Author: Grace Henderson

59club, the global leader in customer service benchmarking and training for the golf and leisure industry, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Power Tee®, the premier automated teeing system trusted by golf facilities around the world.

This collaboration brings together 59club’s industry-leading performance analytics and training expertise with Power Tee’s cutting-edge technology to elevate the modern practice experience. The partnership will provide golf venues with a powerful, integrated solution designed to enhance customer satisfaction, increase operational efficiency, and drive revenue growth.

Power Tee’s automated systems are celebrated for delivering consistent, seamless practice sessions, allowing golfers to focus on improving their game without distraction. Now, with 59club’s data-driven insight and training tools layered into the experience, facilities can raise the bar on both service delivery and customer engagement.

Simon Wordsworth, CEO of 59club, commented:
“We are thrilled to partner with Power Tee. Their commitment to innovation aligns perfectly with our mission to drive excellence in customer service. 59club is all about touch points — whether it’s staff interaction or technology. We aim to work with suppliers who enhance the overall experience, and Power Tee certainly delivers on that. We’re excited to work together to educate and support the industry.”

Matt Foley, Managing Director at Power Tee®, added:
“Over the past 29 years Power Tee® has thrived in exceeding expectations for range users and range owners alike. Power Tee® has grown engagement and grown revenues in all 21 countries it has been installed in (to date). Working with 59club is a natural fit for both companies as we have been intertwined throughout both of our solo journeys. Simon featured in one of our first videos at The Belfry, Matt Roberts and Will Hewitt have both worked with us on the ground, so it is a wonderful opportunity to work with them all again. Our technology is designed to elevate the practice experience for golfers of all abilities. Partnering with 59club allows us to go beyond the physical product — helping venues create a full-circle service experience that meets the high expectations of today’s golfers.”

This strategic alliance underscores both companies’ shared dedication to advancing the golf industry through innovation, insight, and service excellence. Facilities that embrace this integrated approach can expect improvements in guest satisfaction, increased usage of practice areas, and stronger team performance.

About 59club
59club is a leading provider of performance measurement and management solutions for the golf, leisure, and hospitality industries. Through mystery shopping, customer surveys, and training programs, 59club helps venues enhance service quality, staff engagement, and profitability.

About Power Tee®
Power Tee ® is the world’s #1 automated teeing system, installed at over 400 golf facilities in 21 countries. Notably working with industry leaders such as The Home of Golf, St. Andrews Academy for 21 years, The Belfry, Celtic Manor and many more worldwide. Power Tee®  has been engineered to improve the practice experience, Power Tee® allows golfers to maintain rhythm and focus, offering a superior training environment for players of all levels. The real kicker for golf club owners is the increase in perception of value, the added value of having a range concierge in place for their members and guests. For Range owners the fact that 60 golf balls are hit 42% quicker than a generic mat helps with work flow and customer experience. As bending over to change a tee peg in a generic mat is 29 years out of date, surely your customers deserve better.

Leading customer service and performance management specialists 59club have announced a new global partnership with Global Talent Solutions, marking a significant step forward in the development of future talent within the golf and hospitality industries.

Simon Wordsworth, Founder and CEO of 59club, commented:

“We have been looking to partner with a ‘Talent’ business that reflected our company goals for a long time, and ever since meeting Sean & Hilly, it became obvious that Global Talent Solutions are exactly the right fit. Their deep understanding of the Club & Hospitality industry honed through hands-on experience at premium 59club venues is invaluable.

“Our partnership will enable some of the best talent in the industry to spread their wings and grow, while also collaborating with us on the development of 59club’s new internship program.”

This internship initiative is designed to give young, aspiring professionals the chance to gain invaluable experience by working across a variety of 59club venues over a three- to four-year period. The program will immerse participants in diverse roles, cultures, and management styles, shaping the next generation of golf and hospitality leaders.

Global Talent Solutions are already actively engaged with 59club, supporting recruitment across multiple regions. In the United States, they are working alongside Mark Reed, 59club Co-Founder and General Manager of 59club USA, to help source top-tier talent for a number of vacant positions. Simultaneously, 59club MEA, under the guidance of Mark Bull, is also leveraging the partnership in its search for new regional managers to support growth across the Middle East and Africa.

