In the loop: Need to know news in the golf industry this September

1. Women and Girls’ Golf Week proves a huge hit…
What’s happened: Governing bodies across the UK promoted a week of activities to increase participation and the results were very promising.

What does it mean? Georgia Hall capped off the week by winning the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes and her uplifting success certainly did the cause of increasing women and girls’ participation no harm at all. But, even accounting for that, England Golf, Scottish Golf, Wales Golf, the Irish Ladies Golf Union and The R&A will have been more than happy with the overall results.

The twitter hashtag #WhyIGolf generated more than 12 million impressions on the social media network, and reached 2.5 million people.  England Golf’s figures revealed there had been more than 200,000 views of video content on Facebook, with 1,000 people sharing their stories on Instagram – the spectrum covering four-year-olds on the range to experienced lady captains

North of the border, Scottish Golf even asked Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, and her cabinet to give the game a try. Andrew McKinlay, chief executive, said: “The reaction to Women and Girls’ Golf Week has been fantastic and shows what can be achieved when the GB&I governing bodies work together.

“This campaign was about raising awareness of the amazing players, volunteers and coaches currently involved in the game as
well as inspiring women and girls everywhere to give golf a try.

“The response we’ve had has been unprecedented and we intend to continue to work to ensure this enthusiasm carries
on, promoting opportunities that encourage women and girls to get involved in the sport at all levels.

2. BTME gets even BIGGA

What happened: BIGGA announced new innovations for BTME, in Harrogate next January, the highlight being Golf Course
Construction Live.

What does it mean? It’s often difficult for us to envisage what’s exactly required in a golf course renovation or reconstruction project but at BTME club and course managers, as well as greenkeepers, will be able to see such work taking place in front of their eyes.

There will also be an area of the exhibition that’s dedicated to new products, a golf simulator and a theatre where short seminars will take place. It’s all part of the evolution of the event, which will increase in size by up to 25% after BIGGA chiefs earlier this year announced moves to expand the annual exhibition.

3. David Leadbetter opens European academy HQ at GCMA member club
What happened: The legendary coach, who transformed Nick Faldo into a major winner during the 1980s, cut the ribbon at his new academy at Stoke Park.
What does it mean? Leadbetter described Stoke Part as “one of the world’s premier golf facilities” as he unveiled the latest of his more
than 30 training academies around the world.

Many of the world’s top golf coaches have gone through the Leadbetter Golf Academy certification and Stoke Park’s team of professionals have been undergoing the training programme and will now deliver it to members and visitors.

Stoke Park’s director of golf, Stuart Collier, who is a member of the GCMA, said: “This is wonderful news for all connected with Stoke Park, for David Leadbetter is a legend in golf coaching.  “Few, if any, in the world game can match his track record in golf coaching – or the success his students have achieved. “The opening of his academy’s European headquarters here at Stoke Park is a further exciting development and will be of great benefit for golf in the south”.

By Marie J. Taylor