Foshan, China: Global Golf Advisors, formerly known as KPMG Golf Industry Practice and a leading authority on successful management practices for golf and private clubs, has published the first findings from its Institute for Best Practice (IBP).

The report, which is the culmination of 12 months of research and contributions from over 100 of the world’s top clubs, identifies an extensive array of tactics currently delivering successful outcomes across a range of management disciplines such as membership, sales and marketing, member care, golf course maintenance, environmental sustainability and strategic management.

The Global Golf Advisors Institute for Best Practice is a collaboration with CMAA-China Chapter, and has earned the support of the World Golf Foundation, the Club Managers Association of America, Golf Environment Organisation, Golf Magazine China Edition, the Tourism College of Sun Yat-Sen University and the Asian Golf Industry Federation.

All of the clubs which supported the research are ranked in the Top-100 in their region, including elite performers from the United States, Canada, continental Europe, the United Kingdom and 30 clubs across China.

Rob Hill, a partner with Global Golf Advisors and Director of the IBP, provided insight into the findings. He said: “This first report focuses on the characteristics of China’s top clubs, how they compare to their contemporaries in North America and Europe and emphasises how powerful the sharing of knowledge and ideas can be in raising the performance of an entire industry.

“Although there are considerable cultural differences from region to region resulting in variations in priorities and standards of excellence, there are many effective management practices which transcend borders. The sharing of operational knowledge identifies these transcendent best practices for the betterment of clubs in all regions.”

“One of the striking findings of the research was the progress that clubs in China have made in relation to water consumption. State-of-the-art irrigation systems, realignment of grassing lines, design refurbishments which assist with a reduction in the area of irrigated turf, and engagement with environmental programmes have all contributed to Chinese clubs using on average 22% less water per km2 than clubs in the USA.

“The top clubs in China, like their contemporaries in the rest of the world, are also highly focused on member recruitment and retention. With this in mind, they can learn from other regions on effective marketing tactics such as pricing strategies, referral programmes, member profiling, junior golf, and family engagement. These will have particular resonance for residential and community planning”.

Dr Aylwin Tai CCM, President of the CMAA China Chapter, has been instrumental in the success of the IBP in China.

“This IBP research initiative is the first of its kind in China and the report includes valuable learnings which will assist clubs in overcoming the challenges they face in these difficult time for the industry,” Dr Tai said. “I believe that the Institute for Best Practice has come at an ideal time to inform and support the repositioning of golf development in China.”

Hill presented the findings of the report to more than 120 superintendents and 50 club managers during a five-day BMI Golf Management Programme at Foshan Golf Club this week.

The BMI Programme is an official education programme jointly supported by the Club Managers Association of America, Asian Golf Industry Federation and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Guangdong.

The IBP China report is not only the first of its kind for the region, but the first of several waves that will offer context and clarity for top performing clubs across the globe.

The IBP ‘China Report’ is available exclusively and without charge to those clubs that participated in the research programme. Further reports for USA, Canada, UK and Europe are to be released shortly under the same terms.

The Toronto-based firm has practices in Phoenix, USA and Dublin, Ireland.

Picture: Rob Hill, Director of the Global Golf Advisors Institute for Best Practice, and Dr Aylwin Tai, President of CMAA China Chapter.