswhen the club is generating revenue.

�This unique approach, alongwith our commitment to continuousre-investment in our products hasestablished Fairway Systems as worldleaders in the resort, daily fees andmunicipal golf market place.�

No money up-front, and paymentwhen the club is generating revenue -it�s enough to make even an accoun-tant smile.

Fairway Systems web site goes liveon September 15. And it offers golfclubs a valuable service as Gordon

Bunker explained.“It has been set up in conjunction

with Microsoft and is a virtual golfclub giving links to varied informa-

tion. It is complete with theVisa/Mastercard secure electronictransaction system to give piece of

mind to the golfer.“For the initial period, golf clubs

will be able to advertise and sell theirtee times at no charge on our web

site.”This innovative approach to

marketing is further evidence ofFairway Systems’ commitment to golf

clubs and the golfer.The Fairway Systems web site can

be found at www.fairway.com

FAIRWAYleading the Way

Fairway Systems (Europe) LtdPO Box 2000, Evesham, WR11 4YL

Tel: +44 (0)1386 871490Email: [email protected]

FAIRWAY SYSTEMS (EUROPE)

Analysis


AnalysisBRYAN GRIFFITHS

The multi-billion pound British golf industry is aslarge as that of the rest of Europe�s put together.Increasingly, it is changing to resemble the prop-erty industry as more golf businesses changehands. Operators are becoming what might be

called �serial developers�, some of which now raise theircapital on the Stock Market for further purchases.

In many respects, the industry is in rude good health -and with prudence is a good place for well-managedinvestment. But there are some thorns in this rosy picture,of which professional advisers should take serious note.This is a prosperous industry, but it has hardly beensubjected to any serious commercial, professional or acad-emic critical scrutiny. VULNERABLENo �golf developers� guide exists and first time inexperi-enced developers (and their backers) are obviously vulner-able to the serious errors made repeatedly in each succeed-ing golf boom - far too many as noted below have hadtheir fingers burnt quite unnecessarily.

The golf industry service sector must carry some of theblame for this situation. It is small, fragmented and verylargely amateur in its approach.

A serious flaw is the lack of an independent bodydevoted to responsibility for promoting the prosperity ofthe game, and for the structured growth of its facilities by

way of unbiased and expert advice. Here is the root causeof much disenchantment with investment in golf facilities- an entirely avoidable calamity if the industry could onlyput its own house in proper order. VESTED INTERESTSThe vested interests of the establishment bodies is a majorobstacle in this: but it would be naive to hope a solutioncould be quickly found. The background to this reflectionon the broad state of the industry began with a serious�health warning� at the Eurogolf �96 trade show.

This was sparked off by Sports Marketing Surveys�(SMS) findings of a steep decline in the number of newplayers - down 50% in five years. This in turn led to thelaunch of two new national events aimed at stimulatinginterest in playing the game - the National Golf Week andthe KPMG Golf Show.

Estimates of would-be golfers vary widely; one exam-ple, up to 45% �wanting to try golf� by Golf ResearchGroup (GRG). These figures are hard to believe! Just 5%would equate to the 3 million or so active golfers: butthere is little doubt golf wannabees represent a long termlatent demand of substantial proportions.

This situation comes on top of the unprecedentedspurt in the growth of new golf courses - ominously most-ly 18 holes which those beginners can hardly play.Between 1990 and 1995, following a Royal & AncientGolf Club 1989 report, some 520 (an additional 20%)opened; but no less than three out of four are reported byGRG to be in financial difficulties.

Commentary on these trends has been rather superfi-cial so far: the practical answers to the questions abouthow and why remain unanswered.

To put these trends into perspective, a distinctionshould be made. A static customer base and decline inentrants to the game affects all 2,500 golf facilities to agreater or lesser extent: the well established are hardlytroubled and some prosper very well.

The financial problems affect just 16% of the facilities,the newly-opened courses with marginal profitability andburdened with debt they can hardly service let aloneamortise.

The R&A report had a wide-spread impact. It had esti-mated that 700 new courses were needed by the year2,000 - a 3% increase in supply. The R&A imprimatur nodoubt helped fuel the subsequent boom along with EUset-aside availability for agricultural land, easy money,sloppy thinking and the urge to climb aboard the band-wagon.

The golf industry service sector must carry some of the

blame for this situation. It is small, fragmented and very

largely amateur in its approach”“

Golf’sDilemma...

Chairman of Golfconsult International, Bryan Griffiths is aleading industry voice and respected figure within the

golf environment


AnalysisAnalysisBRYAN GRIFFITHS

Some developers were encouraged to overspend wild-ly, far above the level the British golf market could bear -not least on unviable, big name complexes, the demise ofwhich gave journalists a field day.

Nevertheless, the underlying strengths of the game andits industry are indisputable. While a few chickens werecoming home to roost as banks set about recovering theirdebt, golf merchandising hit a peak of £90 million in theearly 1990�s.

The supply side is now probably in for a period ofstability since, not suprisingly, a drop of 45% in newcourses occurred from 1994 to 1995. A similar declinealso happened between 1980 and 1987 in the aftermath ofthe mid-1070�s boom. The lessons have hardly changedbut few pay much notice. APPRAISALMeticulous appraisal (not the widespread conventionalwisdom of the �design-led� approach) would quickly andcost effectively have identified many of those 1990sprojects as not viable, and which should either not havebeen built in the first place, or in some different, moremarket compatible form.

