In this episode of Golf Club Talk UK, Leighton Walker is joined by Nuno Sepúlveda, Co-CEO of Details – Hospitality, Sports & Leisure, to discuss his journey through golf, hospitality and resort management, and his vision for the future of golf across Portugal and southern Europe.

Nuno's route into golf was almost accidental. Originally intending to study landscape architecture, he ended up studying turf science and golf course management at Myerscough College. His career has since taken him through agronomy, golf course construction, management and resort development, including six years at Costa Navarino in Greece before joining Details.

Nuno explains how his experience at Costa Navarino shaped his approach to five-star hospitality, working across different cultures and developing golf destinations in areas without an established golf infrastructure. He also discusses the opportunity that brought him back to Portugal and the rapid growth of Details, which now manages golf courses, hotels and leisure assets across several countries.

A major theme is leadership and building the right team. Nuno talks about drawing on 26 years of industry experience, bringing in people with different skills and nationalities, and why surrounding yourself with people who are better than you is essential when growing a business quickly.

The conversation also explores Details' investment philosophy and its focus on repositioning existing golf and resort assets rather than simply building new courses. Nuno discusses the transformation of Costa Ragusa in Sicily and the wider opportunity to bring ageing or underused golf destinations back to life through significant investment.

Customer experience is another key focus. Nuno explains how 59club UK&Ireland has become an important strategic tool for Details, using regular mystery visits and detailed customer feedback to identify weaknesses and continually improve standards across its properties. He also discusses the shift from selling a golf product to creating a complete experience.

Finally, Nuno looks at the future of golf tourism, the growing importance of family participation and why Portugal, Spain and Italy are well positioned for continued growth.

An insightful conversation about leadership, investment, hospitality and the changing golf experience – with one of the people helping to shape the future of golf and resort development in southern Europe.

Visit Details – Hospitality, Sports & Leisure here

Connect with Us
Instagram: @golfclubtalkuk
Website: Golf Club Talk UK
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighton-walker-2708b627/

Thanks to our partners
Toro – Click here for more information
Himalayas Golf – Click here for more information
59club UK&Ireland – Click here for more information

Support the podcast
https://buymeacoffee.com/gctuk

Rate & Review
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a 5-star review and share it with your golf network. Your support helps us continue bringing together the people shaping the future of golf.

In the first episode of Golf Club Talk UK Stories, and a Himalayas Golf partner episode, Leighton is joined by Eddie Pelz, son of legendary golf instructor, inventor and innovator Dave Pelz, for a fascinating conversation about a lifetime spent around the game of golf.  The interview took place in Scotland around the Scottish Open.

Eddie shares the story of growing up around his father's work, from helping test early short-game concepts with golfers including Tom Kite to becoming a mechanical engineer, product developer and eventually a key part of the Pelz Golf operation. He explains how his father's scientific and analytical approach helped shape many of the principles that are still central to short-game instruction today.

A major theme of the conversation is the importance of the short game, with Eddie explaining why the Pelz philosophy places such emphasis on wedges, putting, chipping and bunker play. He discusses why golfers should balance their practice rather than simply hitting balls on the range, and explains how building a structured practice framework can help golfers understand their game and improve more effectively.

Eddie also looks back at some of the innovations developed by Dave Pelz, including the 60-degree wedge, learning aids, putting technology and work examining grooves and equipment performance. He explains how his own role evolved from engineer and product developer to supporting the wider Pelz teaching operation, including the famous three-day schools that remain central to the business.

The conversation then moves into one of the most fascinating projects in the Pelz story: Pelz Backyard. Designed to create a serious short-game practice environment at home, the backyard incorporates green complexes inspired by some of the world's most famous holes, including Augusta National, TPC Sawgrass, Pebble Beach, St Andrews and Whistling Straits. Eddie explains the thinking behind the design, how the facility performs and why it has proved so popular with both elite players and recreational golfers.

Eddie also discusses the development of artificial turf and the patented Shot Stopper technology created through the Pelz Backyard project. Working with Himalayas Golf, he is now helping explore how smaller, high-quality practice facilities can be used to make golf easier to access, reduce barriers to practice and ultimately help grow participation in the game.

The episode also takes us behind the scenes of a more recent project with Sir Nick Faldo, where Eddie and his team helped create a substantial home practice facility in Montana. From short-game areas and revetted bunkers to multiple tee positions and longer shots, Eddie explains how the facility gives a player of Faldo's calibre the opportunity to practise seriously without even leaving home.

Alongside the technical discussion, Eddie reflects on the wider appeal of golf — its social side, the physical benefits of walking the course, the characters within the game and the importance of making golf more enjoyable and accessible. From following professional golfers around a tournament (including Patrick Reed) to understanding the mental and physical demands of elite short-game play, this is a wide-ranging conversation with someone who has spent his life looking at golf from a very different perspective.

