Its Hokey Cokey time in Scotland – with amateur golf’s governing body putting a workforce back in the field, with a return to boots on the ground to help our clubs.
Golf is by no means the only industry to tinker with a field force. Large companies often move towards a regional sales force, then revert to centralisation, before ultimately heading back out in to the field again. So hats off to the new regime, and Andrew Baptie at Scottish Golf, for securing the support for a team of 5 Regional Development Officers.
But how will success be judged this time ? And more importantly, what exactly do clubs want from this investment ? Clubs have a crucial role to play in identifying the gaps they have in their skillsets, and reaching out for help from their National Governing Body. Its not easy managing a region of over 100 golf clubs, and we have to be realistic about how much time each Development Manager can spend with each club, but lets not waste this opportunity of the support that is clearly out there.
And what about the people who will fill these roles ? There will be some experienced Club Managers out there looking for a new challenge, and I can tell you that moving from the “micro” of club operations to the “macro” of overseeing a region of clubs of varying sizes, is a role I can thoroughly recommend. This is a perfect opportunity to let other clubs benefit from your time behind the wheel, be part of a much larger team and a truly meaningful movement designed specifically to help golf, and our Scottish golf clubs.
Senior Partner @ Laughlin, Falbo, Levy & Moresi, LLP | Juris Doctor
4moBravo John!