GMé | issuu 50

50 not out...September 1997 saw the inaugural edition ofGolf Management Europe arrive at golf clubsthroughout Europe, and nine years later, and

still going strong, we celebrate our 50th issue.

The leading business magazine for the pan-European golf industry

GolfGolfManagementE u ro p e page 23

September 2006www.portman.uk.com

UK £5.00 Eur €7.25US $9.25

Out of the SandRansomes Jacobsen signs up with the PGA to become the ‘Official Supplier of Turfcare Equipment’.

Out of the SandRansomes Jacobsen signs up with the PGA to become the ‘Official Supplier of Turfcare Equipment’.

Along with superb golf and tight competition, whatmakes the Ryder Cup Matches so memorable are thestunning landscapes where championships are contested.The dedicated teams of managers, superintendents andgreenkeepers who create these lush, challenging coursescount on Toro — and so can you. The same equipment, irrigation systems andsupport Toro provides to its partners on PGA European Tour sites is available to golf courses everywhere. Whether large or small, new or old, every golf course with the desire to provide memorable golf experiences has a willing partner in thispursuit: Toro. Count on it.

Preferred supplier to The 2006 Ryder Cup.

They count on us... So can you.

© 2

006

The

Toro

Com

pany

Contents

When Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Golden Jubilee there was a party atBuckingham Palace and people played rock music on the roof. As GolfManagement Europe celebrates the big five-O, the celebrations were a little

muted in comparison: the normal mid-morning digestive at Portman Towerswas replaced with a choice of custard cream or Garibaldi!

But it is a considerable achievement nonetheless, and one of which wefeel proud. Nine years on from the first edition and we feel able to callour publication ‘the market-leading industry magazine.’

We’ve touched on everything in that time, from the controversial tothe seemingly-mundane-but-very-important. We’ve featured inter-views with industry leaders and with essential back-room staff;and from the grandest of golf resorts and country clubs to themunicipal nine-holer, nothing has escaped our newshounds.And if you look back at issue one and compare it with issue50, there’s one thing that you will notice: our staff of writersthen remains largely unchanged to this day. They believe inGolf Management Europe and they believe in the golf indus-try which is why they continue to write about it. But as much as we like to praise ourselves, and we do,let’s be honest - we are nothing without readers andadvertisers. Without them there would be no GolfManagement Europe. So our thanks go out to you, 50times over, whichever category you fall into.There is one thing we can promise you, as we set oursights on a full century: we will not rest upon ourlaurels. We will listen to the views and opinions ofboth our readers and our advertisers - if there’s atopic you think we should cover, just drop as a lineand tell us why.If you think your club should be the subject of theclub focus, write in and give us your reasons. Weknow from past experience there is a wealth ofuntold stories out there, and there are people whodelight in reading them.

As we sit down and plan issues 51 to 60, we havesome changes planned; but they are not drastic orsweeping. You may not even notice them. We feelwe have gauged the market and have no need to‘sex up’ our publication.We are here to tell the industry about the industry,and it is our intention to continue to do so well intothe three-figure mark.

Thank you for your continued support, as we lookforward to the next 50 issues!

A big ‘thank you’from publisherMichael Lenihan

issue 50credits;editorJohn Vinicombe

contributorsDavid BowersNeville JohnsonTrevor LedgerRob Wright

publisherMichael Lenihan

administrationSharon O’Connell

printColourspeed

Golf Management EuropeSuffolk Studios284 Ravenswood AvenueIpswich IP3 9TQUnited Kingdom

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No part of this publication may bereproduced or transmitted in anyform without written permissionfrom the publisher.

Whilst due care to detail is takento ensure that the content of GMEis accurate, the publisher cannotaccept liability for errors.

© Portman Publishing andCommunications Ltd 2006

cover story 7

property matters 18

right to roam 14

a design too far 26

Golf Management Europe September 2006

News

September 2006 Golf Management Europe

Lead StoryThe 2006 Ryder Cup will be heading toIreland later this month with the eyes ofthe world focusing on The K Club’s PalmerCourse - equipped with Toro’s irrigationsystems and turf machinery.

It will be the culmination of a six-yearpartnership during which The ToroCompany has been assisting The K Clubin preparation for the biggest sportingevent ever witnessed in Ireland.

“Toro has been in the forefront of mymind in helping determine how I’m goingto prepare the golf course,” said GerryByrne, course superintendent at The KClub. “This year’s Ryder Cup is not onlygoing to be a success for The K Club,Ireland and Europe, but also for Toro.

“I’m not talking about the result, butrather the challenge of producing a golfcourse worthy of a world stage. I cannot,and would not, even attempt to do it if Iwasn’t in partnership with Toro.”

Toro’s support for The Ryder Cupincludes providing irrigation systemperformance checks, ongoing involve-ment with superintendents and groundscrews, on-site technicians to assistduring the event, and additional turf

equipment including mowers, bunkerrakes, utility vehicles and more.

“We’re grateful for the relationships weshare with The K Club and The RyderCup,” said Mike Hoffman, chairman andCEO of The Toro Company. “It brings us agreat sense of pride to have them counton Toro to help create and maintainworld-class golfing venues.

“That’s why our commitment remainsstrong to developing new technologiesthat meet the many needs of ourcustomers. It’s important they stay onthe cutting edge, and have the bestequipment for the job.”

As the event approaches, Byrne says heis taking it one day at a time, monitoringeverything from the weather to the fair-ways to the trees. Byrne even set up40,000m of drainage across the crowdlines and sand-plated these areas toensure a comfortable golfing experience.

Over the duration of the golf tourna-ment, more than 200,000 people areexpected to walk through The K Club’sgates. As a result, the club will haveabout 5,000 staff members dedicated toensuring the event runs smoothly.

Ryder Cup success on thecards for Toro and K Club

Monty’s course designed togo the extra distance

Colin Montgomerie is to break withtradition and design a golf course thathas an actual 19th hole.

A new set-up is currently underconstruction for the Rowallan Castle GolfClub course in Ayrshire, as the eight-timeOrder of Merit winner continues hisdesign career.

Monty, who was behind the CartonHouse course in Ireland, is planning toput in a par-three championship qualityhole for the £50m project in Kilmaurs.

The reason for the idea was to offer anadditional hole to be used by playerswho complete 18 holes and find theirmatch is tied.

Benka set forpresidency

Peter Benka, a Walker Cup player andformer England international, hasaccepted the nomination to becomePresident Elect of the English Golf Unionfor the year 2007 with a view to becom-ing its President in 2008.

Reacting to his invitation, Benka said:“I’m very honoured to be asked.”

Ufford Park’snew face is alittle familiar

September sees the arrival of a newchief executive at Best Western UffordPark Hotel, Golf and Leisure, but he’ssomewhat of a familiar face. JolyonAldous joins the business where he willwork in conjunction with his father ColinAldous, chairman and sister Tarnia, salesand marketing director.

Previously, Jolyon worked as a forensicaccountant in London where hespecialised in quantifying the loss ofprofit suffered by businesses followingcatastrophes such as fires, floods, hurri-canes and fraud.

Jolyon is clear that his main objec-tives lie in the strategic side of the busi-ness and has already set himself goals ashe explains: “My efforts will be concen-trated on the commercial side of Ufford;looking at new and creative ways ofenhancing its profitability and mostcrucially delivering a high level of serv-ice to our customers.”

Chairman Colin Aldous is thrilled towelcome Jolyon because of the expertiseand commercial experience he brings tothe team: “I am delighted to welcomeJolyon back to Ufford Park.

“He returns as chief executive to joinour existing management team and willuse his proven skills to support andenhance the commercial success ofUfford Park in an increasingly competi-tive business environment.”


A fleet of 16 E-Z-GO golf cars has recently been delivered to Bowood Golf andCountry Club. Also included in the package, supplied by local dealer TH White, is anE-Z-GO ST350 turf utility vehicle which will be used as a course ranger vehicle and

ball collector on the driving range. John Hansel, director of golf at Bowood said: “AtBowood we believe that you have to offer golfers the ultimate experience and

having well presented and up-to-date golf buggies available help us achieve this.”

Sweet 16 for Bowood

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The Benefits of OverseedingCourse Managers from across the country made their way to the Belfry recently to

find out how they could realise the full potential of their courses by implementing acomprehensive overseeding programme and by adopting and encouraging goodmanagement practices. The event was hosted by British Seed Houses and run inconjunction with R&K Kensett.

During the morning session, guests heard a presentation from Richard Brown, BSH’samenity sales manager, who explained the importance of selecting the right cultivarsand mixtures and gave the audience an insight into the company’s breedingprogramme objectives.

Formby setfor PGA base

Owner of Formby Hall Golf Club, theMaghull Group, is investing more than£10 million in the club after SeftonCouncil’s Planning Committee approvedplans to transform the nine-year old clubinto a PGA National Residential GolfAcademy.

The centre of excellence at FormbyHall Golf Club will be the only PGAbranded National Residential GolfAcademy in the UK when it openstowards the end of 2007. The project isset to create almost 60 jobs.

Sefton Council Planning Committeehave approved plans to add a new ninehole golf course to the existing 18 holecourse as well as a 62 bedroom luxurygolf residence.

As part of the developments at FormbyHall Golf Club, the bar and restaurantwill be completely re-designed to have amore contemporary feel. The club is alsoset to benefit from a new spa, swimmingpool and fitness centre.

News


Carousel Golfing has just completedanother bag storage installation at thehigh profile Aphrodite Hills Golf Resort inPaphos, Cypus. Nuno Bastos, the newdirector of golf for the resort required anupgrade from the standard wood shelvingarrangement in order to release extraspace and allow a golf buggy mainte-nance area to be created by using half ofthe same bag room area.

Carousel Golfing had previouslyinstalled at Oitavos Golf Club, Portugal,where Bastos had worked as golf directoruntil last year, so he was well placed toappreciate the number of benefits theCarousel system could provide.

Carousel was asked to draw up plans toaccommodate the requirements atAphrodite Hills to include the samenumber of bags in half the space and thefast deposit and retrieval of bags to runwith the heavy use of golf cars. Havingdecided on the number of bag store unitsrequired, the order was flat packed ontothree pallets and delivered to Aphroditeand installed within 24 hours.