It appears to be an accident of the golf industry�srecent history, that no dedicated establishment body existssolely to promote and nurture the growth and prosperityof the game. So just a few months ago, millions are nowidentified who wish to play and cannot - with all the hall-marks of a sudden surprise.

The independent researchers have done the industry abig favour by pin-pointing the supply side weaknesswhich this multi-million billion golf industry seems ill-equipped to handle.

An oversupply of 18 hole courses in a falling demandmarket is little or no help to beginners. Beginner-friendlyfacilities are essential for steady, long-term growth and arelong overdue in many parts of Britain.

The lack of critical scrutiny mentioned has been recti-fied in part, by an unprecedented milestone studyproduced by the Henley Centre.

The survey, which outlines the prospects for the golfindustry over the next ten years, promises to be the mostcomprehensive analysis ever, providing the clearest possi-ble insight into the future dynamics of the UK golfmarket.

As the publishers promises �many dramatic conclu-sions�, no doubt some of the issues raised here will also beaddressed.

Comprehensive �Golf Academies� with indoor/outdoorelements have promising commercial potential: but as yetare untried in Europe. The format takes barely a third ofthe land for 18 holes, costs less and has a much highercustomer capacity for golfers of all ages and skills.

The ultimate economic format is a six-point profit-centre �Pay-as-you-play� operation which would be asound investment in an urban or semi-urban situation.

One owner of an ailing Asian 18 hole championshipgolf course is so smitten with the turn-around prospectsthat he even proposes to convert his back nine holes intosuch an Academy.

Similar action might well rescue some of the financiallyunsuccessful courses here and provide new comprehensivebeginner-friendly facilities for the large latent market. Itcould well be a way for banks to rescue and nurse thefailed projects rather than be landed with forced receiversales.

The number of courses on the market for sale isincreasing with the result that sale prices are currently wellbelow original development costs - but not for long!

It is not too difficult to believe that the industry couldbe charged with failing its potential new customers simplyby being unprepared.

It is a big challenge to the golf establishment bodies,and financiers, to take action to retain potential golferswho can so easily be lured away to other sports whichhave got their act together.

Many potential customers exist; but no purpose builtfacilities are available to really welcome and help them jointhe active golfing fraternity and enjoy the pleasures of theRoyal & Ancient game.

Bryan Griffiths (left) with environmentalist David Stubbs on location in Andalucia, Spain

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For further information call Ann Murray at European Turfgrass Laboratories Ltd3 Cunningham Road, Springkerse Ind Estate, Stirling FK7 7SL, Scotland. Tel: 01786 449195; Fax: 01786 449688

Portfolio


PortfolioPRODUCT INFORMATION

REPLAN’S TOUCH IS WORLD-CLASS

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Replan’s high quality club shopdesign is evident in their newfashion-led, high street-style2,000 sq ft golf shop. Locatedwithin St.David’s Hotels’ newflagship complex, Carden Park,Cheshire, the new shop, withits “Hunting Lodge” theme,sports a tongue and groovedoak-panelled interior withraised-plinth displays.

TEEING-OFF A NEW MAT

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Links Leisure, manufacturersof the ‘Pro-Tee’ range of golfcourse and sports ground acce-sories, have launched a newartificial tee mat, claimed to beideal for shorter par threecourses. Measuring just 1.5m x1.0m, the mat has beenconstructed using a durablegrass reinforced cement baseand three artifical sections.

TORO APPOINT AGRONOMY EXPERT

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Toro announced recently that ithas teamed up with one ofEurope’s top golf agronomyconsultants, Bruce Jamieson.Director of agronomy for thePGA European Tour for 6years, Mr Jamieson is valuedfor his golf course experienceand now operates his ownconsultancy, B Jamieson GolfAdvisors in Hampshire.

TORO WINS MARRIOTT DEAL

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Toro has secured a multi-millionpound partnership agreementwith Marriott Hotels in the UKas exclusive suppliers of golfcourse turfcare machinery andirrigation systems. The dealcovers all eight Marriott Hoteland Country Clubs with golfcourses, as well as two others,where new 18-hole courses arecurrently under construction.

BLUE SEAL MAKING A COME-BACK

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Due to high demand, Blue Sealis re-launching the E92 Griddlewhich is designed for highvolume continuous cooking.The E92 Griddle is an all-purpose unit ideally suited forcooking beefburgers, steaks,chops, bacon, sausages andeggs. Features include a 3” highstainless steel splash guard onthree sides, and adjustable legs.

HANOVIA SOLVES WATER SHORTAGE

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Harleyford Golf Club, Buck-inghamshire, has overcome awater shortage problem byusing disinfected recycled efflu-ent for irrigation.The Hanoviaultraviolet light disinfectionsystem is compact in designand easy to maintain. It haslow running costs, is silent inoperation and produces no by-products of any sort.

RANSOMES SELECTED BY TOP CLUB

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Linden Hall golf club in North-umberland has over the pastyear invested more than£130,000 in Ransomes andCushman turf maintenanceequipment supplied by localdealer Rickerby of Hexham.Opened just 18 months ago,the course which is owned bythe Callers-Pegasus Group, isset within 450 acres of parkland.

SERVICE CONTRACTS ARE THE KEY

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Machinery supply agreementswhich include regular mainte-nance as part of the contract arebecoming increasingly popularin Scotland. Supplied by Ran-somes dealer, Scottish GrassMachinery, Newmachar GCand Balbirnie Park GC haveboth agreed contracts whichincludes in-season inspectionsand an annual winter service.

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