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Burhill Team News
September
2021
Colin Mayes
Chief Executive
Dear Colleagues, Our golf courses and all the teams associated with
them have also been busy assisted by the reasonable
We have now ended the September trading period weather conditions throughout the month. Our
which is normally what we consider to be the close function/wedding business is also coming back to
of the golfing summer season. Overall, September life with a number of units being under some real
has been another strong trading period for the BGL pressure to cope with this demand.
Group with all areas of the business trading well. I wanted to thank you all for the hard work and
Clearly trading levels have dropped significantly commitment everyone has made in looking after our
within our Adventure Leisure (AL) business with business and delivering some great service standards,
the school children going back to their studies. All we have had some wonderful letters/comments back
three businesses (Mr Mulligans, Bunkers and Ninja from our customers and guests which is a credit to
Warrior UK) have still traded well, and we do not you all.
see any reason for this to change in the immediate
future. It is important to mention that due to the pandemic
nearly all of us couldn’t celebrate Christmas normally
October is normally a strong month for this business last year. In recognition of this and the wonderful
with the half term period at the end of the month work everybody has done throughout the year, we
and then we will only have two more months to go will be closing all our clubs and venues across the
before the end of the year. UK on Christmas Day meaning those clubs that in the
Our golf clubs have also continued to trade strongly past have provided our customers a superb Christmas
throughout September and are ahead of what we Day will close. All we want for Christmas is for
expected, which is also very positive. All of our our teams to spend quality time with their family &
teams have been working flat out this month coping friends wherever they may be.
with many of our student employees returning back We recently hosted General Managers meetings
to college/university. This has put pressure on the at Burhill Golf Club with Guy and Andy leading
remaining staff coping with higher-than-expected discussions with their senior teams about our business
trade through our catering operations. objectives and focus for the rest of this winter and
into 2022.
CEO Update
those that are willing to adapt/change/take on new
challenges/relocate, they will be there for you.
After our meetings we had a wonderful dinner
delivered by the team at Burhill and one of the
things that really struck home to me was the
gender diversity we now have within our senior
management across the 22 businesses we now own
and operate. Seven of our General Managers are
females and when we add the number of senior
female support staff including IT, Training, Marketing
I also took the opportunity to speak with all the and soon our People, I believe this is something to
General Managers about the business and the be very proud of. The BGL board of directors also
fact we have weathered the Covid -19 storm has three female directors, and I am delighted to
considerably better than I could have ever hoped say our female greenkeepers are on the increase
for when the pandemic first emerged back in March too. There is no doubt we are a leading business
2020. We should all congratulate ourselves on the on gender equality within the UK leisure/hospitality
way we have managed to navigate ourselves back to industry.
near normality. However, I also wanted to make sure
Sadly, our results at this years Ryder Cup did not go
we keep everyone on their toes in case we suffer a
our way and we were given a sound beating by the
setback or further unexpected turbulence.
younger USA team. Over the 3 days of competition,
Only this week we have seen the impact of the it was clear that the USA team deserved their win.
fuel shortages caused by the lack of skilled drivers Our European Team must now start the preparation
in the country. I am convinced there will be a few for the next match back in Europe with Rome being
more twists and turns as we try and manage our chosen to be the tournament host city for 2023.
business back to normality in the months ahead.
Thank you for your support and hard work
My message to all our General Managers was to
throughout this summer and I look forward to
expect the unexpected, try and remain as nimble/
seeing as many of your as possible on the run up to
flexible as possible and work very hard to retain the
Christmas. Let’s all hope the weather will be kind
great people we have within our business. Where
to us and the various economic issues the country
possible, make sure we are all completing and
is dealing with do not stall our recovery back to
undergoing continuous training either through our
normality for 2022.
own BGL Academy or through external sources such
as local colleges etc. Making sure we develop our
Warmest regards.
own skills and our team members and having an
attitude that I am never too old to learn new skills is
very important attribute and one we must all work
on to be the best we can.
Next month our new Head of People & Culture,
Claire Boulden will join us, and you can rest assured Colin Mayes
we will be putting a greater emphasis through this Chief Executive
important appointment to how we retain, train and
develop the great talent we already have within the
BGL Group.
I am determined that the business must continue
to grow and with that growth comes opportunities
for our people to progress and develop themselves.