“It was important for us that our partner had deep networks within the world’s expanding golf and hospitality economies,” Wordsworth continued. “This partnership opens the door to an exciting and purposeful development pathway for young professionals.”

Reflecting on the long-term value of such initiatives, Wordsworth added:

“Over 25 years ago, during my time at The Belfry, I launched a similar initiative that helped shape the careers of individuals like Chris Trott, Richard Barker, Daryll Evans, and Nicky Lawrenson, amongst many others. Just imagine the kind of professional we could develop today — someone who has spent several years immersed in different cultures and leadership styles — and the value they would bring to the global golf industry, to 59club, and to our clients.”

Sean Plunkett, Director of Global Talent Solutions, also expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership:

“We are beyond excited to announce our partnership with 59club globally and together are poised to make a significant impact on the industry. This partnership will not only empower us to help their client clubs by connecting exceptional talent with incredible opportunities but also support 59club to enhance an exciting new internship program. By providing young professionals with the unique chance to work across various venues and cultures that will provide a valuable foundation for their careers to thrive. We’re confident we can help shape the next generation of leaders in the golf and hospitality sectors by our shared values of customer service, training and support.

“Global Talent Solutions offers tailored recruiting solutions to the Club & Hospitality industry, placing mid-senior level talent globally. Our track record underscores our commitment to effective recruiting practices that will help you cultivate a talented team of professionals. Having personally worked within the industry across the world, we understand how important it is to have a team that not only has the necessary skills and experience, but will also thrive and fit seamlessly within your club’s culture.”

The partnership between 59club and Global Talent Solutions is effective immediately, with further details on the internship program and expanded recruitment strategies set to be announced in the coming months.

March 11, 2025 – Pacesetter Technology, a leading innovator in mobile technology for private clubs, has announced a strategic partnership with 59club, the industry’s customer service management specialist. The collaboration is driven by a shared mission: helping clubs elevate their customer experience through cutting-edge technology and data-driven insights.

By integrating Pacesetter’s advanced mobile solutions with 59club’s industry-leading analytics and training programs, this partnership will set a new standard for club operations and customer experience. Club leaders will gain real-time access to key performance data, training materials, and access to industry events, enabling them to make more informed decisions and deliver exceptional service.

“I am so excited to start this partnership with Pacesetter,” said Simon Wordsworth, Founder of 59club. “Their product and aspirations match exactly what 59club is all about. Over the next few years, the mobile experience delivered by Pacesetter will dramatically change the way our clients interact with 59club. We will be able to support our venues as they strive for excellence by providing mobile access to results, events, training materials, and much more. In addition, 59club will look to support Pacesetter clients with the data they need to be the best club for their members, and the best employer possible. This partnership is just a perfect match—two companies at the top of their fields, striving for better.”

Pacesetter Technology’s innovative mobile solutions are already transforming club experiences, enhancing personalization, and streamlining operations. By joining forces with 59club, clubs will have unprecedented access to both cutting-edge technology and world-class training resources, allowing them to raise service levels and drive member and guest satisfaction.

“We’re thrilled to partner with 59club,” said George Stavros, CEO of Pacesetter Technology. “Our technology, coupled with the deep industry knowledge and training from the team at 59club, is a perfect fit. Aligning our shared values exponentially helps us both raise the bar on the member experience.”

This partnership underscores both companies’ long term commitment to innovation and service excellence, ensuring that golf clubs & resorts have the tools and insights necessary to thrive in a competitive landscape.

• For more information about Pacesetter Technology, visit www.pacesettertechnology.com. To learn more about 59club, visit www.59club.com.

59club, the leading provider of customer experience benchmarking and improvement solutions for the golf, leisure, retail, and hospitality industries, is excited to announce the expert appointment of Chris Geraghty as its new Managing Partner for 59club Asia.