Mike Waldren from Carousel Golfing hadflown out to Cyprus in advance of theorder’s arrival to supervise the installa-tion by local maintenance personnel andwas impressed by the operation of theresort and golf course. “Aphrodite Hillswas a perfect example of how a courseand hotel with a large buggy operationcan benefit from our tailor made bagstore systems,” said Waldron.

“When you look at the demands madeon man hours and space associated witha constant flow of golfers, making themost efficient use of both is a top priori-ty - after all it is the heart and soul ofyour golf operation!”

Commenting on the installation, NunoBastos said: “When I arrived at AphroditeHills eight months ago, I was amazedwith the lack of conditions that the staffhad to operate with, especially as wehave quite a large golf car fleet.

“We needed a solution to our lack ofstorage space and decided to install aCarousel System which reduced in halfthe amount of space we needed for bagstorage, whilst at the same time freeingup space for a dedicated workshop main-taining our 80-strong buggy fleet.

“As I knew the Carousel system fromPortugal, I also knew it was going towork just fine - and it did. A simple butfantastic solution, installed in one day.”

Carousel Golf proves a realwinner at Aphrodite Hills

A Turkey Trot for TPLThomson Perrett and Lobb is to create a classic, heathland style course on Turkey’s

Mediterranean coast. The Carya Golf Club in Belek Tourism Centre, Antalya, will be achampionship golf course set on undulating sand hills and cutting through maturepine and eucalyptus forest.

Peter Thomson, the five-times Open Champion, said: “This is an exceptional piece ofland on which to build a golf course. It is reminiscent of the famous Surrey heathlandcourses near London that I rate among the world’s best.”

Links Courseup for sale

Keen golfers with at least half amillion in the bank have the chance tobuy an “absolutely stunning” seasidegolf course in Pembrokeshire. St David’sGolf Club overlooking Whitesands beachis being sold by the family who haveowned it for 80 years.

They hope the nine-hole links coursewill fetch about £500,000 - but expertspredict it could go for much more.

Pro golfer Robert Ryder, from BurryPort, said such courses only came on themarket “once in a blue moon”.

Ryder, the professional at AshburnhamGolf Club, said he had played at the“breath-taking” 103-year-old links manytimes during his career. “I’ve been aprofessional for 30 years and I can’tremember the last time a links golfcourse came up for sale - certainly inWales,” he said.

And Ryder is confident the 53-acrecourse - which comes with clubhouseand changing rooms - would far exceedits starting price. “Somebody will pay amillion for it, they’ve got to,” he added.

One of the current owners, retiredarmy colonel John Beer, 49, said: “Thegolf course was founded in 1903 and myfamily bought it in the early 1920s.

“While we have a sentimental attach-ment to the golf course we feel now isthe right time for future improvementsand development.”

The links will be auctioned on October20.

Golf Plus andSure Shot joinforces

Golf Plus has joined forces withAustralian company SureShot GPS in adistribution and manufacturing dealwhich, the company claims, will acceler-ate the penetration and growth of GPS-based golf technology the world over.

Golf Plus will manufacture SureShotGPS, a handheld golf course measuringdevice, on a worldwide basis and distrib-ute throughout Europe, the Middle Eastand Africa.

Andrew Walters, Golf Plus sales andmarketing director said: “Our combinedexpertise in manufacturing, distributionand marketing will allow us to dominatethe world market in GPS based golf prod-ucts.”


Ransomes JacobsenWest Road, Ransomes Europark

Ipswich IP3 9TT

Telephone: 01473 270000Facsimile: 01473 276300

www.ransomesjacobsen.com

COVER STORY

Cover StoryThe Professional Golfers’ Association andRansomes Jacobsen have signed a three-year agreement where the Ipswich-basedturf equipment manufacturer becomesthe Official supplier of turfcare equip-ment to the PGA.

In addition to Official supplier status,Ransomes Jacobsen will supply supportequipment to the PGA for use by coursespreparing for PGA tournaments.

The agreement also gives golf coursesmanaged by PGA Golf Management accessto Ransomes Jacobsen equipment withenhanced benefits and terms. PGA GolfManagement manage seven golf clubthroughout the World including Laucala

Island Resort in Fiji and the Riffa GolfClub, Bahrain’s first international 18-holegrass golf course.

Commenting on the agreement, SandyJones, chief executive of The PGA said:“We are delighted with the outcome ofour negotiations with RansomesJacobsen. “We have entered this businesspartnership knowing that we will beworking with one of the leading turfequipment manufacturers, world-wide.

“Through PGA Golf Management wehave had a great relationship withRansomes Jacobsen for some time astheir products were specified for the Riffadevelopment in Bahrain.

“Most importantly, they are a globalplayer and are committed and concernedfor the development of golf,” addedJones. “Their network of professionaldealers and distributors throughoutEurope, the Middle East and Africa willensure that we have the best equipmentto support our events and our managedcourses.”

David Withers, managing director atRansomes Jacobsen added: “This is greatnews for Ransomes Jacobsen. We hadsome tough times in the late 90s but inrecent years we have seen significantimprovements in terms of customer satis-faction and market share as well asbetter volumes and profitability.

“This agreement is a mark of thisprogress and reflects the PGA’s confi-dence in us as a leading supplier to thegolf sector. We look forward to workingwith the PGA and PGA Golf Managementover the coming years.”

Ransomes Jacobsen signOfficial deal with the PGA

0870 241 4678www.ppcgolf.com

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Carousel GolfingTel: (44) 01242 239862

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Installations include:Aphrodite HillsR&A St AndrewsPenha LongaK ClubPortmarnock

AshworthBox Clever

News


A major new golf practice and teachingcentre at St Andrews was officiallyopened last month by Peter Dawson,chief executive of The R&A, who unveileda plaque to commemorate the occasion.

The St Andrews Links Golf Academy,which is housed within an extension tothe existing Golf Practice Centre, willcombine cutting edge technology withworld class coaching.

Invited guests from throughoutScotland attended the official openingceremony which featured demonstrationsof some of the most modern andadvanced equipment available in golf,including digital and video analysis, adoppler radar device originally developedto track missiles but now used to trackthe flight of golf balls and an ultrasoundsystem used to scan the putting stroke.

“This is a hugely significant develop-ment for golf in St Andrews and through-out Scotland as a whole,” said Dawson.

“It is good to see the success of theLinks Trust resulting in this reinvestment.The golf academy is a very impressivefacility which will be of great benefit toplayers at all levels of the game.

“The analysis equipment availablethese days takes golf instruction toanother level and it is pleasing to see StAndrews at the heart of this process ofinnovation.”

The Golf Practice Centre extension andacademy opened to the public in June.The academy offers coaching to golfers ofall abilities by a team of three PGA GolfManagement professionals and a customfit service delivered by Applied GolfTechnology.

Links Golf Academy Opens

Gilholm’s added value

Belford Golf Club, Northumberland, hasbeen given planning permission toextend its course from nine to 18 holes -with five of the new holes to be built onland across a busy road.

The scheme is the latest in a series ofinvestments, both on and off the course,by owners Colin and Vivien Gilholm, ofC&V Developments.

Since they bought the club two yearsago, the clubhouse has been refurbished,improvements have been made to thecourse and planning permission securedfor a 52-bedroom, country club-stylehotel.

A brand rooted in tradition, Ashworthhas a history of designing and manufac-turing high quality golf clothing thatseamlessly combines style with function.

Ashworth has added two gift boxcollections to its product range, one tomark the company’s 20th year and theother to appeal to the Christmas giftmarket.

The Ashworth Christmas box setscombine highlights from the currentAshworth clothing ranges with classicaccessories. The second collection hasbeen introduced to mark Ashworth’s 20thyear and this limited edition commemo-

rative box set celebrates this monumen-tal occasion.

The box set features brand ambassadorFreddie Couples, who has been withAshworth since it’s launch in 1987, andcontains a Classic polo shirt, one of thestalwarts of the Ashworth range, and anexclusive ‘golfman’ pitch mark repairer.

Family clashover plans fora new course

Members of an aristocratic Scottishfamily have clashed over rival plans for anew course. The Earl of Cawdor said morehousing and a new golf course will helpthe former Victorian spa resort of Nairnreclaim its title as the ‘Brighton of theNorth’.

But his stepmother, the DowagerCountess of Cawdor, has issued a state-ment on separate plans for housing, ahotel, golf course and equestrian centre.The pair have clashed previously overownership of Cawdor Castle.

Cawdor Maintenance Trust, of whichthe countess is one of the trustees, hasappointed Edinburgh-based planningconsultant Farningham McCreadie. It willwork on the proposals for land the trustowns at Carse of Delnies, Nairn.

The trust said the development was inconjunction with Highland Council’sNairn expansion and A96 corridor proj-ect. In a news release issued on thetrust’s behalf, the countess said: “Thetrustees have been discussing plans forthe Delnies land with the HighlandCouncil for some time.

“These plans are very much in linewith the public announcement made bymy stepson, Lord Cawdor, recently.

“It should be noted, however, that theland in question belongs to the CawdorMaintenance Trust.”

However, the earl has unveiled aconcept called ‘A New Future for Nairn’,which includes a suggestion for housingwest of Nairn’s Sandown area and a newgolf course bordering Nairn Golf Club.

FANNING GOLF LTDGOLF COURSE CONSTRUCTION


The Mayor of Ipswich, Cllr Henry Davies, performed the official opening of RansomesJacobsen’s new Customer Care Centre at the company’s international head office inIpswich, last month. The new centre, which represents a £750,000 investment, has

been incorporated into the recently refurbished manufacturing plant and includes33,000 sq. ft. of floor space dedicated to 44,000 spare parts lines and also administra-tive offices for service parts, warranty, product support, customer service and training.

Customer Care Centre opens

John Deere’sclass leadingnew compact

Featuring a 62hp Tier 2 low emissiondiesel engine and eHydro hydrostatictransmission, John Deere’s new fourwheel drive 4720 compact tractor is nowthe biggest in the company’s range.

A 4720 model assembled at Deere’sstate of the art factory in Augusta,Georgia recently became the 500,000thcompact utility tractor manufactured byJohn Deere since production started inthe USA in 1978.

Toro to support EuropeanGolf Course Owners

Toro recently announced that it is nowthe preferred supplier of turf mainte-nance equipment and irrigation to theEuropean Golf Course Owners Association(EGCOA), which includes approximately600 golf course owners in 12 Europeancountries.

