This week’s episode of 'Wish You Were Here!' comes all the way from the paradise haven of Milton Keynes!

Unfortunately I'm not Judith Chalmers...and neither is MK a paradise haven!!

However it, and in particular the impressive MK Dons Football Stadium, does make a great venue for what has just been the second Foremost Annual Conference and Awards Dinner. So after a long season I decided the best thing to do would be to take a short break and fill my already blender-like brain with more business initiatives for next year!!

So myself and a few hundred 'like-minded' (I hear people using that phrase and can only think 'God help any others who have a mind like mine! You know, one that bungies from gutter inspired humour to head in the clouds 'ambition before ability' ideas!)

Anyhooo, we were all treated to 2 thought provoking and inspiring educational days by Foremost and many of the Companies and Experts that support the Group. A group that is there with a sole purpose of making me better at MY job!

And here's the good news! (Other than you've got rid of me for a few days) As I endeavour to improve my business, and more importantly my service levels & standards, the people that are going to benefit the most are...YOU my Members, my Club!

All of the insight and info. I picked up during this trip was focused on improving YOUR 'At Club' experience and 'On Course' performance.

So, who's with me!?

Here's a little flavour of what I picked up over the few days.

Whilst 90% of the Presentations were delivered by Brands/Manufacturers they weren't trying to pitch or sell their Products. Instead they were trying to instill 'Best Practices' in delivering better Services based around the 'Kind' of Products they specialise in.

And with the search for new Shop Staff a task for this Off Season, the priority to find people that can and want to deliver high Customer Experience Standards is top of the list!

On a similar vein, part of that Customer...or let's call it more, Members, Experience is my communication with you guys. Something that I try very hard with already as I believe it is the main job of the Club Professional to engage with their Members and inspire them to love the game and love their Club!

So the guys from Foremost were showcasing the improvements and initiatives they have come up with that will allow me to 'Up My Game' with both In-Store and 'Reach Out' Communication.

They exposed me to some 'Society Trends' that has encouraged me ask for some 'Market Research' from you guys.

Apparently these days 77% of people will engage with e-Communication of various kinds via a Mobile Device (Phone, Tablet...Paper Aeroplane, Carrier Pigeon, etc!!...obviously not the last 2 but just checking you're still with me!?)

Out with the formal Education the rare opportunity to Network and Socialise with many fellow 'Like-Minded' Professionals (yip, there are plenty as daft and eccentric as me...although it turns out not as good at drinking #lightweights)...where was I going with this again!? Oh yeah, we end up sharing great ideas and experiences that we've had at our respective Clubs. And did I mention there was some socialising!? Foremost always put on a fantastic Awards Dinner. Unfortunately I wasn't up for any of those awards this year, but I've been fortunate to win 3 and be nominated another twice in previous years, so I'm hungry to work hard and see if I can get in amongst the nominations in the near future.

I was pleased to see 3 other Scottish Professionals recognised for their efforts this year, with Niall McGill from Noah's Arch Golf Centre claiming the prestigious 'Foremost Professional Of The Year' accolade.

One of the Seminar Sessions I felt was very Product Specific focused, but I thought it was worth highlighting it because it is very pertinent to us both was Motocaddy.

Motocaddy is a company I very much support as they make excellent Trollies and Bags. They were also the driving force behind the Trade In initiative to encourage golfers to upgrade to the benefits of Lithium Batteries.

So with 'Trollies', 'Bags', 'Lithium' and 'Trade In' in mind I want to really highlight and hammer home the unrivalled value I can offer to you - especially RIGHT NOW!

Last week I launched the 'FREE Golf Bag' with any Motocaddy Lithium Trolley Promotion.

BUT REMEMBER - I can also offer you a TRADE IN Facility for your Old Trolley against this new one - Saving you even more money!

But you might be one of the frustrated people sitting there thinking 'I just bought a Lithium Battery in Stuart's Battery Trade In, so that's no use to me!'

Well, I am also able to provide you a 'Frame Only' purchase (unfortunately no FREE Bag!) HOWEVER you can also still take advantage of my Trolley Trade In facility. So you can keep your new Lithium Battery and save money on a New Frame!

I'll keep the Club News brief this week as I've not been around to gather any, however I did attend the Junior Section Prize Giving last Friday.

It was absolutely brilliant to see the Clubhouse bursting full of Kids of all ages and proud parents/families.

Huge Congratulations to all those who collected Trophies & Awards for their successes throughout the Season. On a personal note I was particularly excited about announcing the 2018 Recipient of my Junior Scholarship Award. After a standout Season which included numerous Trophy wins, a Counties Title and being crowned the Junior Club Champion it was an easy decision to present my Award to Finlay Wallace, and I'm really looking forward to working alongside him next Season.