Category: Gordon Dalgleish’s Thoughts

Dress for success on the fairways & beyond

Gordon Dalgleish

One of the many enjoyable aspects of the golf industry, is that there are so many good guys who work in it.  A recent article in Golfweek about Peter Millar only touches on the success of this company. The article does not dwell on the people involved who are truly some of the best you will find…anywhere.  The company was founded by Chris Knott who remains the chief designer and inspiration for all things color. Whereas I remain as the safe blue blazer and white shirt dresser, Chris defines fashion sense. He can take stripes, solids, paisley prints and polka dots and make it look perfect, while I would take the same basic elements and come across as coco the clown. Chris sets the tone for a hard, but fun work ethic at Peter Millar….a tip of my (plain khaki) hat to you and everyone at Peter Millar.
 

About the Author: Gordon Dalgleish is the Co-Founding Director of PerryGolf, the leading provider of international golf vacations. You can find him on Google+

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The Machrie – a true original

Gordon Dalgleish
The Machrie
The Machrie

I will never forget some of my trips to the Machrie, off the west coast of Scotland.  Situated on the island of Islay, the Machrie is a classic links course in the truest sense of the word. I recall 10 blind shots to greens over towering sand dunes. The details on this golf experience can be enjoyed at LinksMagazine.com While the golf is memorable I will never forget the trip, in 1986 when my brother and I played 9 holes in fierce weather only to return to the clubhouse and an extended lunch break. Indeed, the lunch continued to dinner as were joined by the manager of one of the local distilleries with a new bottle of his product. Golf is a wonderful sport, but more often then not it is the people and life experiences which make it so special.
 

About the Author: Gordon Dalgleish is the Co-Founding Director of PerryGolf, the leading provider of international golf vacations. You can find him on Google+

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The X Factor in private club survival

Gordon Dalgleish

I attended Thursday afternoon at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando. It is a sizeable event where the golf industry and most everyone associated with it congregates annually. During the afternoon I had a number of short discussions with various industry contacts about the state of their membership. The conversations cut across most lines, generally higher end private clubs, old and new, and spread across the country. Most clubs face challenges; some reported bucking the trend…as a result of creative marketing and pricing without damaging their brand, some clubs even reported an historically strong financial position!

Without getting into the whys and what fors of each club situation, an event last evening tied into some of these conversations really clarified my perspective on what you need to be successful. Call it the X factor. Simply it is “pride of membership”. Three simple words which is extremely difficult to achieve. Older, historical clubs have the advantage. They enjoy the tradition and legacy which is so much of golf. The list of these clubs is a who’s who of private golf clubs in America. But how does a new club (and by definition more financially vulnerable) achieve a “pride of membership”.

For 15 years I have been fortunate to be a Member of Caves Valley in Owings Mills, MD. The Director of Golf  since 1991 when the Club opened has been Dennis Satyshur. Dennis is a former college football quarterback and whenever given the chance at a Club gathering will ALWAYS talk briefly about the virtues of the “Caves experience” and the Members of the Club. Never overdone and always eloquently presented in terms you understand. I will admit that on occasion I have wondered why he was so passionate about this topic. Last evening Dennis was awarded the Bill Strausbaugh Award, one of the highest accolades he can receive from his industry peers. In recognition of that award, approximately 50 members of Caves Valley travelled to Orlando, FL (from throughout the country) for an awards ceremony to witness Dennis receive this recognition. Afterwards, a group of Members generously hosted a reception across the street at the Peabody Hotel for what looked to be 150 people or more. Many of Dennis’s former assistants were in attendance, young men who now are Directors of Golf in their own right at premier clubs. The fact that so many Members found the time in their schedules and had the to desire to attend an awards presentation speaks to the very heart of “pride of membership”. During tough times members will find every reason to remain in a club where they appreciate and genuinely sense a pride of membership. It does not cost anything to implement but everyone, staff and Members must participate in the process.

Hard to define but easy to recognize. Congratulations Dennis. Well deserved.
 

About the Author: Gordon Dalgleish is the Co-Founding Director of PerryGolf, the leading provider of international golf vacations. You can find him on Google+

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Long Haul Air Economy Travel reinvented & timeless service

Gordon Dalgleish

Over the years I have seen the marketing machines for airlines use various hyped expressions to describe their latest service introduction…usually it is just oversell with relatively little innovative thinking. This mornings news  from Air New Zealand with their genuinely redesigned economy seat…er couch is fresh thinking indeed. I commend them on their innovation.

By definition travel to New Zealand is long haul due to it location, but the effort is rewarded when you get there. One of the truly great country house experiences anywhere in the world awaits you at Huka Lodge which just received the Tatler Award for enduring excellence. Huka Lodge holds the distinction as either the only, or one of only two places in the world to host Queen Elizabeth II on three separate occasions for a personal trip. Not something you see on many hotel brochures!
 

About the Author: Gordon Dalgleish is the Co-Founding Director of PerryGolf, the leading provider of international golf vacations. You can find him on Google+

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Do you practise golf etiquette?

Gordon Dalgleish

I am across the following information on a website for a newly opened golf course in Vietnam. While it may seem rather elementary it probably would do not harm for this type of information to be more frequently shared with many golfers in the US and elsewhere. Over the years I have discovered that far more effort is given in developing golf countries to ensure that golf etiquette is followed as so many golfers these area are broadly unaware of the nuances of the sport.

In terms of dress I recall being in China 10 years ago and the Sales Executive for of the club was insistent he would play 9 holes with me. He was clearly a beginner but extremely keen to play…for some reason I went to the first tee ahead of him. When I turned around I knew I was in for a long afternoon. He was still wearing his jacket and tie as he made some practice swings. As I recall we had a good time but that was a first! Maybe he had seen pictures of the Great Triumvirate!

The Chinese are also notorious for their cell phone use. If you have the opportunity to attend a professional golf event in China, it is entertaining on both sides of the ropes  as you have a group of spectators with even less understanding of the etiquette involved. Cell phones and animated conversations close to the action are par for the course!

Having played the game for 40 years it is all second nature to me, and it is so easy to forget the many quirks to golf etiquette. If I come across a new golfer I try to make them feel as comfortable as possible and explain the “rules” recognizing that I would be similarly lost in another sporting arena.
 

About the Author: Gordon Dalgleish is the Co-Founding Director of PerryGolf, the leading provider of international golf vacations. You can find him on Google+

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