Geraghty’s experience with signature Troon managed properties, in North Africa, Bahrain, and Asia plus time spent with Stella Di Mare Hotels & Resorts in Egypt and De Vere Hotels in the UK speaks volumes for the impending impact Geraghty is set to make as he takes the reigns in driving 59club’s operations across the region.

Boasting a collection of accolades – including four 59club Gold Flag Awards shared between two properties (The Royal Golf Club & Vattanac Golf Resort) also having historically claimed a Silver Flag during Vattanac’s first year of partnering with 59club, and personally receiving the enviable 59club Asia Golf Manager of the year title in 2023 – there is no denying the impact that Geraghty will have on customer service standards in the region as he works closely with all 59club affiliate properties to manage change, increase reputation and improve club profitability.

Of the announcement Geraghty said; “Joining 59club to lead the Asia region is extremely exciting. The opportunity to support Hospitality Business Owners, Management Companies, General Managers, and their respective teams throughout Asia deliver higher levels of service through globally gathered quantitative data, ongoing training, and measurement of results is an incredible prospect.

“Guest expectations in Asia are among the highest I’ve seen throughout a global career, and to be able to share my track record of providing exceptional levels of service with hospitality leaders in over 10 countries to exceed guest expectations is going to be fundamental to the ongoing success of 59club in the region. Thanks to the hard work of the previous management team, 59club Asia is in a fantastic position and I’m very much looking forward to getting started in 2025”.

Of the appointment Simon Wordsworth, 59club Founder & CEO said; “We are delighted to welcome Chris to the team, what an incredible asset for 59club and the clubs in the region to benefit from his expertise, experience and passion. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Araya Singhsuwan for helping to establish our brand in Asia and to James Shippey of Absolute Golf Services for their unwavering support. We look forward to continuing to support our affiliate properties in the region and in welcoming new venues to the 59club network attracted by their desire to excel.

For all enquiries about 59club’s Mystery Shopping, Satisfaction Surveys, and Training & Education opportunities in Asia simply reach out to chrisg@59club.com

Andy Siddall is the Director and Co-Founder of Robincroft Consulting. For 20 years he held leadership roles within both educational environments and professional sport as an elite cricket coach and he has worked as a personal performance coach since 2015.

Personal performance coach Andy Siddall explains his theory behind Deliberate Leadership and how it can help you to achieve your business goals

If you are anything like me that question will annoy you! This is because leadership is so complex and dynamic we shouldn’t be looking to categorise people into boxes and one particular style, but instead recognise that the leaders who possess the most skills and flexibility of styles will be the most effective.

The style of leadership adopted by leaders can significantly impact their team’s motivation and performance, and we will all have natural tendencies for one style over another, a default as it were. But when it comes to the styles that leaders adopt a lot goes into the mix.

Naturally there is their personality, the impact of their cultural background and their experience to consider. Add to this their mindset and the time and space they are in, who they are leading, what needs to be achieved and in what timeframe, and of course, what is at stake.

Plenty has been written on leadership styles and a quick internet search will present you with various links and infographics on the subject. So, for this article, we won’t be duplicating a version of these or muddying the water with lots of approaches, but will list Daniel Goleman’s Six Styles of Leadership as a consideration point:

At Robincroft, we believe in leadership effectiveness and being able to make a positive impact is what it’s all about. With this in mind you may want to consider doing these three things:

1: Reflect on the culture, behaviours and outputs of those you lead. What’s good? What’s not? What needs to be different?

2: Reflect on your own leadership behaviours. What style do you spend most of your time in? Consider how those you lead would describe it, and answer the question of ‘what is it like to be led by you?’

3: Consider what the benefits could be if you adopted different approaches. What skills may you need to develop in order to be more effective?

It’s remarkable how many successful professional sports teams across the globe have had a similar mantra plastered across the walls of their changing room:

‘What does the team need from me now?’ The aim? To impact the decision making and behaviour.

As leaders we urge you to embrace a style of what we call Deliberate Leadership and to adopt a similar mantra by constantly asking yourself: What does my business/team need from me now? Or what does this person need from me now?

Deliberate Leadership is a style that requires both conscious thought and conscious action. It requires you to have a quality assessment of those you lead, which allows you to make quality decisions of what they need.