As a worldwide leader in golf mainte-nance equipment and irrigation, Toro hasdeepened its relationship with an organi-sation that shares a common commit-ment to the game’s continued growthand success.

The EGCOA is dedicated to serving theneeds of golf course owners throughoutvarious European countries and helpingthose owners build stronger businessmodels through education initiatives,best-practice sharing, and partnershipswith other industry stakeholders such asToro.

“We strongly believe that the Toro-EGCOA partnership is a great fit. Bothparties are committed to growing the

game of golf in Europe,” said MichaelHappe, director of golf marketing for ToroInternational.

“Owners and superintendents aroundthe world count on Toro for innovativeproducts that provide reliable perform-ance, while helping them increase courseplayability and profitability.

“We are excited to partner with anoutstanding organisation that continuesto grow within the industry, and we lookforward to meeting the needs of EGCOAmembers as best we can.”

Marcel Welling, president of the EGCOA,said: “The EGCOA is delighted to formthis partnership with Toro. We believethey are committed to a high level ofservice for golf course owners in Europe,and the quality they deliver helps ownersimprove the management of their mainte-nance operations.

“Toro’s wealth of knowledge is valuablefor the owners, which we’ll now be ableto tap into through this partnership.”

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The K-Club, Smurfit Course, Ireland

News


Golf Environment Europe (GEE) andRansomes Jacobsen have signed a three-year agreement with the Ipswich-basedcompany becoming a Lead Partner of GEE.

Golf Environment Europe is a pan-European initiative working to promoteenvironmental sustainability in golf.

Developed from the Committed toGreen Foundation’s principles, it issupported by a wide range of golfingorganisations and is committed to thepromotion of environmental responsibili-ty across all areas of the golf industry.

Commenting on the agreement,Jonathan Smith, chief executive of GEEsaid: “We are delighted to have signedthis accord with Ransomes Jacobsen, asthey are one of the leading turf equip-ment manufacturers in the industry andhave a proven track record of theircommitment to environmental issues.

“It’s this type of commitment that weneed, right across our industry; and thisis amply demonstrated by the way theymange and develop their business. Theyhave a portfolio of products that can berun on alternative fuels, they usebiodegradable oil in their manufactured

products and they have ISO14001, thefirst company within the turf care indus-try to be awarded this international stan-dard for environmental management.

“This represents their ongoing commit-ment to environmental best practice andresponsible management and their greencredentials can only be enhancedthrough the signing of this agreement.”

David Withers, managing director atRansomes Jacobsen added: “The signingof this agreement with GEE is more excel-lent news for us. We are committed toenvironmental best practice and manage-ment and are determined to make thisagreement a two-way process.

“We have already demonstrated oursupport for green issues in golf as spon-sors of BIGGA’s Golf Environment awardand the STRI’s Sustainable Golf CourseManagement DVD.

“With GEE we will be introducing theRansomes Jacobsen EnvironmentalInnovation and Technology award, whichwill recognise the achievements of aEuropean golf course which has demon-strated particular innovation on an envi-ronmental topic.”

Joint Agreement favours theEnvironment across Europe

New websitefor BSH

British Seed Houses has launched abrand new website for the amenitysector at www.bshamenity.com

It has a fresh, clean look and is easyto navigate, with an occupation selectorto take you straight to the informationthat’s relevant to you.

GCA looking for increasedvisitors to Celtic Manor

An expected 35 per cent increase in attendance suggests that this October’sBusiness of Golf 2006: Profit From Golf Conference will be an essential diary item formany of the golf world’s key decision makers.

And with at least 18 key speakers confirmed so far, the three-day event – hosted bythe Golf Consultants Association at Celtic Manor from 29-31 October 2006 - promisesto be packed with good advice for anyone looking to increase profits in their golfbusiness.

Plans wellunder way atRudding Park

Rudding Park, Yorkshire, is in theprocess of a multi-million pound devel-opment which will make it one of thepremier venues in the North of England.

Its three-pronged expansion planincludes a new six-hole short golf courseand the addition of another nine holesto the existing 18, luxury holiday lodgesworth up to £250,000 and the transfor-mation of the Clock Tower restaurantwithin the 50-bedroom hotel complex.

Owner Simon Mackaness, whose familybought Rudding Park, near Harrogate, in1972, said: “In the longer term we wantto be known as a resort destination likeThe Belfry.”

The additional nine holes will be addedby 2008 while the six-hole short coursewill have a signature hole replicating theinfamous 17th hole at Sawgrass inFlorida with an island green surroundedby a lake. The golf academy, where thereare five professionals will also have anew practice area.

Mackaness said: “The short course willbe the best outside London. It has beendesigned by Martin Hawtree who wasrecently involved with course develop-ments at Carnoustie and Royal Liverpoolgolf clubs and created Rudding Park’soriginal 18-hole championship course.”

Mox really deliver on the whole package...�I hadn�t dealt with Mox before coming to Hever Castle, and didn�t know too much about them. I�vesince found that the great thing about Mox is their attitude to customer service � it�s the same as mine:pro-active, always keen to look after the customer, and make sure they�re getting what they want.�Jon Wittenberg , General Manager (pictured left) Hever Castle Golf Club, Kent.

Making the most from your buggies? Wondering about introducing them at your club? If you want a company that�s a partner not just a supplier, then come and talk to us on 0088770011 664466 000044, or e-mail us at [email protected]

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HIRE QUALITY

News


A Gloucestershire walker who strolledcasually across a golf course during agame has been fined £80. Dr CliveMowforth became embroiled in a rowwith golfers after walking on what heclaimed was a public footpath.

He said he was exercising his right toroam on a public right of way. But a rowdeveloped at the Stinchcombe Hill GolfClub and police were called.

Dr Mowforth, 49, from Dursley, wasissued with a fixed penalty notice forcriminal damage.

He said: “I’ve walked that route formany years, the right of way runs thelength of the 18th fairway and acrossthe tee. The footpath is not marked so Imoved the tee marker from it.”

Dr Mowforth was then approached by agroup of golfers and a scuffle started.Police confirmed they attended an inci-dent at the club.

The 49-year-old said he plans toappeal his fixed penalty notice in court.

A Gloucestershire police spokesmansaid Dr Mowforth had 21 days to appealagainst the fixed penalty notice.

A spokesperson for the golf clubrefused to comment on the incident asinvestigations are still ongoing, butconfirmed there are several public rightsof way on the course.

Walker finedfor golf strole

Work to create a £1.7m golf course inone of Glasgow’s most deprived areas hasfinally started - after a nine-year fight.Ruchill’s derelict nine-hole course isbeing transformed into a professionalstandard facility, set to attract golfersfrom around the city.

Residents have battled to get thecouncil-run Ruchill Golf Course re-opened since it shut in 1997 aftervandals and spending cuts left it in astate of ruin. It had been in use sincethe 1920s.

But attempts by residents and golfersfailed to get it off the ground again.Then in May this year the city councilput up £800,000 to transform thedisused course.

Ruchill Community Golf Trust hadalready raised £600,000 and the rest ofthe £1.7m came from ScottishEnterprise. The new course is expectedto be completed by next spring.

Derelict linksset to re-open

The threat of the imposition of evermore essential drought restrictions hasbrought an increased urgency and focuson the need to install a Recycling Wash-Off System at golf courses and LocalAuthority grounds maintenance depots.

Equipment cannot be properly main-tained if it cannot be cleaned and main-tenance will be severely compromised ifoperators are unable to wash-off theirequipment for many months.

Simon Osbourne, course manager atCuddington Golf Club, Banstead, Surrey,recently installed a Waste2WaterRecycling Wash-Off System.

Osborne commented: “We receivednotification from Sutton and East SurreyWater that we could no longer wash ourequipment off after the end of May, andthat the ban was expected to last for atleast six months.

“I advised them that we had recentlyinstalled a Waste2Water System and theywere delighted. The water companyauthorised us to continue washing-off asnormal and advised us to put a promi-nent ‘Recycled Water’ sign up to avoidpotential conflict with neighbours due tous continuing to use water when they arenot allowed.”

Recycled Water the only way

Geoff Swain took the title of world number one as crowds flocked to Hanbury Manorin Hertfordshire on Friday 18th August to see the world’s top trick-shot artistscompete head to head at the World Golf Trick-Shot Championships.

The freestyle competition was keenly contested and the margins between each actwere very slim. Geoff Swain cruised to victory with a faultless and varied display ofextreme golf shots and witty banter, highlights included audacious moving ball shotsand his signature shot ‘The Jock Strap’.

Trick Shots proves a success

The Right to Roam


PROFILE

Non-golfers are becoming amore familiar sight on golfcourses right across theUK. While this can be

distracting, it can more worryinglyprove extremely dangerous and putgolfers and non-golfers at serious riskof an accident.

And, if an accident does happen, intoday�s climate of compensation claims,it is highly likely that the finger will bepointed and somebody, most likely thegolfer or club, will be held to account.

The public�s right to roam has hitthe headlines repeatedly over the pastfew months and caused a great deal ofcontroversy in Scotland in particular.Unlike England and Wales, courses inScotland are not exempt to publicaccess laws and members of the publichave virtually unlimited access tocourses. The only restrictions that applyare that non-golfers must not disturbgames and stay off greens.

The Scottish Golf Union (SGU) isasking Holyrood to make amends to the2003 Land Reform Act to make non-golfers stick to paths and access coursesat designated points. Not surprisinglythis is being disputed by those access-ing the courses for non-golfing reasonssuch as rambling and dog walking.

They are claiming that Scotland�s540 golf clubs need to be more gener-ous with their land and say that there is

no evidence to suggest non-golfers areroutinely interfering with golf play.

In contradiction, the SGU hasreceived complaints from golfers relat-ing to dog mess on courses, day-tripperswandering the fairways, shopperstaking shortcuts and tourists behavingaggressively. The Scottish Parliament�scross-party group on golf is taking thematter seriously and visiting clubs tofind out what issues are affecting thegame.Public accessIn England and Wales, the law differsand the public are only able to accesscourses if there is a public right of wayor bridal path. There are other instanceswhere a non-golfer, for example afarmer, can access a course if they owna private right of way.

Such access laws are designed tokeep non-golfers from straying ontofairways or rambling through the roughin an attempt to minimise the risk ofaccidents and disruption of games.

