GCMA 2023 Conference: Keynote speakers revealed and registration information

Ahead of registration opening on Friday June 16, we unveil the keynote speakers for the GCMA 2023 Conference – which centres on the theme of ‘Team Culture – and details of pricing and registration options.

‘A shared passion for achieving an outcome and the beliefs and values which develop within a group of individuals who have come together to achieve this outcome.’ 

The world has changed a lot and in many ways in the past few years. The Covid19 pandemic enforced a sense of separation amongst society and in local communities that many people have never experienced before.

As an unexpected outcome of the pandemic, golf participation has grown to levels not experienced in a long time, leading to huge opportunities for our industry. At the same time, we’re faced with some significant challenges – the economic climate and a return to a more ‘normal’ way of life is putting pressure on member retention.

Staff recruitment and retention is also putting many hurdles in front of us that we’re going to need to overcome if we’re to continue to operate our golf clubs successfully in the future.

Many golf clubs also continue to struggle with the differing needs and demands of members and the often fractious nature of relationships between Boards, Committees and the employed management team.

Equality, diversity and inclusion is also playing an increasingly important role in society and as leaders we have to be equipped and prepared to deal with the ever evolving nature of our society.

Golf clubs are special places though, they bring people together from different backgrounds and with many different motivations and reasons for being part of their local leisure hub. A positive team culture for everyone involved – staff, members and the wider community – can make a huge difference.

Our amazing line up of keynote speakers, as well as presenters and facilitators of the many workshops and breakout sessions throughout the event, will be providing you with know how, insights and inspiration on how to improve your leadership skills and capacity for generating, developing and maintaining a successful, healthy and sustainable model for team culture within your club.

It will give your teams, your members and the wider community a sense of value, a sense of pride and a sense of belonging.

Keynote Speakers

Owen Eastwood works with leaders, organisations and teams on developing a competitive advantage through their performance environment and their leadership capability.

He regularly speaks, as well as presents and facilitates workshops to a wide range of corporate leadership teams across the world.

Owen’s first book, Belonging, was released in May 2021. It debuted in the Amazon Top 40 and has been No.1 ranked on Amazon for both Business Coaching and Business Management books.

Prior to his coaching career, Owen was an employment and sports lawyer and partner in the London law firm of Lewis Silkin.

Owen is a New Zealander (of Maori, English and Irish descent). He completed his LLB and BA (Political Studies) degrees at Otago University and his LLM (first class hons) at Auckland University. Owen qualified as a solicitor in both NZ and the UK.


Craig Haldane is a seasoned golf industry professional with more than 25 years of experience in golf. He is renowned for his ability to engage teams and creating a collaborative work environment that delivers results.

Craig has a unique combination of experience through working across five different countries in both course management and business operations.

Craig has spoken at numerous industry conferences and events. His presentations are always engaging, informative and actionable, leaving audiences with practical insights that they can apply to their own clubs.

In his upcoming keynote, Craig will share his insights on engaging teams and building bridges within golf
clubs. He will explore the critical role and relationship that the course manager and club manager play in creating a collaborative work environment that delivers exceptional results.


Kevin Fish has more than 20 years of experience in the club industry. A former Club Manager at the Glen Golf Club in North Berwick he was named our UK Golf Club Manager of the Year in 2004 and in 2008 was the first Club Manager in Europe to be awarded the global designation CCM (Certified Club Manager).

Kevin went on to work for the National Governing Body for golf in Scotland for seven years.
He has been integral to the introduction of structured education for club managers throughout Europe and consistently tops the presenter charts sharing his knowledge of club governance, business planning, committee politics, customer service, finance and professional/personal development.

Kevin is now the director of Contemporary Club Leadership Ltd, his own training and consultancy business.


Registration fees

EARLY BIRD FEES FOR BOOKINGS RECEIVED BY 8th SEPTEMBER 2023

 GCMA member rateNon-member rate
Full Conference Package£370.00 + VAT = £444.00£470.00 + VAT = £564.00
Short Conference Package£325.00 + VAT = £390.00£430.00 + VAT = £516.00
Day Delegate Rate£205.00 + VAT = £246.00£255.00 + VAT = £306.00

FOR BOOKINGS RECEIVED FROM 9th SEPTEMBER 2023

 GCMA member rateNon-member rate
Full Conference Package£410.00 + VAT = £492.00£510.00 + VAT = £612.00
Short Conference Package£365.00 + VAT = £438.00£470.00 + VAT = £564.00
Day Delegate Rate£225.00 + VAT = £270.00£275.00 + VAT = £330.00

DETAILS OF CONFERENCE PACKAGES

Full Conference PackagePre-conference event on Sunday with buffet meal. 2-day registration fees.Tea/coffee and lunch daily. Conference dinner on Monday with pre-dinner drinks, meal with wine and entertainment.
Short Conference Package2-day registration fees.Tea/coffee and lunch daily.Conference dinner on Monday with pre-dinner drinks, meal with wine and entertainment.
Day Delegate Rate1 day registration fee.Tea/coffee and lunch.  

Booking opens Friday June 16.

By GCMA Content Team

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