Seasonal Course Maintenance Staff Solutions with David Burton & Scott Kolb

The GIG Podcast

In this episode of the GIG Podcast, we explore how to leverage the opposite summer seasons of Australia and Canada through an exchange program that imports golf course personnel between both countries. The goal is to make it easier for Canadian golf courses to recruit Australian-based grounds staff and vice versa.

EnvoyGolf in Australia and Fresh Golf Solutions in Canada are recruitment firms who specialize in golf. Together, with the endorsement and promotional support of the CGSA and NGCOA Canada, a new reciprocal working visa program for golf is being launched in Canada. All logistics, such as screening candidates, working visas, insurance, and travel arrangements will be professionally managed by EnvoyGolf, with support from Fresh Golf Solutions. The primary focus will be upon seasonal Grounds Staff. EnvoyGolf has had previous success implementing this same program between Australia and Scandinavian countries.

Highlights from this episode of The GIG Podcast that you don’t want to miss include:

· Find out what specifically are the labour challenges facing the industry?

· Learn about EnvoyGolf and what they are doing to help with this labour shortage issue?

· Hear about the numerous benefits of the cross-border program to the employees that participate in it.

· Understand the benefits of the cross-border program to the clubs that decide to get involved.

· Find out about how the visa process works for Canadians.

· Hear about some of the success stories relating to past participants from other countries in this program.

· Understand what the key factors one should consider when deciding if this is right for them?

About David Burton

Before joining EnvoyGolf, David was the General Manager at New South Wales Golf Club from 1996 to 2020.

He is the Past President and Life member of Golf Management Australia, past Director on the Board of the Australian Golf Industry Council, past Director on the Board of the Golf Management Australia (NSW Division) as well as a past Director of another company outside of golf.

Through 24 years as a club manager, David has seen firsthand the difficulties that clubs face in finding resources in all areas of their operation. This has been exacerbated by the increase in club activity and course rounds resulting from the Covid 19 pandemic. David also understands the need to make resourcing a seamless and cost-effective process for management.

With a wealth of experience, David will be of great assistance to clubs using the EnvoyGolf resourcing services.

About Scott Kolb

Starting as a PGA of Canada member in 1992, Scott has been involved with all facets of the Canadian Golf Industry. He has worked with most of the golf associations including as a Board member of the Canadian Society of Club Managers, PGA of Canada, PGA of BC, NGCOA provincial committee and the Camosun College advisory committee of the Professional Golf Management Program.
Scott has been awarded provincially and nationally. He has won the Merchandiser of the Year for Golf Shop of the Year from PGA of Canada, Club of the Year from the Canadian Society of Club Managers, Inaugural winner of the Executive Professional of the year for PGA of BC and the Fore Seasons winner of the NGCOA/PGA of BC award.

To learn more about this unique and innovative program, visit https://www.envoygolf.com or https://www.freshgolf.ca/envoygolf.

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