Golf Club Talk UK Stories is a new sub-series exploring the people, personalities, experiences and stories behind the game. And what better way to begin than with Eddie Pelz — someone whose family has played such an important role in changing the way golfers understand and practise the game.

Pelz Golf

Himalayas Golf

Connect with Us

Instagram: @golfclubtalkuk

Website: Golf Club Talk UK

LinkedIn: Leighton Walker

Thanks to our partners

Toro

Himalayas Golf

Support the podcast

Buy Me a Coffee – Golf Club Talk UK

Rate & Review

If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a 5-star review and share it with your golf network. Your support helps us continue bringing together the people, stories and ideas shaping the future of golf.

Leighton Walker is joined by Emma Highwood, Head of Women's Development at England Golf, to discuss the organisation's work to grow women and girls' involvement in golf and the forthcoming Women and Girls Summit, taking place on 9 October at the East Midlands Golf Centre in Nottingham.

The summit follows England Golf's club workshops earlier in the year and will bring together clubs, industry representatives, women's golf groups and voices from other sports to share ideas and explore practical ways of creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for women and girls.

The conversation looks at the opportunity for golf around wellbeing, community and social connection. Emma explains how England Golf is working with around 40 clubs to test new approaches to attracting younger women, with clubs exploring combinations of golf, yoga, Pilates and other activities. The discussion considers whether clubs need to think differently about what they are actually selling – with community, belonging and wellbeing potentially as important as the golf itself.

Leighton and Emma also explore the growth of independent women's golf groups and what traditional clubs can learn from their success. Making people feel welcome, removing unnecessary restrictions and offering more flexible ways to play – including four, six and nine-hole formats – could all help create stronger pathways into club golf.

The conversation also covers the importance of women in leadership and England Golf's Women's Leadership Programme, as well as the 40-club pilot, which is taking a collaborative approach to understanding individual club challenges, targeting specific audiences and developing appropriate offers.

Emma provides an update on the renewal of the R&A Women in Golf Charter, originally launched in 2018 with around 670 clubs signing up. The refreshed approach focuses on equitable course access, volunteer diversity and membership opportunities, with around 300 clubs currently indicating they are keen to renew.

Finally, Leighton and Emma look ahead to the Women and Girls Summit and the importance of clubs learning from one another, as well as from other sports. The overriding message is that there is real momentum around women and girls in golf, but continuing that progress will require clubs and the wider industry to challenge existing practices and think differently about what golf has to offer.

To find out more about England Golf: England Golf

Find out more about the England Golf Women and Girls Summit: England Golf Summit

Connect with Us at Golf Club Talk UK:
Instagram: @golfclubtalkuk
Website: Golf Club Talk UK
LinkedIn:

A big thanks to our partners:
Toro – Click here for more information
Himalayas Golf – Click here for more information

Support us here:
Buy Me a Coffee

Rate & Review
Please leave a 5-star review and share this episode with your golf circle!

In this episode of Golf Club Talk UK, Leighton Walker is joined by Scott Weale, General Manager at Tandridge Golf Club, alongside James Brockington, General Manager at Henley Golf Club and co-host of Golf Club Talk UK. The conversation focuses on Scott's journey from greenkeeping and Course Manager to General Manager, and the opportunities and challenges that come with making that transition within the same club.

Scott talks about his early introduction to golf and greenkeeping before moving to Tandridge and taking on a significant programme of course improvement. This included major tree work to improve light and air, the installation of a new irrigation system, and an extensive bunker restoration programme with architect Tim Lobb. The aim was to restore elements of Harry Colt's original design while making the course more sustainable and manageable for the greenkeeping team. He also recalls the extraordinary storm that dumped around 50mm of rain in 45 minutes immediately after an England Golf championship, devastating the bunkers and ultimately helping unlock the next phase of the restoration project.

With much of the major course investment now complete, Scott explains why the next few years will be about consolidation before attention eventually turns towards the clubhouse. The conversation then moves to his transition into general management, including the importance of formal education through the CMAE, the transferable skills gained from managing a major course budget and the reality of taking responsibility for the whole club.

Scott is refreshingly honest about the challenges of his first year in the role, particularly managing his time, resisting the temptation to do everything himself and learning just how much work takes place behind the scenes in a golf club office. He also discusses building a strong team, empowering people and learning to step back from the greenkeeping operation and allow Course Manager Tom Platt to make his own decisions.

The conversation moves into Tandridge's future strategy, including Scott's plans to develop the club's food and beverage operation. Rather than simply replicating what other golf clubs are doing, he is looking towards the wider hospitality industry, with a more focused menu, better service and high-quality grab-and-go options designed around the needs of a changing membership.