Many non-golfers believe that golf-ing advocates are more interested in thepreservation of the sport as opposed thesafety of ramblers and dog walkers. Inreality, many non-golfers do not realisehow dangerous golf courses can be.Bunkers, driven balls, water traps andeven golf buggies can all jeopardisesafety. In addition, non-golfers cancreate further hazards such as leaving

dog mess, a known health and safetyissue, or damaging the course, whichcan cause people to trip and fall.

We are now living in a �blame andclaim� culture and cannot simply allowpeople to roam freely across golf cours-es. Whether it is a course in Scotland,England or Wales, common sense needsto be adopted to protect the safety andinterests of all people using golf courses.

Proper risk management is key andwould benefit all parties using oraccessing courses. Simple, but effec-tive, measures can be easily implement-ed to control, not limit, access andimprove safety. Designated accesspoints should be located in low riskareas. For example, not halfway alongthe fairway or near the teeing off point. DangerLikewise, public right of ways or bridalpaths should be mapped so that theylead non-golfers away from dangerareas such as parts of the rough orwoodlands where balls may be easilymis-driven and it can be difficult to spotpeople.

Clearly marking bunkers and watertraps can help alert non-golfers, whomay not be familiar with course layout,to the potential danger of a trip or fall.Similarly, signs highlighting publicright of ways and warning of golf play(driven balls) can help alert golfers andnon-golfers to potential danger.

Michael Shaw, National Secretary at the National Golf Clubs�Advisory Association,discusses public access on golf courses, the risks it poses and why better understandingand co-operation could help put the argument to rest.


Using stiles and gates at accesspoints can help to control the flow ofpeople onto courses, while regularlymaintaining topography can help tominimise blind spots and improve visi-bility.

Many clubs may argue that theyshould not have to take these measuresas a golf course is for golfers.Inevitably, courses will always besubject to some form of public accessand it is in the interests of the club andits members to make the necessaryprovisions. PrecautionsIf an accident does occur, there aremany factors that need to be taken intoaccount to determine who is at fault, ifanybody at all. Every case needs to betreated on its own merits and becauseof this, it is difficult to list hypotheticalsituations and state outright who is atfault, whether it is the golfer, golf clubor non-golfer.

However, taking the necessaryprecautions such as erecting warningsigns and maintaining topography couldhelp to reduce the risk of accidents andprotect golfers and golf clubs againstworst case scenarios such as litigationclaims.

It is easy to appreciate why somenon-golfers want access to the country-side settings that many courses residein, but they too must respect the leisuretime pursuit that their golfing counter-parts are enjoying.

For example, extending simplecourtesies such as waiting for a golferto finish a shot before cutting across thecourse and not walking across greenswould be immensely appreciated bygolfers. After all, it is reasonable toassume that many ramblers resent thedamage that mountain bikes do to coun-try footpaths and the potential risk ofbeing knocked over by a cyclist.

Ultimately, better understanding andco-operation is required betweengolfers and non-golfers. In today�senvironment of growing urbanisationand dwindling green spaces, it is coun-terproductive to perpetuate an argumentthat questions public access to thecountryside.

This is perfectly demonstrated inDefra�s current plans to develop acoastal path running the length of theUK�s perimeter. Such a path may incertain areas require public accessacross or alongside some golf coursesand Defra is working with courses tosee how this can be best achieved.

Golfers and non-golfers must recog-nise the needs of each other and appro-priate public access measures benefit-ing both parties need to be developed.Reaching such a compromise wouldenhance course health and safety aswell as appreciation and preservation ofthe countryside. It will also help tosafeguard a national sport thatcontributes hundreds of million poundstowards the UK economy every year.

Pont Royal


ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Situated in the heart ofProvence, Pont Royal is thepicture of a quiet pastelcoloured Provençal village,

but is, in fact, a fun packed, family-friendly holiday resort built to comple-ment the traditional style of thesurrounding region.

The resort is located amongst the180-hectare Luberon Regional Park andis positioned 45km from Avignon and30km from Aix-en-Provence. Its narrowstreets, charming squares, boutiques,cafes and houses are perfectly in keep-ing with its surrounding villages. PontRoyal delights all types of holidaymak-er, including the keen golfer, by offer-ing them a true taste of Provence.

At the heart of the resort is asuperb18-hole sustainable golf coursedesigned by world-renowned golfer,Severiano Ballesteros, famed for hiswork in Spain, including theValderrama Golf Club design and theSan Roque Club II.

The first hole tees off just outsidethe clubhouse, which opened in 2002. Ashort par four, this hole�s green ishidden in the fir plantation down themain plateau.

The next four holes are set out intree filled landscapes and are cleverlypositioned over a winding stream,making for adventurous play. The 6thhole is an upward climb, which followson to a series of holes offering 360°panoramic views over the village ofMallemort perched on a rocky spur tothe north, the Durance Valley, the softcurves of the Luberon, and the Chainede la Trevaresse mountain chain head-ing towards Aix en Provence.RavineThe ninth hole unrolls calmly over 500metres to the foot of the pyramidshaped Pont Royal village. After a four-hole loop, including one long par threecrossing an impressive ravine, the lastfive holes slip by in the shade of a pineforest to finish opposite the club terrace.

Pont Royal Golf Course has widefairways, broad, sloping greens, and agood variety of backdrops and shots,interspersed regularly with fairlyhazard-free water.

Amateurs will be at ease here, whileprofessionals may already have pound-ed these fairways several times duringboth men�s and women�s professionaltours.

The golf course and clubhouse areindependent from the resort, and Pierre& Vacances� guests receive a ten percent reduction on green fees.

This wild, peaceful course reflectsProvence and the personality of itsarchitect. Whatever level (green cardrequired), golfers will enjoy measuringthemselves against the tactical chal-lenges of this stimulating course.

Built by Europe�s leading providerof holiday resorts and residences, Pierre& Vacances, the resort is also a havenfor families with children. In fact, holi-daying at Pont Royal can be both a timeto play and a time to learn.

Through its partnership with theWorld Wildlife Fund (WWF), Pierre &Vacances provides a range of environ-mental programmes to raise awarenessamong children and young people aboutlooking after the environment whilstenjoying the family holiday.

In addition to its focus on worldconservation through the WWFprogramme, the Pont Royal Pierre &Vacances Village has firmly establisheditself as a key player within the culturaland artistic world through the�Académies de Pont Royal�.

Situated in stunning French countryside, Pont Royal in the heart of Provence, is rapidlyestablishing itself as one of France�s golfing hotspots, not only with golfers but holiday-makers alike. Article by Lisa Ronchetti.


This association, formed in 2002,actively aims to promote new talent indifferent artistic disciplines includingclassical music, jazz, fine arts anddramatic art. The Académie�s activitiesare mainly training schemes and high-level meetings, which lead to eventsopen to the public.

Weekly sessions are held at the PontRoyal children�s clubs and activitiesincluding golf are available on site atthe Pont Royal golf course.ActivitiesFor non-golfing aficionados, PontRoyal village offers a vast selection ofdaytime and evening activities, andcourses for children and adults. Theseinclude fitness sessions, archery, paint-ball, fencing, modern dance, hiking,mountain biking, volleyball, basketballand tennis.

In addition, an equestrian centreprovides unique teaching methods,designed to stimulate children�s curiosi-ty and instil them with the desire todiscover ponies from the age of twoyears upwards. Teenagers are cateredfor too at �Le Spot�, a new on-site clubwith music, video and supervised activ-ities.

Children from three months to 18years can participate in one of the fivedifferent clubs. Activities for babiesand toddlers include sports alertnessand mobility games; youngsters cantake part in team, ball and dexteritygames, sports tournaments, treasurehunts, hockey and kite flying and olderchildren can enrol on model-making,radio controlled yachts, golf, fencingand mini motorbike activities.

The resort also boasts several waterfacilities and fun water sports in a900m2 aqua complex, featuring a wavepool, geysers, a landscaped pool, a chil-dren�s paddling pool, large sun decksand a very popular ten-metre �wildriver�.

Guests can make use of the resort�smany on-site bars and restaurants.Evening entertainment includes cabaret,café-theatre, games evenings and week-ly shows, exhibitions and private view-ings on aspects of Provence.

Provence is one of the most popularand diverse regions of France, withstunning coastlines, pretty villagesboasting lush lavender fields, chic citiesand historical buildings, including thefamous papal palace in Avignon. Daytrips and excursions can be made fromthere to the Camargue river delta, thePalace of the Popes, St. Remy deProvence and the Alpilles.

All in all it�s a great destination forthe whole family and its warm climatemeans that it�s a good choice for earlyspring or autumn breaks.

Pont Royal has a four suns classifi-cation. The accommodation comprises502 apartments for three to four peoplewith private gardens and terraces, 85semi-detached houses (loggias), eachwith private terraces set within gardens,and ten villas with private swimmingpools, located on the edge of the golfcourse.

There are 11 two-storey villas and a56-room, four-suns rated hotel oppositethe golf course in the heart of the estate.Both the apartments and the hotel offeraccommodation equipped for personsof reduced mobility. Pets are welcome.

A choice of meal services is avail-able, including take-out meals, chil-dren�s menus, self-catering, half boardand dining �flex cards�. How to get thereFly into Marseilles airport which is just52km away from the resort or viaEurostar and TGV Mediterranee. Forbooking information log ontowww.pierreetvacances.com or contact08 700 267 144

Prices start from 427 euros per weekbetween 23-30 September 2006. Thisis for seven nights accommodation in astudio apartment for 4/5 people andincludes bed linen, towels, two teatowels and a cleaning kit, TV and finalcleaning (expect for kitchen area anddishes) - all taxes and fees excepttourist fees.

Admission to pools, playgroundsand sports complexes (except archery)as well as daytime and evening anima-tion are also included.

“The Business of Golf is our Game”Do you own or operate a Golf Course or Driving Range that is not achieving its full potential?

Let us offer you an alternative way of doing business –Our experience may be the missing component in your success.

Mack Trading – Amenity ManagementSpecialists in Operating, Managing & Marketing Public and Proprietor owned

Golfing Facilities

“Golf Courses, Driving Ranges, Par 3’s, Pitch & Putt and Adventure Golf facilities”

Contact:0121 622 2708

ROI 056 777 [email protected]


Selling - The Facts

PROPERTY MATTERS

If you are looking to sell your golfcourse your two most likely ques-tions are: �How am I going to findthe right buyer?� and �how can I

maximise the sale price?�Finding the right buyer depends on

what type of golf buyer your businesswill appeal to. Assuming that you canpresent your golf course for sale in thebest possible light the key to getting thehighest price is almost always the abili-ty to generate genuine and fair competi-tion between a handful of seriousbuyers. Having done this you then needto keep the deal momentum going toconclude the transaction.