For those that have the desire to progress within
our business we will make sure opportunities will
be available, they may not be on your doorstep but
Latest News I am sure by now you will all know that this year we had a new addition to the family, Ninja Warrior UK. We have been delighted to see the success of both Ninja Warrior UK Southampton and Sheffield and it is due to this success that we are thrilled to be opening Ninja Warrior UK, Milton Keynes in Q1 next year. To add to the excitement and our commitment to grow and develop the business further, we will also be opening Mr Mulligans, Bristol and Bunkers! Cardiff in 2022. We are very much looking forward to continuing our aggressive expansion plan and equally creating much needed jobs and opportunities in these areas. If you see a potential venue that is a minimum of 15,000 sqft, feel free to email a.scholey@adventureleisureltd.co.uk as you never know, it could be the perfect fit! Thornbury Golf Centre is set to embark on an exciting enjoyed by club members, guests, and visitors. £600,000 irrigation investment project which is Tim Good, General Manager said: “We are delighted designed to amplify the look and playability of both to have been afforded this opportunity by BGL, golf courses, while also dramatically improving to make further enhancements to our facility. We maintenance efficiency. are committed to delivering the very best golfing The project represents our unwavering dedication experience for our members and guests, and this to facility improvement and enhanced member and is the next step along our road of continuous customer experience, while also reflecting a surge in improvement.” membership numbers at all 10 clubs in recent years. This comes immediately after Thornbury has been The first phase of the project will cost around officially awarded with the SafeGolf Accreditation £275,000 and will see the foundations laid across and has been recognised as a GEO Certified venue. both golf courses for the installation of a new These awards reflect the club’s commitment to high-tech irrigation system that will include tee boxes, health and safety, the local environment, social fairways approaches and greens. Crucially, the new responsibility, and sustainability. system will allow the club to better manage the amount of moisture in the ground, making the courses more playable, all year round. Once completed, the new irrigation system will be controlled via mobile device or computer, allowing maintenance teams to control the conditioning of the golf courses, 24-hours a day. This will make a huge difference to staff efficiency and will also help to deliver an exceptional golf experience that can be
Our People
We are studying towards
a certified club managers
qualification through the
Management Development
Program (MDP) with the aim to
become certified club managers Jessica Carter, Sales Advisor,
(CCM) through the Club Wycombe Heights
Managers Association of Europe. I am currently studying an Events &
Stuart Perry, General Manager, We are just over halfway Business Management Postgraduate
The Shropshire
through, the final stage being a Diploma which takes 18 months to
7-hour final exam. complete. It entails weekly lectures,
Self-reflection has really helped live lectures in London, 2 solo & 2
with completing the course group projects followed by a live
and writing the assignments, final event & exam.
although adapting to online This Diploma is giving me an in-
sessions has had its challenges. depth understanding of the key
With other GM’s from Dublin, sectors within the Events & Business
Spain, Bermuda and to Saudi Management industry.
Arabia it’s sometimes been tough It has also massively helped me
coordinating diaries, but we expand my knowledge in Sales &
have managed and it’s proving Marketing.
Sarah Blunden, General Manager, very worthwhile. I look forward to utilising the
Wycombe Heights
We cannot wait to become course to help me progress into a
certified! Management role within BGL.
I have witnessed the evolution As part of the course I will learn
of the hospitality industry from theories and strategies which will
the community pubs and bars to enable me to discuss and influence
the merger of leisure and social actions to continually achieve this.
activity. Sustainability and global impact have
Learning strategies and theories never been more prevalent than it
involving diversity and equality, is now with areas across the globe
global impact and sustainability facing devastating impacts from
Richard Wood, General Manager, Mr is imperative to making educated global change. As part of my learning
Mulligans decisions with the businesses. I would like to be involved with
Adventure Leisure are proud AL is expanding, and I’d love decisions which influence our impact
to support Richard Wood, the to have the opportunity to be on the environment around us.
General Manager at Adventure part of the decisions which My aim is to continue my career
Leisure Newcastle, who is continue to shape us. Achieving into a senior role within Adventure
studying Strategic Leadership a master’s qualification Leisure, helping to make decisions
Level 7 at Newcastle University. alongside the knowledge and which will benefit the company
“I am passionate to develop experience I have already financially, and maintain the
my skills and increase my gained would help me make company’s core values.
knowledge regarding leadership these decisions. Assisting in the I am grateful for the opportunity that
theories and strategies. With future development of AL and Adventure Leisure has given me to
a stronger understanding & BGL. Empowering our people embark upon this study, and I look
skill set, I can make educated is essential to growth and forward to applying what I learn both
decisions which will benefit expansion, taking learnings from at Newcastle, and within the wider BGL
myself and BGL. all cultures and backgrounds. Group.
