New body to represent public golf facilities

A newly formed body, Public Golf Facilities Australia, is aiming to give Australia’s public golf facilities a united voice.

Established earlier this year, Public Golf Facilities Australia (PGFA) is a not-for-profit group that will provide its members with direction for best-practice operations and to develop common strategies in order to generate greater participation in golf.

Focusing on public sector golf facilities – where two thirds of Australia’s 1.2 million active golfers participate in their sport – PGFA will be representing the businesses behind an important pathway in Australian golf, particularly for new golfers.

PGFA Director Anthony Lawrence, who is also Chief Executive of the golf industry service provider Clublinks, said the body would operate with a national focus and sit within the Australian Golf Industry Council to represent facilities that provide key access to so many through driving ranges, mini golf and simulators.

Lawrence told Golf Australlia “the PGFA will play an advocate role in the golf industry for facilities that cater for public golfers, taking an active role in lobbying appropriate private and public institutions regarding key issues relevant to its members’ facilities such as access to water, land tax, buying groups and insurance.

“We will provide assistance and information to members, including customer and financial benchmarking, and techniques to enhance profitability for members.

“And, importantly, we’ll get an understanding of participation trends within these facilities that will help direct strategies for promoting and developing both men’s and women’s involvement in golf.”

The group comprises public access facility owners, general managers and management groups from all mainland states.

Current PGFA member facilities include Wembley Golf Complex, Moore Park Golf, North Adelaide Golf Course, St Andrews Beach Golf, Glen Waverley Golf Course and Albert Park Driving Range.

The Group is seeking additional members from public access venues where ‘pay for play’ golf is a significant component of their facility offer.

Lawrence will be introducing PGFA at the upcoming Golf Business Forum in Melbourne.

For information on PGFA or to become a member, contact Anthony Lawrence on 03 8320 5333, E: alawrence@clublinks.com.au

Click here to view details for the Golf Business Forum in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar. 

Image: Moore Park Golf.

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