Finding the right buyer and gettingthe best price is easier said than done.The business of selling golf courses issmall and specialised. For example inthe UK, excluding group sales, between10 and 25 venues with 18 holes or morenormally change hands each year.

Golf course buyers include multiplesite operators, lifestyle buyers, newentrants to the golf market, developers,entrepreneurs and hoteliers.Determining the most likely buyer atthe outset influences whether youshould place the property confidentiallyto a select number of possible buyers orput it on the open market. The latterinvolves adverts, glossy brochures andpress releases.

The thought of �going public� withyour intention to sell can be dauntingfor many owners because of the unset-tling effect it can have on your staff andcustomers.

The process needs to be handledwell. The alternative is a confidentialsale and almost half of all golf coursessell this way. For obvious reasons manyowners prefer the confidential routesince if a buyer cannot be found onacceptable terms then no disruption iscaused to the operation of the business.

Confidential sales are appropriatewhen the most likely buyer is a chaingolf operator or a golf hotelier, ie atrade buyer. If your business will prima-rily appeal to lifestyle buyers or newentrants to the golf market then yourmost likely route is full public market-ing. This can sometimes be preceded bya confidential placing first to testwhether it can be successfully soldconfidentially.

Generating an element of genuinecompetition between buyers is a skilledprocess. It is important to get the timingright so that all serious bids are tabledaround the same time and to establishthe credibility of buyers.

With full public marketing it is notuncommon for the highest initial bids tobe undeliverable. The most commonproblem is that the purchaser is unableto raise the necessary finance for thedeal.

Should you sell the assets or thecompany? In most cases the assets aresold and the asking price normallyreflects this basis. The assets comprisethe physical property (land, buildings,fixtures, fittings and equipment free ofany debts or loans) plus the inherentgoodwill of the business (golf members,

customers, pre-booked business, data-bases, necessary trading licences etc)and intellectual property, eg tradingname.

Occasionally a company sale isadvantageous for both buyer and sellerand the norm is to agree the value of theassets and then make appropriate priceadjustments to reflect a company sale.The biggest financial factor is usuallythe treatment of long term debt withinthe company.

What kind of charges should youexpect if you employ a specialist golfadviser to broker a sale for you?Typically the fee is mainly �successdriven� and usually ranges between oneper cent and two and a half per cent ofthe agreed worth of the assets.WorthHow would the assets of your golfcourse be valued? The most reliableway is to carefully analyse the sales ofother similar golf courses and to makeappropriate adjustments to arrive at avalue for your property including takingaccount of prevailing market conditionsat the time.

The principles of worth for golfcourses differ depending on the mostlikely buyer. Lifestyle buyers as thename suggests often buy golf clubs forreasons other than maximising profit andtheir overall financial return on invest-ment. They like the idea of owning agolf course. Even if the club they wish tobuy is trading poorly they will often paya good price relative to its financialperformance in order to secure the deal.

In the second of his three-part series on buying and selling golf properties, PPC Golfpartner Mark Smith looks at how clubs can find the right buyer for the right price, whilstexamining other viable alternatives such as appointing a management contractor.


0870 241 4678www.ppcgolf.com

{Property Management}

If you’re thinking aboutbuying, selling, leasing ormanaging a golf operation,let’s talk.

Trade buyers such as commercialchain golf operators take a differentview. The existing trading performanceand uplifted trading potential in theirhands are the key drivers of value. Insuch cases golf businesses typically getsold on a multiplier of between six andten times maintainable EBITDA -�Earnings Before Interest Charges, Tax,Depreciation and Amortisation�.

Trophy venue golf courses or thosewith strong historical golfing pedigreecan get sold on much higher multipli-ers, say 15 to 20 times EBITDA. Forthe latter this is simply due to their rari-ty value. What does a multiplier onmaintainable EBITDA mean in prac-tice? Maintainable annual EBITDA invery simple terms can be regarded asthe cash surplus that the golf businessought to generate before payment ofloan interest, tax and deductions fordepreciation.

If a golf business has a maintainableEBITDA of £200,000 per annum and issold on a multiplier of eight then theassets sell for £1.6 million. £200,000annual return on an investment of £1.6million is a yield of 12.5 per cent. If youput £1.6 million in the bank earning fiveper cent interest you would receive£80,000 per annum with no risk.

If you invest in a golf course oncommercial grounds it makes sense thatyou will want a greater financial returnon your investment compared to say thesavings return from a bank depositaccount to reflect your risk and timespent in running the business.Management ContractsWhat if you do not want to continuerunning your golf business but at thesame time you do not want to sell itoutright? I referred to this scenario in theJuly issue of Golf Management Europe.Two possible options are leasing thecourse to a good quality golf operator orgranting a management contract.

Both of these routes can be exploredon a confidential basis. This is becauseif you still retain ownership you want tomake absolutely sure that whoever youhand over to via lease or managementcontract that they have the necessary

skills and proven track record to deliverwhat you need. Such parties can beidentified at the outset as possiblecandidates to approach without theneed for open market advertising tofind them.

Lease agreements are typicallybetween ten to 30 years depending onthe level of capital investment that youare requesting the tenant to make at hisown cost. The higher the tenant�s finan-cial outlay, the longer the lease termthey require to recoup their investment.Lease DealsThere are numerous ways to structurelease deals to satisfy the risk andreward aspirations of you as the courseowner. Fundamentally however thetenant will want an acceptable return onhis investment of both time and moneyin running your business.

The rent that the tenant can afford topay you will therefore be correlated to apercentage of the maintainable EBIT-DA of the property in their hands. Ifsubstantial capital expenditure is notrequired on their behalf then typicallythey can afford to pay you as landlordaround 40 per cent to 55 per cent oftheir maintainable EBITDA as rent.

With management contracts anyrequired future capital investment in theproperty normally remains your respon-sibility as course owner. The manage-ment contractor will run the business onyour behalf but essentially the financialrisk of poor trading and the financialreward of good trading remains morewith you than for a lease arrangement.

Management contractors normallycharge a monthly fee with an annualperformance related bonus structure. Inthe same way as selling your golf busi-ness outright the best way to get theright lease or management contract dealis to approach a number of parties totest what is available to you.

If you would like to discuss anyaspects of this article in further detail orif you are interested in selling, leasingor granting a management contract thenyou can contact me via the propertysection at www.ppcgolf.com.

Hills and Moon


FEATURE

Taunton and Pickeridge GolfClub sits on a plateau, atopPickeridge Hill with stunningviews over the Vale of

Taunton. The plateau is on the north slope of

the Black Downs, some 500 feet abovethe village of Corfe with commandingviews eastwards towards Sedgemoorand north to Glastonbury Tor and theMendips. To the west lies the BrendonHills and Exmoor, while to the north arethe Quantock Hills.

�Why are the fairways at Tauntonand Pickeridge so undulating?� Thatwas my first and most obvious questionwhen I met up with Jeff Mills, thecourse manager at the 114-year oldclub.

�That�s easy�, was his reply, �Thecourse has been crafted from the site ofan ancient open cast limestone mineand the undulations and peaks are theresult of the digging and the heaps thatwere created when burning the stone toextract the lime.�

You don�t really believe the severityof the undulations until you see themclose up and this has obviously present-ed Jeff and his team of five staff withall sorts of problems when they have tobe cut.

�We�ve tried everything�, he said,�from fairway mowers that got stuck,suspended by the front cylinders andthe rear wheels between the sides of thepits, to the best solution so far whichwas a Jacobsen Tri-King, normally usedfor tees and surrounds.

�While this was great at gettingright down into the bottom of the undu-lations and cutting well, the main draw-back was its output and it took ages tocut a single fairway.�

However, Jeff�s problem has nowbeen resolved with more than a littlehelp from his local dealer, PJ Flegg ofOttery St Mary near Exeter. PredicamentPaul Watson, the general manager atFlegg�s, was aware of Taunton�spredicament and suggested to Jeff thatthey should look at one of the latestJacobsen fairway mowers, theSLF1880. The designation SLF standsfor Super Light Fairway mower and itquickly became apparent that this wasthe answer to Jeff�s problem.

�This machine really is the solution.For our particular course the SLF isexcellent. It performed really wellduring the demo, having the power toclimb easily and its contour hugging issuperb.

�That�s because it�s got 18� wide, 5�diameter cylinders and they follow theground like nothing else. It has a two-metre cutting width and it stripes well,so the presentation is excellent. It reallyis the answer to our prayers!�

So much so that Jeff has put forwarda presentation to his committee for afour-year turf equipment fleet renewalpackage that includes another SLF.

After witnessing the SLF in action,Jeff took me on a tour of the coursewhich gave me the chance to get somebackground information on him and histeam.

From our conversation it�s obviousthat Jeff has a high profile down in thesouthwest. Not that I obtained the infor-mation easily. Jeff is a very modest manand I had to tease information out ofhim over the course of three hours!

He began his career at East DevonGolf Club and spent five years learninghis trade. He then moved to Exeter Golfand Country Club for 11 years beforereturning to East Devon for a furtherthree years. From there he went toWoodbury Park where he was involvedin the construction stage through togrowing in and was course manager fora while when the club was purchasedby Nigel Mansell.

The fairways at Taunton and Pickeridge Golf Club in Somerset are reminiscent of a greenmoonscape, with some of the most severe undulations seen on any golf course in the UK.Kevin Marks paid a visit to this unique golf course to see them up close and personal.


In all he spent eight years atWoodbury. The result of this is that forthe past 28 years he has been eitherhead greenkeeper or course manager atthese clubs in the southwest.

He joined the 750-member Tauntonand Pickeridge club eight years ago andhasn�t regretted a single moment. Hehas a great team and is fully committedto training and raising the profile of hisindustry.

His staff are loyal, hardworking andall are trained to NVQ level 2 or 3.Roger Beale joined as a 15-year old, 38years ago and Kevin Yard has been atthe club for 25 years.

