News
GEO publishes sustainable development guidance
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he Golf Environment Organization (GEO) has
published guidance for the sustainable development and renovation of golf facilities. Designed to support a wide audience including the international golf development community, plus government, environment and community- based organisations, the document sets out practical ideas to help golf projects comprehensively and consistently deliver against the mainstream sustainability agenda.
UKGCOA releases golf industry analysis
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he UK Golf Course Owners Association (UKGCOA) has released its first golf facility benchmarking report, which shows member clubs have seen a dramatic rise in rounds played
throughout 2011. The report, conducted by Sports Marketing Surveys, shows that
UKGCOA members saw a 20% increase in rounds played last year compared to the national average of just 8%. Using data provided by UKGCOA member clubs over the course
of 2011, the report allows them to monitor their performance and benchmark against an industry standard. Through the report members also have access to a wide range
of business performance indicators such as green fee yields, membership numbers, annual subscription rates and operating costs of many different types of golf courses and clubs across the UK. Jerry Kilby, UKGCOA executive director, said: “This report is
extremely encouraging, with statistics showing that if you manage your operation successfully and have a strong team around you, there is extremely good business to be had, despite the continued economic challenges.”
Sustainable Golf
Development: Creating a Positive Legacy is available on the GEO website,
golfenvironment.org/legacy/ guidance and also available to download or order in print. The project has been
delivered with financial, technical and in-kind support from the R&A, European Tour, European Golf Course Owners Association, the European Institute of Golf Course Architects, American Society of Golf Course Architects, Japanese Society of Golf Course Architects, Society of Australian Golf Course Architects, Oxford Economics and the United Nations Environment Programme.
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Take part in research and win Apple iPad
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ll golf clubs in England have been invited to take part in research to help shape future investment in the game. England Golf’s
2012 golf club membership questionnaire will monitor membership trends and highlight the effectiveness of current development initiatives and resources. Copies of the questionnaire have been sent to all clubs and it can also be completed online at www.gcmq2012. org. All clubs who make an online return by May 11 will be entered into a draw to win one of three Apple iPads. Meanwhile, all clubs which return a completed questionnaire will
be entered into a draw to win a fourball on the Hotchkin Course at the National Golf Centre, Woodhall Spa. Richard Flint at England Golf said: “This biennial research is a critical
part of meeting these and future challenges and will enable us, along with our county golf partnerships, to establish recruitment activities and transform facilities and offerings within clubs to meet the demand of existing and potential golfers.” Once all data has been collated a national results booklet will be
produced in the Autumn along with individual county breakdowns. Previous results booklets can be downloaded at
www.englishgolfunion.org
Pro Shop Europe April 2012
Text ‘Golf19’ and help Golf Foundation
join its ‘Golf19’ campaign as a “really easy way for adult golfers to put something back into the game”. Simply text ‘Golf19 £2’ to 70070 and make a donation. The Golf Foundation is
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asking all its supporters to text Golf19 £2 and help the charity to reach one million new golfers every year. Mike Round, chief executive
of the Golf Foundation, said: “When our team asks golf club members whether they would be happy to donate £2 to support the next generation of young golfers, the answer is always ‘Of course, no question.’ “However, collecting £2
from every adult golfer has been a difficult logistical problem. The launch of the Golf19 campaign changes all this at a stroke.” Golfers can simply text
‘Golf19 £2’ to 70070 and all the money goes through to the Golf Foundation. It doesn’t have to be limited to £2 of course - you can text £5 or £10 if this is affordable. According to the Golf
Foundation, the method of payment is completely secure; donors will receive a confirmation text when they make the donation and see a £2 charge next to the 70070 number on their next mobile phone bill.
he Golf Foundation is encouraging golfers to
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