Leighton & James catch up and run through a few topics such as the tough weather we are facing and Pro-Ams at golf clubs. Then, they're joined by interior designer Jill Treloggen of JT Interiors to explore why clubhouse design deserves far more attention than it often receives.

As golf clubs continue to invest in their facilities, the conversation looks beyond the golf course itself and into the clubhouse. Jill explains why successful interior design is about much more than choosing colours and furniture. The discussion explores how clubs can create welcoming, flexible spaces that encourage members and visitors to stay longer, socialise more, and generate additional revenue, while still respecting the traditions and heritage that make every club unique.

The trio also examine the practical realities behind refurbishment projects. From improving the flow of a clubhouse and creating multi-functional spaces to upgrading heating, lighting, acoustics and infrastructure, they discuss the importance of planning beyond the aesthetics. James shares insights from Henley Golf Club's own major clubhouse redevelopment, highlighting the challenges of balancing member expectations, budgets and long-term commercial objectives.

Finally, the conversation turns to current design trends, sustainable refurbishment, commercial-grade furniture, and how clubs should begin the planning process. Whether your club is considering a complete redevelopment or simply looking to refresh tired spaces, this episode offers practical advice on creating clubhouses that better serve today's members while attracting tomorrow's golfers.

Check out JT Interiors here:

https://www.jtiuk.com/

Connect with Us:

Instagram: @golfclubtalkuk

Website: Golf Club Talk UK

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

A big thanks to our partners:

Toro - Click here for more information

Himalayas Golf - https://himalayasgolf.com/

Support us here:

https://buymeacoffee.com/gctuk

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

In this Toro partner episode of Golf Club Talk UK, we welcome Andy Brown and begin by reflecting on his visit to the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association (ASTMA) and Golf Management Australia (GMA) Conference. We discuss the unique format of the event, the atmosphere it creates, and the key conversations taking place beyond the conference sessions. From course maintenance and sustainability to leadership, workforce challenges and club operations, we explore the themes shaping Australian golf and ask whether the industry is entering a particularly optimistic period.

We then turn our attention to Leighton's experience spending time with Toro at its global headquarters in Minneapolis. Alongside course managers and industry leaders from around the world, the few days provided valuable insight into innovation, technology and the future direction of golf course maintenance. We discuss the biggest takeaways, the ideas that stood out most, and how they could influence facilities across the UK and beyond.

Our featured guest is Joel Livingood, General Manager and CEO of Interlachen Country Club, one of the United States' most respected private clubs. Joel shares his journey into club management, explains what makes Interlachen such a special place, and outlines the significant investment and development that has taken place across the course and wider facilities in recent years. A particular focus is the major renovation of the club's iconic Donald Ross-designed course and the thinking behind such an important project.

The conversation also explores what it takes to lead one of America's premier clubs. Joel discusses building a positive culture, leading a large and diverse team, meeting evolving member expectations, and balancing day-to-day operations with long-term strategic planning. We finish by looking at the wider state of golf clubs, the qualities required of modern club leaders, and how Joel continues to develop both professionally and personally.

There are some fantastic insights and plenty of practical takeaways throughout this episode. We hope you enjoy listening.

https://www.interlachencc.org/

https://www.golfmanagement.com.au/

https://www.astma.com.au/

Connect with Us:

Instagram: @golfclubtalkuk

Website: Golf Club Talk UK

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

A big thanks to our partners:

Toro - Click here for more information

Himalayas Golf - https://himalayasgolf.com/

Support us here:

https://buymeacoffee.com/gctuk

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

In this episode, Tom Brooke, CEO of the GCMA, is joined by Ben Driver, CEO of Royal Blackheath Golf Club, and Scott Clark, Managing Director of Woking Golf Club, to discuss the importance of leadership development and the responsibility leaders have to continually invest in themselves in order to better serve those around them.

Tom opens the conversation by exploring why leadership development is so important, particularly within the club sector, and why personal growth can sometimes be overlooked in formal education and management programmes. While technical knowledge and operational expertise remain important, the discussion focuses on the value of developing the skills, behaviours and self-awareness that enable leaders to have a greater impact on their teams and organisations.

Drawing on their own experiences, Tom, Ben and Scott reflect on their leadership journeys and the development opportunities that have shaped them throughout their careers. They discuss the lessons learned, the challenges faced and the importance of remaining committed to continuous improvement regardless of experience or seniority.

The conversation explores how personal development translates into everyday leadership, from building stronger relationships and creating positive working environments to making better decisions and supporting the growth of others. The guests share how increased self-awareness and a greater understanding of human behaviour have helped them become more effective leaders and colleagues.

A key theme is the role emotional intelligence plays within the wider leadership toolkit. The panel discusses how understanding yourself can help you better understand those around you, enabling leaders to adapt their approach to different individuals, communicate more effectively and create stronger, more engaged teams.

Ben and Scott also share how their development has equipped them to handle difficult conversations with greater confidence and empathy, balancing accountability with understanding while maintaining positive working relationships.

The discussion extends beyond team leadership to the challenge of leading upwards, examining how leaders can build productive relationships with boards and committees, manage differing perspectives and influence decision-making through effective communication and trust.

Throughout the episode, the guests reflect on the tangible impact that ongoing leadership development has had on their own performance and on the people they lead. The conversation highlights the idea that the more leaders invest in understanding and developing themselves, the better equipped they are to support, inspire and develop others.

This episode offers practical insights for managers and leaders at all stages of their careers who are committed to continuous growth and recognise that great leadership begins with personal development.

https://gcma.org.uk/

https://www.royalblackheath.com/

https://wokinggolfclub.co.uk/

Leighton catches up with friend of the pod, Renate Roeleveld, CEO of the GCAE, where we look at what's happening, including the upcoming Conference in November.  The theme will be around experience and we touch on this throughout. 

Hugo Mills then joins us to discuss The R&A's mission to grow the game around the world and the challenges of increasing participation across both established and emerging golf markets.

Drawing on his work with more than 160 golf federations globally, Hugo shares insights into how different countries are approaching golf development, why accessibility remains one of the sport's biggest challenges, and the role that new formats, urban facilities, simulators and short-form golf experiences can play in attracting new players.

The conversation explores the importance of making golf easier to access and more affordable to start, while also highlighting examples of innovative work taking place in countries such as Malta, Poland, Chile and Colombia. Hugo also discusses golf's growing social value, from health and wellbeing benefits to community impact, and why these factors could help unlock greater investment in the sport in the years ahead.

A fascinating look at the future of golf development and the opportunities that exist to bring the game to new audiences around the world.

https://www.randa.org/about-us

https://www.gcaeconference.eu/gcae-conference/