There is also plenty of discussion around member expectations and the delicate balance between protecting the character of a private members' club and making the most of commercial opportunities. Scott talks candidly about the difficulty of accepting that not everyone will agree with the direction of travel, while remaining committed to the long-term vision for Tandridge.

Finally, Scott shares his advice for other Course Managers considering the move into general management. His message is clear: the skills are transferable, but the importance of asking for help and surrounding yourself with good people cannot be underestimated. He also reveals his favourite golfing experience at Bled in Slovenia and why great hospitality, attention to detail and memories created with family can make a golf club experience truly special.

Tandridge's recent transformation has been significant, and this conversation offers an interesting look behind the scenes at the people, investment and management thinking helping to shape one of England's leading golf clubs.

Visit Tandridge Golf Club here

Connect with Us

Instagram: @golfclubtalkuk

Website: Golf Club Talk UK

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighton-walker-2708b627/

Thanks to our partners

Toro – Click here for more information

Himalayas Golf – Click here for more information

Support the podcast

https://buymeacoffee.com/gctuk

Rate & Review

If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a 5-star review and share it with your golf network. Your support helps us continue bringing together the people shaping the future of golf.

In this GCMA Insights episode of Golf Club Talk UK, Leighton Walker is joined by Tom Brooke, CEO of the GCMA, Scott Reeves, Membership Director at BIGGA, Kirsten McEvoy, Head of Sustainability at England Golf, Mike Gray from Castle Water and Andrew Tucker from Thames Water, for an in-depth discussion about water security and the future challenges facing golf clubs.

The conversation begins by exploring why water management has become one of the most important issues facing the golf industry. Tom explains why he believes water security is the single biggest challenge facing golf, with wetter winters, increasingly dry summers, rising costs and greater restrictions all placing pressure on clubs and their ability to keep courses playable. Scott provides insight from the greenkeeping community, discussing hand watering, ageing irrigation infrastructure and the agronomic challenges of managing increasingly unpredictable conditions.

Kirsten explains how water has become the biggest sustainability topic raised by golf clubs with England Golf. She discusses the organisation's Water Security Toolkit and the importance of clubs taking a case-by-case approach to understanding their water requirements, infrastructure and potential solutions. The discussion also considers opportunities to work with neighbouring landowners and communities, particularly where water storage could provide wider environmental or flood management benefits.

A key part of the conversation looks at the relationship between golf and the wider water industry. Andrew explains the unprecedented pressure being placed on water resources and why golf is particularly visible within that debate. He outlines the need for the industry to move away from reliance on potable, drinking-quality water for irrigation and towards alternative water sources and greater on-site storage, while emphasising that golf is not being singled out but has an opportunity to lead by example.

The panel also examines the UK's national water target and the drive to reduce business water consumption. Smart water metering is discussed in detail, with Mike addressing misconceptions around the technology and explaining how better data can help clubs understand their consumption, identify leaks and improve billing accuracy. The conversation also highlights simple measures that can make an immediate difference, from fixing leaking toilets and dripping taps to improving irrigation efficiency.

A major theme throughout the episode is the need for better data and greater collaboration. The GCMA, BIGGA, England Golf and the water industry are working together through the Retailers and Wholesalers Group to build a clearer picture of how golf clubs currently use, source and store water. A new industry survey and "State of the Nation" report are also discussed, with clubs being encouraged to participate so that future policy, regulation and investment decisions can be based on robust evidence.

The discussion also focuses on how clubs can plan for the future without necessarily committing immediately to major expenditure. The panel considers the importance of taking short-, medium- and long-term steps, from improving irrigation systems and reducing clubhouse consumption to investigating reservoirs, water harvesting and alternative supplies. Kirsten and Tom also highlight the importance of starting this process early, as planning, approvals and funding for larger projects can take several years.

The conversation concludes with a clear message for golf club boards, committees, managers and greenkeepers: water needs to become a much higher priority within business resilience planning. While the panel provides reassurance that golf clubs are not facing an immediate loss of their water supplies, the direction of travel is clear. Clubs that start planning now will be better positioned to manage future droughts, restrictions and changing water availability. Whether you're a General Manager, course manager, greenkeeper, board member or committee member, this episode provides an important insight into the future of water management in golf and the practical steps clubs can take to improve their resilience.

Useful Links

GCMA: https://gcma.org.uk/

England Golf: https://www.englandgolf.org/

BIGGA: https://www.bigga.org.uk/

Connect with Us

Instagram: @golfclubtalkuk

Golf Club Talk UK: Golf Club Talk UK

LinkedIn: Leighton Walker

A big thanks to our partners

Toro: Toro

Himalayas Golf: Himalayas Golf

Support us here

Buy Me a Coffee

Rate & Review

If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a 5-star review, subscribe to Golf Club Talk UK and share the episode with your colleagues, board members and wider golf network.