Don’t fear the independent golfer scheme

Why clubs shouldn’t fear independent GOLFER SCHEMES

Strong clubs should “back themselves and not worry” about the independent golfer scheme, England Golf’s second in command told managers.

In an update on the new platform in a Hot Topics webinar, Richard Flint, the governing body’s chief operating officer, said giving nomadic players an official handicap was “not competing with club membership”.

Asked whether handing nonclub members a World Handicap System index was taking away a reason to be a member – harming both recruitment and retention – Flint said: “Handicap isn’t the biggest driver of why individuals join a golf club”.

He added: “Whether it’s social, whether it’s community, whether it’s competitive, handicap isn’t the big driver and certainly the insight and data tells us that.

“Of course, it’s an important part of golf club membership from a competitive element. We’re not concerned that this will take away from golf club membership.

“Individuals that want to join a golf club want [to do so] for many more reasons than purely a handicap. But if by offering that handicap to independent golfers we can increase avidness and regularity of play then, from a financial investment point of view, these individuals will see the benefit of golf club membership beyond purely that handicap and regular play.”

England Golf’s independent golfer initiative will launch later this month and will cost subscribers £40 a year.

As well as an official handicap, players will receive personal liability insurance and access to the My England Golf app to post scores and track their progress.

Golfers who leave a club will have to wait six months before becoming eligible to join the scheme and county and national events will continue to be the preserve of golf club members only.

England Golf hope the scheme will prove to be a pathway into membership for independent players and Flint added: “Those golf clubs that have a strong business model, that have strong governance, that believe in themselves, should back themselves and not worry about this independent golfer scheme.

“It’s not competing with club membership. It’s not intended to. It’s meant to move people and independent golfers along that golfer journey.

“We understand that some golf clubs have concerns. But those safeguards we’ve built into the system, around the six-month timeline, hopefully will reassure those golf clubs who were a little concerned at the start of this process, that we’re protecting golf clubs but also encouraging golfers into membership.”

Flint reiterated there would be no extra work involved for clubs, with the governing body taking charge of all the administration and technical aspects of the scheme.

“There will be a dedicated team at Woodhall from both a customer service point of view, but also a technical handicap queries perspective as well.”

Some clubs have insisted they won’t engage with independent golfers at all, eschewing the opportunity to offer discounted green fees or to allow them to enter club or Open competitions.

Asked how they would explain to independent golfers, who had forked out their £40, that a “significant percentage of clubs are not going to accept them”, Flint said: “Golf clubs are already engaged with independent golfers through green fees.

“Independent golfers, particularly those regular golfers, are playing at our facilities across England – so that connection is there.

“Golf clubs are their own businesses and engage with independent golfers on that basis. We’re not going to dictate what golf clubs should or shouldn’t do from an independent golfer connectivity perspective, and we’re not going to insist on golf clubs offering any discount or anything like that. That is at the discretion of each individual golf club.”

But clubs that did want to engage with non-club members through England Golf’s scheme would be able to do so, whether that was through offers or green fees, through a microsite that will be launched in the future.

Richard Flint, England Golf’s chief operating officer, updated members on the platform to give nomadic players a handicap in a GCMA Hot Topics webinar...

INDUSTRY

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‘Your help in supporting greenkeepers IS APPRECIATED’

As GCMA members you are well aware of the important role greenkeepers play in the success of any golfing facility. Indeed, as the golf industry celebrated the 200th anniversary of the birth of Old Tom Morris throughout June, it strikes me that this remains as true today as it was in the latter part of the 19th Century, when Tom was helping define the sport as we know it today.

I’m writing to you as BIGGA undertakes an intensive period of activity relating to the ongoing problem of leatherjackets and chafer grubs on golf courses. And yet as I write, I’m aware that leatherjackets are just one of a number of challenges that our members face every day. This spring the uppermost challenge has manifested itself in the larval stage of the cranefly, also known as daddy longlegs.

Perhaps you’ve been lucky and you’ve seen little damage, or been one of the unfortunate ones whose fairways and/or greens have seen significant rates of infestation, causing reduced plant health, areas of bare earth as turf dies back and overturned areas caused by predation. Whichever is the case, this is an industrywide problem and it has been disheartening to see so many greenkeepers suffering on social media. We hosted a webinar recently about the situation, which highlighted how the problem has escalated since the removal of the previously widely used pesticide Chlorpyrifos in 2016.

There are a range of potential and part solutions available but currently none is as effective and simple to apply as we had access to in the past.

We are hopeful that more solutions will emerge and current ones will improve or be proven but as things stand these insect pests are going to be a challenge for a while and we need to educate golfers about that.

BIGGA has recently compiled a White Paper on the topic of leatherjacket and pest control and we sincerely hope the industry will join together to tackle the challenges faced and communicate them far and wide.

Sadly, a selection of our members often tell us they feel alone when it comes to facing the many difficulties inherent in preparing their course. Some perhaps aren’t as well versed at communicating as they would like and we continue to provide opportunities to improve that from our side. However, your help in supporting your greenkeeping team is greatly appreciated.

If you are speaking to them about the difficulties they face throughout the year and beginning an ongoing dialogue built on mutual trust and respect then it will undoubtedly build a stronger team from which the facility can only benefit. I know most of you will do already, but please stand up for them whenever the need arises. Greenkeepers care deeply about the course they prepare and all are disheartened when the standards they strive towards aren’t achievable, through no fault of their own.

Leatherjackets and chafer grubs are just one of the multitude of challenges the golf industry will face in the coming years. We face a number of challenges related to climate change, resource availability and regulatory shifts. It may be that by the end of this decade golf courses will be partially prepared in yet-tobe-discovered ways, tackling challenges that we are only just beginning to understand.

Certainly greenkeepers will need to be even better educated and qualified to achieve the best standards possible and for this to happen we need the golf industry to recognise education and knowledge - and improve salaries to match. Greenkeepers and club managers will need to work together to demonstrate and communicate the challenges we all face.

This is an issue that’s bigger than any tiny bugs, but by supporting your greenkeepers as they overcome challenges, and investing in your team to ensure they are skilled for the future you’ll construct a relationship that will stand you and your facility in good stead for years to come.

BIGGA chief executive Jim Croxton says greenkeepers and club managers will need to work together to communicate the challenges courses face in the coming years