Our People
Congratulations to Duncan Sarah Blunden, General Manager of
Purcell at Wycombe Heights Wycombe Heights said:
Golf Centre on his promotion ‘This promotion is very well
to become their new Head deserved and I am looking forward
Professional. to working with Duncan in his
Duncan joined Wycombe new role and seeing him progress
Heights in January 2018 as their our Golf and Pro Shop team even
Junior Academy Manager and further.’
was promoted to Assistant Head
Professional in October 2020.
He has always enjoyed
interacting with customers,
which shows in his feedback
from lessons and is also very
passionate about Custom Fitting
and ensuring members and
visitors alike have the right
Duncan Purcell, Head Professional, equipment for them.
Wycombe Heights
Duncan has spent the past year
learning more about the Head
Professional role, including
financial control, stocktaking and
leading a team.
high presentation standards assistance, pace of play, Marshal’s
throughout the golf reception and travel kit, weather and safety &
first tee. finally a quiz.
We realise that the job of “We are hoping to get the course
Course Marshal is one that live and assigned to all Course
requires extraordinary tact and Marshals by the end of October, so
diplomacy, and that superior watch this space!” said Janice.
interpersonal skills are often
needed. This training covers
Brian Bailey, Course Marshal at the essential functions and
Ramsdale Park has been assisting duties of a Marshal, although
Janice Moore, Learning & each venue will generally have
Development Manager, Support their own individual additional
Office in creating a training requirements.
course specifically for Course
Marshal. This training resource, and
the customer service module
The Course Marshal is often accompanying it, is all about
the first point of contact for excelling as a Golf Marshal
members and visitors to the club, so that our customers become
and works in tandem with the ambassadors for the club!
golf services team to ensure all
members and visitors receive a The course features an
warm welcome, and experiences introduction, key responsibilities,
basic golf etiquette, player
Sustainability & Environment
Some of you may have heard about GEO “Each club has developed a unique maintenance
certification and some may not, so, this month we programme designed to achieve more sustainable
are focusing on this key area for the Golf Division. and efficient practices, by making improvements to
GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf is an the courses and club facilities wherever possible.
international not-for-profit, that helps to inspire, BGL showed early leadership in sustainability with
support, and reward credible sustainability action its first facility GEO Certified in 2013.
and to strengthen and promote golf’s social and They are now one of the most committed
environmental value. The organisation remains management groups worldwide – and the only
the only one in the world entirely dedicated to this group with every facility certified. We look forward
mission. to working with them on their endeavour to
All of our 10 golf clubs are GEO certified with 3 extend their sustainable practices even further,”
clubs being reverified between now and the end commented Jonathan Smith, Executive Director
of the year. This underlines the continuation of our GEO Foundation.
concerted environmental efforts across our clubs “In a world where it is more crucial than ever to
and solidifies our place as the only major multi operate in the most environmentally sensitive way
course operator to gain GEO certified status across possible, to be awarded with GEO certified status
all clubs. is a testament to the incredible
The accreditation designates a golf facility has work ethic of every member of
met a credible standard in the areas of Nature, the team at BGL.” added Colin
Resources, Climate Action and Community Mayes, CEO Burhill Group.
continually improving sustainable golf practices.
Congratulations & thank you to our
BGL Team celebrating 5+ years with us this month
Kevin Lock, Burhill GC, 5 years Kuljit Tatla, Hoebridge, 11 years
Thomas Holland, Birchwood Park, 5 years Adam Dawe, Wycombe Heights, 13 years
Hayden Beebee, The Shropshire, 5 years Rob Surgey, Burhill GC, 14 years
Karen Frise, AL Support Office, 5 years Philip Jones, The Shropshire, 15 years
Guy Riggott, BGL Support Office, 7 years Carol Seamons, Burhill GC, 20 years
Jason Fallon, Thornbury, 7 years Ross Edmonds, Abbey Hill, 20 years
Coming Up Next Month...
• World Mental Health Day: Sunday 10th October 2021
• Cyber Security Month: October 2021
• Long Service Dinner: Wednesday 20th October 2021
• Introducing Claire Boulden, Head of People & Culture
Burhill Golf & Leisure LTD
Burhill Golf Club, Burwood Road, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, KT12 4BX
info@bglcompany.co.uk | 01932 220815 | bglcompany.co.uk
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