More than 200 delegates attended this year’s fourth European Golf Business Conference, organised by the European Golf Course Owners Association (EGCOA). A growing number of golf courses were represented, compared to last year’s conference in Berlin. This is demonstrating the significance of the event to a large number of participants.

The conference hosted several sessions by big names from the industry, all aiming to define ‘The Next Step’ for the golf industry. More than 20 specialist speakers from across the globe took to the stage during the two-day event, including legendary golf course architect Tom Doak, Celtic Manor’s Director of Golf Courses Jim McKenzie and airlines specialist Roy Scheerder to name just a few.
Topics included research results on the new golfer and the customers of the future, the next step in marketing, improved approaches to maintenance, hospitality and the inclusion of sustainable solutions in golf courses business models.

Lodewijk Klootwijk, director of the EGCOA, said: “The success of the European Golf Business Conference during an economic downturn should be seen as a very positive sign of all the opportunities that lie ahead for the European golf industry. The huge success of the conference  this year, regardless of the economic situation, shows the continued need to share information and experiences amongst golf course owners. We are very thankful that our sponsors continue to support this important event for the golf course industry.”