Golf Forum offer for PGA Members

One of golf’s leading conferences will celebrate its 10th anniversary at the Home of Golf this summer with a special offer for PGA Members to attend.

The KPMG Golf Business Forum is set to take place at St Andrews from June 3-5 with leading figures from the golf, real estate, finance and tourism sectors.

The event also promises to be of direct interest and relevance to PGA Members and Nick Oakley from KPMG’s Golf Advisory Practice and a PGA Professional himself, believes the conference  offers a unique opportunity to those eager to get an insight into some of the key issues facing the industry.

“From the perspective of PGA Members, if you are looking to get a real grasp of what industry leaders are visualising, how the most influential businesses are looking to shape the future and how that will affect you as an operator, then this conference is invaluable,” he said.

“This is not information you can gather from a magazine; you have to be there. Not only is there educational value in the conference, the networking potential is an opportunity not to be missed. How often do you get the chance to meet important decision makers and the most powerful people in golf?”

Oakley is well versed in all aspects of golf himself having started his career as an assistant pro at Hinckley Golf Club in the Midlands. He later moved to Dubai, working in operations and consultancy for Dubai Golf, concluding his time in the Middle East as director of golf at Yas Links, Abu Dhabi, before returning to Europe to join KPMG. 

Now tasked with providing expertise and advisory services to investors, developers, owners and operators, he covers a wide geographic region of Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and has developed a variety of new skills since joining the company. 

Commenting on the forthcoming event, Oakley said “This year will be KPMG’s biggest and best event in the 10-year history of the Golf Business Forum. PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem and European Tour chief executive George O’Grady will receive the joint lifetime achievement award and will join the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Arnold Palmer and Troon Golf’s Dana Garmany in being recognised for their leadership and achievements in golf.

“We will also be joined by Peter Dawson from the R&A who will be part of a keynote discussion that will focus on the evolution of the industry and how future growth will be achieved from a commercial and participation perspective,” he explained. 

“We will examine some of the global and regional constraints that will challenge the game into the future, whether that be the current inability to achieve realistic financing and where, indeed, there is demand for more development, or greater efficiency in operations to maintain supply. 

“One bright spot on the horizon that will without doubt be a strong talking point is golf in the Olympics.

“Leaders are now starting to focus on this great proposition for the game and how it is going to impact not only the actual event, but ensuring a legacy for golf after 2016.

“With the conference being at St Andrews we will certainly be focusing on Scotland and golf being a key regional industry that supports and continues to drive tourism revenue. Being a concentrated and competitive market, there will always be many learning opportunities.”

KPMG has a special offer for PGA members. Anyone interested in attending the Golf Business Forum, please email to gbf@kpmg.hu for further details.