management team
Sole director: ian denny
PGA Professional Ian Denny completed the PGA Trainee Program in 1986 serving his time at Victoria Golf Club in Melbourne. In that year he won the PGA Trainee order of merit, was PGA Captain and was awarded the Tommy Armour Trainee of the Year Award. Through his endeavours over 20 years in the industry he has earned a AAA rating with the PGA.
In August 1987 Ian was appointed as Head Professional of the Amstel Golf Club, at that stage the youngest Head Professional in the industry. In 1995 Ian was instrumental in forming Pro Power, a buying and marketing group franchise for club professionals. This franchise operation grew to a point where there were fifteen franchisees before being subsequently purchased by the PGA and re-branded as PGA National in 1999. Ian was again heavily involved with the transition sitting on the Board of PGA Australia from 2000 to 2003 as Chairman of PGA National. His peers acknowledge Ian as an innovative and successful business operator. This acknowledgement was formally recognised when he was awarded the 2007 PGA Club Professional of the Year.
Key strengths:
- Ability to work with a controlling body (Board of Directors) to achieve common goals
- Innovative marketing and retailing solutions
- Strong relationships with key players in the industry
- Knowledge of the golf industry and what is required to provide the golfer with the service level they expect
- Implementation and management of systems that maximise player throughputs in peak time slots
- Excellent understanding of golf course requirements in relation to both course maintenance and preparation for events
chief operations finance: phillip redley
Phillip Redley holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) and with a background of senior management roles in a variety of industries. He has a strong understanding of all aspects of business management and development. Phillip’s speciality areas are developing and implementing business plans and structuring small and medium size organisations with sustainable methods of operation to ensure the achievement of targets. These roles have not been in the form of a consultancy but as an active member of the organisational structure responsible for general management, financial reporting and human resource management (including staff training, OH&S, Award and AWA negotiation).
Having acted for several golf professionals from both private and public golf courses, Phillip is one of the few accountants that has a fulll understanding of the intricate nature within the golf industry leading to him taking a permanent role at ‘GSM’ to take a leading role in the business expansion. In addition to these professional attributes Phillip currently serves as Treasurer at The Flinders Golf Club.
Key Strengths:
- Proven track record in the general management and development of small business structures
- Research and formulation of achievable business plans that are linked to time frames
- Development of efficient operational and administrative support systems including OH&S
- People management including effective training programs and communication
- Innovative in regard to problem solving and alternative methods of achieving targets
- Nuts and bolts involvement in projects, ensuring an understanding of all issues
business manager: dean trobbiani
Dean Trobbiani has 10 years experience in various golf industry roles including Club Management, Retail Operations and Management, Hospitality Management, Marketing, Website Development and Human Resource Consulting. Dean holds a Bachelor of Business (Tourism & Enterprise Management) degree, and his skills and expertise have been highly sought after by many industry stakeholders.
Key Strengths:
- Experience and understanding of all facets of Golf Operations including venue operations and management, provision of food and beverage services, retail sales and management
- Strong communication and Human Resource Development skills
- Excellent administrative and reporting skills
- Expertise in marketing planning and implementation
operations Manager: stuart robertson
Stuart Robertson has been involved in both the on-course and off-course facets of the industry for the past ten years. Stuart was recruited from Golf Works where he held the position of Store Manager and under his guidance over the past two years both the sales turnover and gross margin performance of the company’s retail operation has strengthened. Stuart has quickly developed his skills in the operation and control of all staff functions related to on-course golf activities, specifically the efficient operation of 1st tee management to enure optimum return in peak periods, course marshalling to allow larger numbers of players to be processed and ensure return visitation from players because of acceptable round speeds and general behaviour by patrons. In addition to his professional skills Stuart is a successful amateur golfer with a current handicap of 5.
Key Strengths:
- Development and implementation of sales and marketing plans
- Ability to exceed sales targets while maintaining gross margin across all product segments
- Strong and flexible manager, able to motivate staff and develop strong selling skills
- Communication
operations Manager: Adam Hayes
Adam Hayes completed the entry requirements of the Australian PGA in 1989 after completing a three-year traineeship at Victoria Golf Club in Melbourne’s famous sandbelt region. Adam secured a national tour invitation in his third year of training recording a number of successful tournament results over a period of 4 years whilst maintaining a teaching role at Victoria Golf Club. In 1994 Adam was appointed to the position of Head Professional at The Flinders Golf Club and in 1998 he moved to Keysborough Golf Club that at the time was ranked in Australia’s top 50 courses. At both venues Adam delivered a high level of service whilst overseeing the increased role the pro shop played in timesheet and golf operations management. During this period he achieved and has maintained a ‘AAA’ rating with the PGA.
In 2004 Adam joined the Handbury Group to participate in establishing The Sands Torquay as a fully integrated life style golf resort. This broad and challenging role encompassed all aspects of club life managing the golf course set up and opening, new membership roll out, staff recruitment & training, Health Club Management and Residential Estate & Golf Course Maintenance. During the construction of the 112 room hotel complex, Adam was involved at a project management
level in all facets of the development.
Key Strengths:
- 20+ years industry experience
- 'Hands On’ management style
- Experienced in building strong relationships with corporate clients
- Ability to plan, develop, and meet, all financial and budgetary requirements
- Food and Beverage operation
- Intricate understanding of golf resort operations
Other GSM key personnell:
