Golf Europe 2012 got well and truly underway yesterday with the first of the show days at Messe Augsburg, the new host centre for Golf Europe having moved from it’s previous home in Munich.
Doors opened at 9:00am with Professionals from Germany as well as further afield coming in to sample what the show had to offer. With two exhibition halls packed full of the latest and greatest in club technology, accessories, holiday destinations, and ventures into the golf industry, there was always going to be something for everyone throughout the show.
Also partnering The Confederation of Professional Golf at the show, is the PGA of Germany, who together have set up the Teaching and Coaching Seminar Forum located in Hall 2 of the Messe Augsburg exhibition halls. Speakers from all over Europe will be passing on their knowledge to Professionals this week and today’s experts got this off to a great start.
First up for the day was Andreas Gross, a German-native marketing and management consultant, invited by the PGAs of Germany to discuss his thoughts on marketing manager for golf professionals.
Following on from Andreas, was guest of The Confederation of Professional Golf Matias Lopes, Founder and Southern Europe Managing Director of Multi Mall Management, passing on his thoughts new retail opportunities and threats, such as the ever-increasing usage of smartphones and the influence that ‘Generation-Y’ are having on the retail industry and how best to hone and cultivate those individuals.
After a short break, David Colclough, Head of Member Education for The PGA of Great Britain & Ireland, began his seminar on the development of expertise in coaching, looking into what it is that characterises an ‘expert coach’, as well investigating how experts themselves learn.
“I think the concept of the show is fantastic,” said David, “we’ve got some great speakers here this week, so it’s a great chance to come and learn about some of the new products that are here at the show, but also take in some education from some really good speakers”.
The last of the day’s seminars was conducted by European Senior Director of Instruction for David Leadbetter Golf Academies Germany, Paul Dyer, discussing the focus that should be placed on the short game and scoring within a coaching environment. Dyer looked specifically at short game training, the role putter fitting can play in the act of coaching, as well as wedge play strategies, all with ` focus on how professionals should be taking the factors into account.
Follow more of the action live from Golf Europe over on the @PGAsofEurope Twitter Account.