Dear Industry Colleague,
Our lead article in this months edition features an excellent golf centre at Stansted, Essex. Golf World Stansted may not be an inspiring course compared with some of the historic 18-hole courses often featured on these pages, but the combination of golf and leisure activities at the site means that more people are given an introduction to golf on a friendly and an informal basis than at a traditional golf facility. At the risk of repeating a re-occurring theme in these pages, the future of the game lies in golf facilities of this type.

We also feature the first of two interviews with leading golf course architetcts by M. James Ward outlining thier views on the chellenges, and possible solutions, for all facilities looking to grow the game and keep costs under control.

With GolfBIC just around the corner on Monday 18th March, this time returning to the Marriot Forest of Arden, we will be welcoming all types of course and range operator to the event. At the top of the list of attractions comes Paul Stewart of KPMG. He will be explaining how the recent landmark ruling in favour of a proprietary golf club may now pave the way for a fairer taxation system throughout the game. This is potentially a very important breakthrough and could help to even up a badly distorted playing field for golf courses. The chance to make facilities such as Golf World Stansted stronger and more profitable for their owners is not to be missed. With luck this will lead to more such centres being built and more golfers created. A virtuous circle perhaps. We urge you to attend because this is very important for everybody in the commercial sector of the golf industry.

We look forward to seeing you at the Forest of Arden in March. Further details and booking forms are available at ukgf.com.

Best wishes Colin Jenkins