Kevin is a first-class mechanic andgreenkeeper and the results could beseen when I visited the shed to see aneight-year old Tri-King with 2,807hours on the clock and still with itsoriginal bottom blades!CommitteeAnother benefit is a very supportivecommittee, who not only appreciate hisgreenkeeping ability, but also allow himtime to pass on his experience tostudents at The Cannington Centre atBridgwater College. He is also amember of the BIGGA National Boardand is Liaison Officer for the GTC.

Conservation and the ecology of thecourse are also high on the agenda forJeff. There is a badger sett at a secretlocation on the course, which requiressympathetic management.

His has a detailed conservation planthat runs into many pages and is active-ly involved with the Somerset WildlifeTrust. SafeguardThe Trust, which has more than 18,000members and manages more than 80nature reserves, aims to safeguard thecounty�s wildlife and wild places fortoday�s generation and those thatfollow. It works with landowners, localbusiness and government to promoteconservation and Jeff is activelyinvolved, regularly organising tours ofthe course for groups of up to 40members.

He has found that this is a positiveway to improve the perception of golfcourses in the community and demon-strates that they can be integrated intoconservation work.

Last year he conducted a survey forthe Somerset Butterfly Group identify-ing as many of the species as possible.Once a week, for a two hour period,during spring to early summer Jefftrapped and identified a large numberof species with the help of TonyLiebert, a volunteer with the group.

After saying goodbye and drivingaway looking down on the spectacularTaunton Vale, I could reflect on acontented man who cares passionatelyabout his profession, his staff and hissurroundings. The only other thing hewould appear to need is more hours inthe day.

Landmark Issue

REVIEW

When, in March, 1997 welaunched a questionnaireprior to the birth of GolfManagement Europe, it

was being whispered that the golf indus-try was in danger of striking a recession.Perhaps policy dictated a leaf out of thebook of a French general: �I amsurrounded on all sides; I shall attack.�

Word had got around that in themid-1990s new constructions had falledby a good 45 per cent. This gave muchfood for thought but further researchrevealed that while only 40 per cent ofthe UK population played golf, at least15 per cent wanted to.

The rapid growth of High Streetoutlets aimed at undercutting profes-sionals in club shops assisted a popu-lar trend. Greater television coverageon Sky TV encouraged youngsters

to look to golf and the beginnermarket started to flourish

and not only in theUK.

Something akin to a golf revolutionswept the country and is still sweepingSweden. In warmer European climesteenagers inspired by Seve Ballesterosand other emerging Spaniards fuelledinterest to an unprecedented scale.

It was time, therefore, for GolfManagement Europe to sprout itswings, ignore any blips and set our stallout in the hope that the magazine wouldbe well received in an already congest-ed market.PrinciplesHappily, that hope was not misplacedand this month marks the 50th issue.That first edition carried a declarationof principles and intent. Nothing haschanged in that respect. GolfManagement Europe is the first trulyindependent business magazine dealingexclusively with golf and speciallycatering for the increased demandsfaced by the industry.

We have always acknowledged thestrength of golf remains in the clubs. !

Nine years ago this month, the first issue of Golf Management Europe was published tocoincide with the 1997 Ryder Cup at Valderrama. As we celebrate our fiftieth issue, editorJohn Vinicombe (pictured below) reflects on the changes in the industry these past years.



And it was from the clubs that 75per cent of those questioned came thereassuring answer that a magazine suchas ours would be beneficial to theindustry as a whole.

The concept remains the same - toprovide in-depth news, profiles andfeatures designed to inform, educateand advise all those concerned in thegame. The industry proved ready for aninfluential and authorative publicationthat understood and met the needs ofthe European golfing fraternity.

Our first feature focussed on LaManga and we quoted Bill Deedes,former minister and editor of the DailyTelegraph and still golfing in his 90s.�If I was allowed just one last wish, itwould be to play the South Course at LaManga.�

Other Spanish courses have gainedequally great reputations but La Mangawas the first that really drew golfersfrom the UK and elsewhere in largenumbers to enjoy the sunshine andquality of the greenkeeping art.

Sifting through our last 49 issues areconstant reminders of healthy salesfigures by equipment specialists. In late1997 Callaways reported record netsales of $257.4m for the third quarter ofthat year. Nothing has halted that trend.

Over the next ten years the numberof golfers in the UK was predicted bythe Henley Centre to increase by a thirdto a staggering 4.7m. Who is to say thatthe figure is not now way past the 5mmark?MonitoredChanges in golf have been carefullymonitored in the magazine. By the late1990s it was becoming increasingly thedone thing to shed metal spikes and gofor the softer plastic variety. Alsobecoming a part of the teaching strategywere simulators and swing analysers asthe public turned more and more toelectronic aids.

Meanwhile, club head sizes weregetting larger and larger and we notedthe reaction of the Royal & Ancient.They expressed concern over thespring-like effect of clubs. Since 1984there had been a rule prohibiting a club-face from having, �the effect at impactof a spring or any other effect whichwould unduly influence the movementof the ball.�

We took no sides but gave space toDonald Steel, wearing his architectbonnet, on the subject of new technolo-gy. His opinion was that it loaded thestakes increasingly more in favour ofthe player.

Now president of the EGU, Steelhas more power to his elbow. At thetime he told us: �It is up to the R&Aand the USGA to examine and curtailthe distance the ball now travels or eventhe most fearsome courses will nolonger constitute a severe enough exam-ination befitting championship status.

�Both bodies need to take a vigor-ous lead and not be carried on by eventsin order to avoid much longer courses.Ever since the game began people havetried to manufacture equipment to sendthe ball further.

�But enough is enough and I thinkthe stage has been reached when thechampionship courses need to be fresh-ened-up and modernised, nothing toodrastic, but changing the placement ofsome bunkers, that�s all.�

This year�s Open fully vindicatedSteel�s view. Many came to grief inHoylake�s wickedly revetted trapsexcept Tiger Woods whose coursemanagement skills were a revelation ashe rarely employed his heaviest artillerybut relied instead on placing the ball toadvantage. Surely that is what the gamehas always been about and not justblasting away from the tee.

On the subject of courses our admi-ration for Terry Matthews was fullyexpressed when he threw his hat intothe ring on behalf of Wales to stage the2009 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor.

And the 1990s also saw the creationof the K Club and it deservedly won theright to host this year�s Ryder Cup inthat hotbed of golfing enthusiasmmaking it a first time for Ireland.Considering that construction began in1993 it is nothing short of remarkablethat in 13 years the K Club has risen tosuch eminence.

Not every ambitious projectachieved a desired result. East SussexNational, after twice staging theEuropean Open, changed hands morethan once since a £32.5m launch. Nowa fine hotel has recently been completedand the two courses, a good deal lessexpensive than in the early days, are

doing good business. But it remains tobe seen if ESN can host anotherEuropean Championship although MikeHunt, the owner, has great expectations.

If ever a man best typified the spiritof the millennium it was DieterKostermann, a 54 year-old German whoacquired Brocket Hall on a long lease.From his Hong Kong power base, thechairman of CCA Holdings struck whilethe iron was hot and three years afterthe third Baron Brockett, Charles Niall-Cain was jailed following an attemptedinsurance fraud involving very expen-sive cars.

Our visit to the ancestral home ofCharlie Brockett concentrated more onthe two splendid courses so beautifullymanicured by the Ely brothers Nigeland Mark.

We have always maintained thatthose unsung specialists who work clos-est to golf are very important peopleand merit all the publicity they receive.

Surely one of the phenomenons ofgolf today is the astonishing growth ofgolf in Sweden and success of theirgolfers on the world stage. It was 1999that we featured the country that onlygets to play six months of the year. Witha population of around 9m there had tobe a reason for golf taking off. Wethought an important factor was in 1987when Volvo�s sponsorship of the PGAEuropean Tour began.

Yet, on closer inspection, the seedsof the upsurge started long before thatand was down to Victor Seffenburg inthe mid-1890s. Although Sweden had towait until 1929 until its first 18-holecourse was opened near Stockholm, bythe end of WW2 the country had 3,000golfers playing at 22 clubs. Look atthem now!

The present number of clubs is wellpast the 450 mark each with an averageof 1,200 members. Of the 600,000golfers, 90,000 are under 20 and 30 percent female. Charles de Haan camestraight out saying that the contrast withthe way golf in the UK is run couldn�tbe greater compared to Sweden.

Our contributor observed that theUK suffered from too many differentgolfing bodies whereas there is onlyone in Sweden albeit with threeoffshoots but all concentrated in thesame building.


ELY

E Y

www.elygolfconstruction.com

ELYELY GOLFInternational GolfCourse Constructionand Renovation

J. & E. Ely Ltd49 Woodlands RoadSonning CommonReading RG4 9TD

Reading, United KingdomTel: +44 118 972 2257Email: [email protected]

Appointed contractor for the renovation work undertaken atRoyal Liverpool for the 2006Open Championship

On a far more modest note wereported on the scene in Belgium. Atthe start of 2000 all 76 courses wereprivately owned and the number ofgolfers listed at 34,500 from a popula-tion of 11m.

Yet the game was starting to sproutin Russia. Nick Faldo and the UnitedGolf Federation of Russia got togetherto form the Nick Faldo National GolfInstitute in central Moscow. SaidFaldo: �Golf has a great future inRussia and Eastern Europe generally.�CommercialBack in the UK the R&A hived off itscommercial activities into a newcompany structure in the biggest shake-up in 250 years and legally separatingthe championship, commercial andrule-making sides of the R&A from itsmembers.

It created a more tax-efficient wayto invest in golf and planning to doublethe amount world-wide to £50mbetween 2004 and 2010.

The property market was alwaysbuzzing. American Golf Corporation,the world�s biggest golf course opera-tor, put its 23 clubs in the UK up forsale with a price tage of £50m. Thisopened potential for new investorswhile smaller golf businesses were saidto be in increasing demand.

Clubhaus, the golf, health andfitness operator, underwent not only achange of name but new direction.

It had hovered on the brink of bank-ruptcy. The once bullish company,valued at £56.3m saw managing direc-tor Charlie Parker lead a managementbuy out, the name changing to TheClub Company.

Last year Crown Golf acquiredAmerican Golf UK for £42m whileSean Quinn, the Irish cement tycoon,outbid for Wentworth, turned his atten-tions to The Belfry. The Quinn Groupcame up with £186m and that clinchedthe deal with De Vere who continue torun the hotel site on a 25 year manage-ment contract.

