Golf Matters conference and expo will excite

By Neville Idour

The 2022 New Zealand Golf Matters Conference and Expo should be a must for all involved in the various sectors of the golf industry.

It is a three day affair from August 8-10 and the Christchurch venue could not be more exciting for attendees. Make no mistake this is an international event of significance for New Zealand.

The new $475 million Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, which opened last December, is quite stunning and is a world class facility located on the banks of the Avon River in the heart of the city. The centre has a 1400 seat auditorium, 24 meeting rooms and banquet areas for 1800 people.

Delegates are going to be more than impressed by the reception area which has a two tonne marble reception desk, timber columns and an illuminated artwork called Hana designed by sculptor Loni Hutchinson.

Delegates and attendees will be greeted with a full programme of events including keynote speakers, forums and sessions covering every aspect of the golf industry. The expo and trade show will include industry innovation, golf product and equipment to tempt buyers.

Sessions will include technology, participation and what is next for golf post covid. Golf operations retail and merchandising will be included plus health and fitness workshops. Management, employment changes and regulations, staff retention and maximising the club house and all facilities will receive attention.

All aspects of a golf course will receive scrutiny such as sustainability, the environment, community impact, water conservation, pest destruction and latest product releases including machinery and equipment.

The lineup of confirmed speakers from around the world is going to be enthralling.

Possibly headlining the names is world renowned course designer Tom Doak, responsible for 42 golf courses in his 35-year career. Seven of them currently rate in the world’s top 100.

These include Cape Kidnappers in Hawke’s Bay and Tara Iti in Northland which has garnered praise to exceed Doak's wildest dreams. It has resulted in him returning to New Zealand to work on the neighbouring Te Arai north course which will open in 2023. All up he has now spent 222 days in New Zealand during 31 trips. He will video conference in from his home in Michigan.

Karen Lunn, a former professional golfer, is chief executive of the Women’s Professional Golfers' Association of Australasia. She played all the major women’s tours from 1985 to 2013. She won 14 international tournaments including the 1993 Women’s British Open. She has extensive experience as a chairperson on the European Tour board and the Players' Council. She also has considerable experience as a TV commentator in the UK and Germany.

Kereyn Smith, MNZM, who recently retired after 11 years as chief executive of the New Zealand Olympic Committee, will no doubt have much to say about her sporting experiences. She has also held many posts in New Zealand Sport including general manager of the Hillary Commission. Now a keen golfer she is still active in international sports administration.

Shona McRae, The R&A assistant director-rules, has banked a lot of experience from her time in golf operations at Gleneagles Hotel and seven years with Dubai Golf, before joining the rules' team at The R&A in early 2007. She is assistant to the chief referee at The Open Championship and plays golf at St Andrews with a six handicap.

Kyle Phillips, a member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, has over 30 years experience designing golf courses in more than 30 countries. His presentation should have much to offer.

Greg Ramsay, a bachelor in international business, graduated from the University of Tasmania. He explored golf courses around the world. At 23 years of age he returned to Australia, found and drove his first local golf and tourism project Barnbougle Dunes. He has a passion for Australia, all things golf and whisky, having founded the NZ Whisky Collection in Dunedin and Oamaru. He is an inspirational and charismatic speaker.

Michael Glading, the New Zealand Golf Open tournament director, has a rich background in the music industry and sport. After 30 years in music he then took on the position of New Zealand Football chief executive until the NZ Golf Open beckoned in 2012. He is the son of one of golf’s true gentlemen, NZ Open and NZPGA champion Bob Glading. Michael caddied for Sir Bob Charles back in his university days and carried it on professionally for 35 years. He is a more than useful single figure golfer who plays at Muriwai and Mangawhai Golf Clubs in Auckland and Northland.

The latest addition to the lineup is Lisa Cornwall who had a long history in golf before her seven years at Golf Channel as an on-air host and reporter. She was primary reporter for the LPGA and PGA Tours and studio host for Golf Central. She will be familiar to many. Cornwall is working on a newly signed book deal of her memoir titled “Troublemaker” which details the ongoing legal battles of retaliation and discrimination with Golf Channel. It is set for release next year. Should be an interesting listen.

Finally Kay Gregory, a professional journalist and presenter, who is a relative newcomer to golf, will be the conference master of ceremonies. She is a member at Ngaruawahia Golf Club in Waikato. She loves the game and says: “Golf is about the places you go and the people you meet.”

The conference will clearly have many highlights. In addition to the previously outlined, will be the entertainment highlight, the Golf Matters gala dinner on Monday, August 8 when various industry body awards will be given to recipients from the golf managers, NZPGA, NZ course superintendents and Golf New Zealand.

In excess of 300 delegates are expected to attend plus-40 trade show exhibitors. This writer expects that should be a conservative estimate. Golf is on a roll. Club membership numbers in New Zealand are in excess of 130,000, which is up almost 30,000 on pre-covid numbers. If golf matters, attendance at this milestone event is a must.