Deliberate Leadership is both purposeful and flexible, transitioning between styles and approaches depending on what’s required.

Deliberate Leadership is having both a clear intention in our approach and being clear where our attention needs to be to achieve the desired results while helping us grow and develop our employees. Leadership is complex, so don’t just do it – do it deliberately!

Vic Aliprando is the Senior Vice President of TPC Network Operations. Owned, operated, and licensed by the PGA TOUR, the TPC Network comprises 29 premier private, resort and daily fee golf properties designed by elite architects.

Vic Aliprando, Senior Vice President, TPC Network Operation

What is the best advice you have ever had?

I grew up in Pennsylvania, wanted to work away and ended up in Mississippi on an internship for 20 months for Arnold Palmer Golf Management company. Met some great people, one General Manager there really was my first mentor, and he wrapped his arms around me and took me under his wing. I always remember this one comment: ‘Never forget to take out the trash.’ At the time I didn’t understand what he meant. It means to never think that you above doing any of the jobs. Hospitality is why we’re so successful and I want to help our staff and I’m not afraid to roll up my sleeves and work on any project.

PGA Tour/TPC Network is a global brand associated with excellence. How are you trying to transfer that down through the operations?

Our first club opened in 1980 so we have a long history of standards and deliverables. Back at the beginning the leadership really set the standard for excellence in the golf business and we’ve continued to try and elevate and improve things as we’ve gone by.

We’re now in the midst of creating a new mission statement and tweaking some of the experiences that we’re trying to deliver at some of the clubs. It’s all focused on delivering a PGA Tour player’s lifestyle to our members and guests.

“We have a sales process in all areas of our business and that has always been very relationship driven and requires asking a lot of questions and 59club’s process is a perfect match for that”

Vic Aliprando

What is happening in the private member clubs’ marketplace place for you?

Half of our clubs are private and half of them are daily fee clubs. The private club business is still really good and we’re starting to see some attrition return back to pre-pandemic levels, we’re still not there, and membership sales have slowed down – but frankly we have slowed it down.

We’ve been reaching some capacity levels at some of our clubs, so we’ve had to work to sell only enough to fulfil the attrition that is actually left. The golf business is in a very good place, and we continue to hear that industry wide. I continue to speak to our clubs about the need to wrap our arms around these people who are playing golf, we need to keep them playing the game.

What are you trying to achieve in ‘sharing your brand’ with non-owned but carefully chosen properties?

We really have three different structures within our clubs. We own and operate 11 of the 29, we license and operate five more for other owners and the remaining 13 are purely licence-only clubs. The benefit is getting the credibility that the brand brings to their property.

I was talking to the owner of TPC Danzante Bay, he’s not a golfer and he owns a number of timeshare resorts throughout Mexico but only one with golf. He was talking to a friend who was a big golfer and he asked whether he would travel to a golf resort in Mexico and he said maybe. Then he asked what if it was a TPC and then it was an absolute yes as he knew that it would be great. That flipped a switch, there is credibility and an awareness of very high standards.

What does the TPC Network gain from 59club’s mystery shopping products?

We have a sales process in all areas of our business and that has always been very relationship driven and requires asking a lot of questions and 59club’s process is a perfect match for that. What we weren’t doing is measuring how our salespeople were delivering this and that’s what 59club can do for us with the mystery shoppers.

They will visit as a prospective member or guest and give us a clear scorecard on what we are doing and not doing, and we’ll get the results within weeks.

They will give us a comprehensive review, including images of the property, and test various standards from the initial phone call through to playing the course and analysing the conditioning, all the way to measuring the lunch experience at the end of the round.

How do you calculate the ROI on 59club’s services?

We have had a recent instance where we had a new salesperson and we found that there weren’t a lot of relationship-style questions being asked. So, we utilised 59club to go through a full training of the sales process, that person quickly got the hang of it, and they became one of our top salespeople. And a similar thing happened with a second member of staff.

I’m not going to let them go for as long as I’m in the chair, we’re so confident in their processes, it’s invaluable.