With the dawn of 2000 the internetcame into far greater prominence asnews editor David Bowers (picturedabove right) revealed in a searchingarticle. Based on his findings in theUSA, he revealed that most Americancourses had enjoyed an on-line pres-ence for yonks. In Great Britain thefollow-up was pitifully slow.

But that is no longer the case. Thevast majority of clubs here and inEurope now have websites while forthose who no longer venture onto thefairways there are any amount of golfgames to play.

It has all happened in less than tenyears since Golf Management Europefirst appeared. By the time we celebrateour centenary the game will havemoved on to new and exciting freshpastures.

JOHN GREASLEY LIMITEDAshfield House, 1154 Melton Road, Syston, Leicester LE7 2HB

Telephone: 0116 269 6766 Fax: 0116 269 6866

Email: [email protected]

�Specialist in Golf Course Construction�

Wychwood Park, Royal BirkdaleRudding Park, Gog Magog

Chilwell Manor, Goodwood

BAGCC

A Design too Far?


COURSE DESIGN

Golf is still a growthmarket, albeit in a globalsense as opposed to atightly focussed domestic

practice. When the USA architects anddesigners spotted a �boom� in WesternEurope back in the 1990s they thoughtnothing of touching down at Heathrow,Charles de Gaulle and Frankfurt andspreading the gospel according to UncleSam.

Local lads might have been slow torecognise the danger to their livelihoodsof such free-market movement oflabour, and who can blame them giventhat it was a time of plenty.Bread and ButterNow the boot is, if not on the other foot,at least unlaced and ready for a buff andpolish. The traditionally busy market ofnew course design - the UK and Ireland- has slowed down to the odd nine-holeextension and bunker refurb; architectsneed to look elsewhere for their breadand butter.

However, with the rapid decelera-tion of the domestic US market, theprospect of jam on that bread is slim asAmerican architects eye all points East.Once again the �bluecoats are coming�and this time they have experience ofbreaking into new markets and, spare usall please, they have statistics on theirside.

But before the inevitable and ultraslick �Power-Point� presentation indi-cates that the battle has commenced, itis worthwhile looking at where thebattles are to be fought. Just where arethe new golf courses going to be builtover the next twenty years? Where arethey being built right now?

Dr Andrea Sartori at the KPMGGolf Business Forum in Cyprus gave avery upbeat appraisal of new coursebuilds for the �EMA� region - Europe,Middle East, Africa - (as one wouldexpect) and it was hard to disagree witheverything he said, but that�s wherestatistics and supposition get you.

In short he pointed out - usingfigures garnered from the EGA anddeveloped by KPMG - that the numberof registered golfers has finallyoutstripped supply, the first time this hashappened since the recorded periodbegan back in 1985. In raw data thisamounts to a continuous growth over thelast 20 years with average annual supplyof new courses running at four per centand the average annual growth indemand running at six per cent.

While the study that Sartori present-ed is particularly in-depth and technicalthere are a few basic points that are ofthe highest importance to the architectsand other people whose living dependsupon new golf courses being demanded.

Firstly that the biggest growth indemand currently comes from �frontier�countries of golf such as the CzechRepublic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary,Poland and the Ukraine with a blanketterm of �Middle East� being regionnumber two. !

According to all of the so-called �experts�, golf is set to boom again across Europe at anunprecedented rate, with more than 3,800 new golf courses needed by 2020 just to keep upwith demand. However, Trevor Ledger (pictured below) begs to differ...


www.swangolfdesigns.comINTERNATIONAL GOLF COURSE ARCHITECTS

t f+44 (0) 1277 [email protected]

+44 (0) 1277 896300

! !

! !

Past President of the European Institute of Golf Course Architects

Over 20 new courses built in the last ten years

DAVID WILLIAMS GOLF DESIGNGolf Course Architects

From conception... through construction... to completionAn integrated ‘one-stop’ approach to Complete Golf Design

Course audits, renovations and improvementsTelephone: (01492) 512070 Fax: (01492) 512077

Email: [email protected] Web: www.williamsgolf.co.uk


However, while these regions arealready seeing a growth in supply toaccommodate this growth in demand,the big question is �where next�?

Which is where some surprises areperhaps to be found. With all thingstaken into consideration the net result ofthe KPMG research across the region isthat an additional 3,873 golf courses areneeded over the next 14 years.

Put away the calculators, thatamounts to a staggering 23 new golfcourses to be finished every month -assuming that 23 are opened nextmonth, and the month after etc. Asteady opening of 23 golf courses everymonth for the next 14 years equals a lotof fees for architects�DubiousSome of those architects believe thefigures to be dubious at best, JeremyPern for one: �I don�t believe that weneed 3,800 new golf courses by 2020, it�srubbish and I can�t understand how theycame to these figures. I think it�s horren-dous that KPMG produce these statisticsand people believe them. It�s a joke.�

If the joke has the ring of truth aboutit though, who will be laughing theloudest? Eastern Europe looks set tomore than double its market share tofive per cent of the golf course supplyin Europe, Mediterranean Europe isapparently still the best bet with anincrease from 18 to 33 per cent of themarket share, a phenomenal amount ofcourses with Turkey and Portugal beingclear winners according to the KPMGresearch - water availability being anunanswered question at this point.

Which begs the question, who isgoing to design these courses?Currently the European Institute of GolfCourse Architects has 108 architects

registered as members - these includegraduate members who might not beactively involved in architecture rightnow.

The American Society of GolfCourse Architects have 189, and anumber of them wear the most hideousblazers on the planet. Sartorial eleganceaside, this means that there are close to300 golf course architects likely to bevying for the business that crops up inthe EMA region, right? Wrong.

These figures do not take intoaccount the golf course architects thatare not members of either body and,conversely, does not take into accountthose US based architects that are notactively seeking work outside of the�Home of the free�.

Of this latter group though theremust be fewer and fewer; about 125golf courses opened in the USA in 2005compared to 150 in 2004 and the record399 that opened in 2000. Is it safe toassume that with a 69 per cent decreasein new courses in the US Domesticmarket over five years, there will be asignificant increase in US architectsventuring overseas?

Another unknown. But even therelative unknowns from the USA haveestablished some kind of foothold in theEuropean market - ref: Gil Hansedesigning the Craighead course at Crail,Fife.

Not all is despair over the water;Golfdom reports that there are 308courses under construction in the USAright now with 373 in planning and afurther 251 proposals on paper.Nevertheless, the supply of golf coursearchitects is great and the currentdemand - Sartori�s predictions notwith-standing - is small.

So again, which designers are likelyto be household names over the nextdecade or so? Easy - Jack Nicklaus andRTJ II. This is not because these guysare the best architects in the world -maybe, maybe not - but because theaverage golfer and the average golfdeveloper (who almost always happensto be a very average golfer) will haveheard of both Nicklaus and Jones andfamiliarity is soothing.

More than this, there is evidence thata �named� designer, a signature if youwill, goes a long way towards guarantee-ing success for a project. KPMG madethis connection in their 2005 Cost Surveyin the EMA region: �Regarding factorsinfluencing the selection of an architectwe found that 70 per cent of our respon-dents considered credentials, brandrecognition and reputation as the mostimportant influence upon their choice.�

And it is hard for someone to bemore recognised than Jack Nicklaus inthe golfing world. Robert Trent Jones isalso a name that has, over fifty years orso, been at the forefront of golf coursedesign around the globe - the brand isrecognised and the developer likes that,despite the signature golf course beingconsiderably more expensive to developin the first instance.

Roger Pride - director of marketing,Visit Wales has seen golf as a greatattractor to the principality over recentcampaigns and is aware of �Signature�status: �There is a lot of evidence thatadding Signature designers to a courseproject helps both with general PR andin creating some kind of premium toinfluence pricing policy etc.

�Actually when I say �there is a lotof evidence� I don�t have access to anyparticular research but I assume that !


this evidence exists, otherwise whywould developers pay such a premiumto work with a signature designer?�Good point, �it works because it works�kind of thing.

Nevertheless there is an element ofthe �Emperor�s New Clothes� about allof this. If enough people in the crowd(the crowd being potential members andbuyers of real estate) recognise thatpaying a good deal extra to live on aNicklaus signature course that is only asgood as, say, a Fred Bloggs Golf CourseArchitect design, then the whole thingmight just implode and fade away.

After all, just how valuable arebragging rights once the brag has beenexhausted? But this is unlikely and,anyway, is the use of a famous namesuch a bad thing per se?

Jeremy Slessor, managing directorof European Golf Design - who workwith a number of signature designers -doesn�t think so: �Who designs a Jaguarcar? It�s not the designer that gets thecredit, it�s the brand.

�People are buying signature designand the proof is in the eating; they get ateam of people behind the principal andthey are entirely competent and that isdemonstrable by the work that has beenproduced.

�If we were selling the lie thatMonty sits down between rounds andworks on a grading plan then we wouldbe rightly open to claims of false repre-

sentation. But none of our clients buyinto that, no-one expects them [the proslike Montgomerie and Els] to be doingthat.�

So, if the signature designers aremost likely to create a successful finan-cial venture for a developer, how doesthe �non-signature� architect hope tocompete with these guys when the 23courses per month come up for tender?

Jeremy Pern has his own particularviews on that: �When a developer hiresme, he gets me; I actually do all thework. I hold the hand of the developerall the way through the project and amresponsible for everything from permit-ting to handover, I�m not sure that thesignature guys offer that same level ofcommitment.� ReputationAnd it is the lack of former glory andglobal reputation that Pern believesspurs him to great things: �A non-signa-ture designer has to work hard on thedesign of the golf course because that�sall my reputation is based upon. I liveand die by my reputation as an archi-tect, not because of what I did when Iwas 25 and wearing a green blazer.�

Having said all that, Pern is actuallya fan of signature designers, well someof them at least. �They [the multimillion dollar signature courses] aregood for all of us because they �up thelevels�. What I am against is peoplewho cannot draw and cannot manage asite and just turn up for a photo.

�Nicklaus is a good designer, Faldois a good designer but there are plentyof others who aren�t and are just jump-ing on the bandwagon.�

The burning issue however is justhow big this bandwagon is and whetherit might trundle out of control. The lasttime a big proclamation was madeabout the number of golf coursesrequired in a set period saw a panicbuild of golf courses by just aboutanyone with a few acres to spare.

