Relation from 1st GBC
The Golf Business Conference took place on 16th - 21st April in Wroclaw, Poland. Over 100 delegates from 16 countries came to listen to top quality presentations provided by international experts. The Conference composed of golf tournament and 2 days of presentations. All the delegates rated the Confernece as well organized, interesting and informative and they also pointed out the great networking opportunities.
The Golf Poland Tournament which was played on the first conference day gathered nearly 30 players. Apart from early spring in Poland golf course was prepared very well and players enjoyed favourable conditions. They had a chance to win Toro workman and Club Car vehicle in Hole in One, what didn't happen this time. Dimitri van Hauwaert was the best in Longest Drive Competition on hole # 17 and Ian Butcher showed his precision and won the Nearest to Pin. Both of them got customized Callaway clubs. The 3rd place in tournament was taken by Gavin Long, the 2nd by Ĺukasz Wilk and great winner – Rob Maxfield donated his Callaway golf bag prize to Polish juniors. Thank you very much Rob!
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The next two days of the Conference were full of presentations prepared by the best international speakers and delegates' networking.
The first to speak was Keith Haslam from PGA Golf Management, who pointed out key points during golf development planing. He presented newest trends which are seen all over the world with multi purposes golf resorts as an example of future way. Interesting statements were also presented about club house, integral part of the golf course, where many misteakes can be made.
Jeremy Pern, golf course architect, who designed Toya Golf course stated in the next speach, that usually investors build one golf course. It is important to build it in proper way, especially because of golf architecture, which is costly and difficult to change later on.
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Doctor Falk Billion, international golf course valuer, presented financial aspects of golf course decisions. He summarised all the pitfalls he saw in golf development as: bad location, bad golf course site, bad master plan, bad building permit, bad business plan, bad funding and bad project management. Dr. Billion not only shown those mistakes but also spoke about key factors for financial success in building a golf course.
The next lecture was presented by Libor Jirasek, and was focused on European Union funds which can be golf projects. Detailed information and case studies gave the delegates opportunity to find interesting solutions for themselves.
After lunch sponsored by Syngenta, Steve Isaac from R&A presented the role and targets of R&A in international golf development. Interesting short movie about history of The Open as a television show was presented as well as history of this tournament.
Marek Podstolski, director of PGA of Poland was talking about situation in golf education in Poland and pointed out the important role, which highly qualified golf professionals have in number of golfers increase.
Representatives of PGAs of Europe, Leif Ohlsson and Mikael Sorling presented the organization history, structure and objectives. They also pointed out help programs for new, emerging markets in cooperation with R&A.
After presentations delegates had opportunity to take a part in Golfzon Longest Drive where Jan Lubieniecki was the winner and guided tour around Wroclaw old city square including Wroclaw University area. The gala dinner with prize ceremony took place in the oldest city restaurant and Flair bar show made a spectacular end of the second day.
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Peter Bradburn from Aphrodite Hills Golf Resort, Cyprus started the third day of the Conference with interesting presentation about golf architecture pitfalls and its consequences for future maintenance costs. The wide range of examples from all over the world shown as many details need to be taken in consideration and how good communitaction between investor, course architect, contractor and project manager is essential for golf course development.
Representative of CECTA – Terry Coates draw delegates' attention to important issue od golf travel market and its huge potential in Cental European countries. According to CECTA the value of this market by 2010 will reach 550 billion US dollars. The example of Austria which runned promotional program, gave an idea on how well organized promotion can add value of 150 millions euro to the market.
Andrzej Miekus from Smart Marketing Solution, which runs marketing for Polish Golf Union was presenting marketing of golf clubs and events. Interesting case studies showed importatnt role of precise planning and contact with golf members and clients.
Later Steve Isaac from R&A showed presentation about sustainable future of golf which is more and more important in all West European countries. This nature friendly way of golf course management is important because it preservs natural resources, creates wide nature areas and also helps marketing golf courses as enviromental friendly space.
Dean Cleaver from FEGGA was talking about greenkeeping and education of greenkeepers who plays an important role in providing good quality surface and conditions for golfers. Federation has a couple of interesting educational programs for greenkeepers which should be interesting for all golf courses, which want to keep the standards on high level.
Enviromental issues were also included in Jonathan Smith's from GEE presentation. Because of more and more regulations and restrictions in EU and because of need to preserve nature, he pointed out example solutions and proposals which could make golf course more enviromental friendly as well as save money.
The conference took place in 5 star Sofitel Hotel which provided the best sevice to all the delegates. The conference was hosted by Golf Poland Company and sponsored by Toro as Main Sponsor, Syngenta, Clubcar, Golfzon, Callaway, V-Motors and Eurobest.pl as Supporting Sponsors.
We would like to thank all the Honorary Partners: R&A, PGAs of Europe, PGA of Poland, Polish Golf Union, Romanian Gofl Federation, EGCOA, CECTA, FEGGA, Polish Chamber of Commerce, Golf Enviroment Europa, PGA Golf Management, PKIS.
Media Patrons: Golf Development World, Golf Business News, Golf Digest CZ&S, Sportplus, Manager Magazin, Golf.24, Golf & Life, Golf Mediatour, Golf Course Architecture.