A lot of money was lost, a lot ofcompanies ruined and a nasty taste leftin the mouths of a public that grew sickof golf developments cropping upeverywhere.

The answer is probably that theregions identified by KPMG as devel-opment hotspots will probably be thebest places for an architect to be. Theavailability of water and the continuedaccess to cheap air travel (despiteterrorist threats and oil prices) will bemitigating factors in many markets.

The availability of sizeable chunksof real estate with relevant permits andzoning will continue to be a problemand the unease surrounding nationsclose to Iraq and Iran will no doubtdepress an otherwise buoyant market.

One thing is certain, there will notbe 23 courses opening next month, orthe month after that. Nor will there be3,870 courses springing up in the next14 years, no way, not ever. No.

JOHN JACOBS GOLF ASSOCIATESINTERNATIONAL GOLF COURSE ARCHITECTS AND DESIGN CONSULTANTS

Established 1985

70 Whitesmead RoadStevenage SG1 3JZ

Tel: 01438 221026Fax: 01438 229271

Mobile: 07770 981618

Email: [email protected]

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‘Pay for Play’ is born


OPINION

As the Ryder Cup is playedout at Ireland�s wonderfulK Club, surely there is nogreater endorsement for the

use of global positioning systems(GPS). Amazingly there are still somepeople for whom the use of GPS is stillan anathema.

The Royal & Ancient sanctioned itsuse, yet still people bemoan progress.Presumably these are the same peoplewho would have complained about thegutty ball replacing the featheries, orthe passing of the persimmon wood.Well, if the venue for the greatest teamcompetition in the sport can welcomeprogress with open arms why can�t thestuffed shirts?

The K Club like many others is keento offer its members and visitors thebest possible golfing experience. And todo that it has installed the ProLinksystem - distributed throughout Europeby Elumina on its new fleet of 120buggies.

ProLink�s industry-leading, solu-tions-based GPS system is installed atboth the Palmer and Smurfit courses,two of Ireland�s most highly regardedchampionship golf facilities. Whenfaced with choosing a GPS system tocomplement and enhance its operationsand customer experience, the first Irishgolf club to host a Ryder Cup selectedProLink ahead of all other competitors.

Prolink is now installed at more than700 courses worldwide and features atPGA Tour venues, such as Sea PinesResort in Hilton Head, as well as the1997 Ryder Cup venue Valderrama.CounterpartsThe K Club has joined such prestigiousEuropean counterparts as Alicante, LaMoraleja and La Sella golf clubs inSpain, Les Bordes in France, BrocketHall, Kilworth Springs and WhittleburyPark in England, in offering theProLink system.

One of the most recent to join thatprestigious list is the Four SeasonsResort Provence at Terre Blanche, aspectacular property located just milesfrom the Cote d�Azur. Named theworld�s best leisure resort in 2005 by theGallivanter�s Guide, the Four SeasonsResort Provence at Terre Blanche utilis-es ProLink at both of its two 18-holecourses: Le Chateau and Le Riou.

�The recent installation of ProLink�ssystem on our new fleet of 125 cars hasadded a significant new dimension toour golf resort,� commented MichaelO�Donnell, director of golf at TerreBlanche. �With its excellent visual pres-entation the system provides a fast andaccurate way to aid golfers with coursemanagement, while greatly increasingefficiency on the operations side.�

The Four Seasons Golf Club TerreBlanche and The K Club are two of

Europe�s premier golf destinations andElumina is delighted to have the oppor-tunity to provide the ProLink system toboth venues.

ProLink�s position as the GPSindustry leader in reliability, customerservice and player amenities isenhanced by its association with suchprestigious properties. The EluminaGroup is, in our opinion, now the ulti-mate GPS company across Europe andthe Middle East, supplying systems forboth buggy and handheld operations!

Following recent success, Eluminais one of the fastest-growing businessesin the golf industry building theProLink brand through its offices in theUK, Spain, France, Middle East, SouthAfrica and soon to be Australia.

Elumina have already installed at 30courses in the UK and expect to installat another 70 courses in the next year.The ProLink system is becoming a�must have� facility rather than a luxu-ry facility for the more upmarket golfresort!

Groups such as DCG and the SurreyNational have installed the ProLink GPSsystem throughout their eight coursesand other groups are following suit. Allof Elumina�s courses have boasted thattheir buggy roundages have increasedthereby increasing revenue for the cluband golfers have returned on a regularbasis to use the GPS system.

Although GPS devices were legalised less that a year ago, they have rapidly become bigmoney earners for many golf clubs throughout Europe. International marketing director ofElumina Iberica, Angela Catlin, gives us her view on the GPS market today.


This proves that people are willingto pay as little as £2.50 per round to usethe ProLink system - less than a courseplanner. Clubs and golfers alike are alsoenjoying the magnificent live leader-board scoring system in addition to theexceptionally clear graphics and accu-rate yardages. QualityElumina and ProLink are outsellingtheir nearest competitors on a ratio of10/1 which is the true test of quality.ProLink is now featured at more than700 resorts, private and public coursesworldwide, and some of the world�smost respected golf managementcompanies have also adopted thesystem: Billy Casper Golf, EvergreenAlliance Group, Kemper Sports, andPacific Golf Management all engageProLink.

The company�s leasing arm -Elumina Finanzia - provides courseswith a flexible, accessible financingmechanism for purchasing golf cartfleets custom equipped with ProLinkGPS.

Last year Elumina pioneered asuccessful multi-national advertisingprogram - GP Ads - which enablescourses to offset the cost of, and profitfrom, the installation of ProLink GPS.

Elumina now through its innovativeleasing arm, Elumina Finanzia, haslaunched to the industry throughoutEurope and the Middle East its latestPay For Play facility.

Historically, eight out of ten systemsin the US have been sold on a Pay ForPlay basis. What this basically brings tothe course is all the benefits of theProLink system without any financialrisk and this must be a win win situa-tion for any golf club consideringinstalling GPS and in my opinion, thereis only one solution and that is ProLink!

The financing and advertisingprograms provide a complete, turn-keymarketing solution capable of fundingcapital projects, equipment purchasesand other on-and off-course programs.

What�s more, Elumina�s successfuladvertising arm, GPAds� client baseincludes government organisations,blue-chip companies and high-endluxury goods distributors, which hassubsidised the cost of installing theProLink system through advertising onthe screens at each of the golf coursesthroughout the UK and Europe

Last year, ProLink and Eluminawere officially endorsed as the officialGPS of The PGAs of Europe, andElumina is ideally positioned toincrease installations of ProLink GPSsystems at public, private and resortcourses in a wide variety of countriesand economic environments.

So whether you have a small fleet often buggies or a large fleet of a 100buggies you should contact Elumina todiscuss your options. 700 courses and15 million golfers worldwide cannot bewrong!

For a live demo visit www.eluminaiberica.comor contact [email protected]

or telephone Jeremy Moore on +44 1789 207419

Portfolio


01473 270000

Jacobsen in CommandRansomes Jacobsen, a Textron

company, has introducedInCommand, a new control system

for the Jacobsen PGM22 and GreensKing 522/526 pedestrian mowers.The system comprises of a new D-

handle that improves operatorcomfort and makes the OPC easier to

control, together with a new vari-able speed control feature.

01480 226800

Toro on TourToro is hitting the road this autumnin a move to show greenkeepers itslatest new products. It’s all part ofan exciting new Toro on Tour series

of roadshows - organised by LelyUK, and involving around 20 of its

local dealers - at which the compa-ny will also be unveiling its brand

new Reelmaster 5010 range of fair-way mowers.

0141 814 3366

Investment at CollegeAs part of £300,000 investment in

new turf maintenance equipment atBridgwater College’s Cannington

Centre for Land-based Studies, a newWiedenmann Terra Spike XP6 has

been purchased for use on their 9-hole, 18-tee course. Head greenkeper,

Hugh Murray, has been using thenew machine on his greens, tees,

surrounds since February

01473 270000

Fleet upgraded at NorfolkThe Norfolk G&CC has recently takendelivery of a package of new coursemaintenance equipment, valued atjust over £100,000, from Ransomes

Jacobsen dealer, Bartram Professionalof Norwich. Included in the packageis a Greens King VI, an LF3800 light

fairway mower, an AR250 semi-roughrotary mower and a Groom Master II

powered bunker rake.

01473 270000

Light work at Deer ParkThe latest addition to the courseequipment at Deer Park G&CC is a

Jacobsen LF3800 light fairwaymower, which has been purchased

from Fairways GM the local RansomesJacobsen dealer based at Kinross.

Owned by the JW Muir Group, DeerPark features a range of facilities

unlikely to be found at a single loca-tion anywhere else in Scotland.

0871 220 5353

Primo MAXX gets Royal okScotts’ new liquid turf growth

regulator, Primo MAXX, is showingsome astounding results in trialsbeing carried out on Royal Ascot

Golf Club’s new 18-hole course,which opened in May this year.

Course manager Alistair Holehousehas made three applications of

Primo MAXX on his greens since theend of April with stunning results.

01359 272000

Solution for Climate ChangeBarenbrug UK has launched a new

mixture to help greenkeeperssuccessfully respond to the chal-

lenges of climatic and environmentalchange. BAR 10 with RTF has been

designed to provide users with amixture that is capable of with-

standing both drought and waterlog-ging together with unrivalled recov-

ery and superior wear tolerance.

01473 270000

Tancred new Product TrainerRansomes Jacobsen, the Ipswich-

based manufacturer of turf mainte-nance equipment, has appointed

Geoff Tancred as product trainer forthe UK. Reporting to Jason King,

customer support and trainingmanager, Tancred will be responsiblefor the product training of Ransomes

Jacobsen dealership staff and end-users throughout the UK.

With John Deere, you get more than just equipment. It’s true, we have a

full line of equipment for your course: from fairway mowers to greens

mowers, aerators to utility vehicles, compact tractors, collection systems,

bunker rakes, etc. But that’s just the beginning. Our product support is

second to none. We have probably more parts depots worldwide than any

other company, getting you the parts you need, when you need them.

And our financing can fit any course’s budget.

You know the name. Now see for yourself the difference John Deere can

make on your course. Contact your local John Deere dealer today.

www.johndeere.co.uk Reliability is our Strength

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John Deere Ltd., Harby Road, Langar, Nottingham NG13 9HT, Telephone 01949 860491

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