BGL Team Newsletter - June/July 2023

BGL Team News

TOP STORIES / CEO UPDATE / LATEST NEWS / SUPPORT OFFICE

16

PAGES

DONATION - MULLIGANS BIRMINGHAM

A potentially life-saving partnership between the Charlie Ramsey Research Fund, Mulligans Birmingham, and St Peter's Catholic Primary School has seen a much-needed defibrillator and 24-hour access cabinet donated to the school. The donation, made possible through the relentless efforts of dedicated supporters and regular fundraising events organised by the charity, aims to enhance the safety and well-being of the local community.

Continued on page 12.

THE SHROPSHIRE INVESTS £400K INTO IMPRESSIVE NEW DRIVING RANGE FACILITY

A £400k investment into The Shropshire’s driving range facility has been unveiled, reflecting BGL’s unwavering commitment to providing state-of-the-art facilities for golfers of all levels.

Continued on page 6.

CONTENTS PAGE

CEO UPDATE

From Colin Mayes

ADVENTURE LEISURE

Mulligans Bristol Now Open

Mulligans Basildon - Lucy Abraham

Mulligans Birmingham - Defibrillator

Donation & Connor's AGM Achievements

Richard Wood - Level 7, Strategic Leadership

BGL GOLF

Burhill G&L - Sustainability Commitments

Burhill GC - Regional Open Qualifier

Shropshire GC - Driving Range

Redevelopment

Ramsdale Park GC - Newsletter Items

Burhill GC - Battle Back Golf Event

Redbourn GC - Steve Hunter Departure

SUPPORT OFFICE

People 'Learning at Work Week'

5 Years Plus Service

NINJA LEISURE

Southampton - Pride & Charity

Manchester - P!NK Hosts Daughter's Birthday Party

CEO UPDATE

Colin Mayes

Dear Colleagues,

Here we are in the middle of the summer, and I hope you have been enjoying the good weather and making the most of summer activities.

The UK weather is something we all talk about and yet again it’s not disappointing us this year - the warm weather has given our golf business a great boost with all our golf clubs busy both with members’ play and independent golfers who are still keen to keep their game up to scratch. We were slightly worried that the post-Covid effect would kick in and all the newcomers to golf we gained during the Covid pandemic would go back to whatever they were doing before. Thankfully to date, this hasn’t happened, and all our clubs are reporting a healthy demand for golf, assisted by the recent bout of good, warm, sunny weather.

It is not quite the same for our Adventure Leisure business which of course is mainly indoors. Since the recent spell of warm and sunny weather the Mulligans, Bunkers and Ninja businesses have seen quite a drop off in demand which has encouraged the management

team to think about what other promotional activity we can generate to attract customers back into our venues. Recently I visited the Swansea businesses with our Account Director from HSBC bank. It was a hot, sunny day when we visited and although neither business was at full capacity, we were busier than I had expected. Ninja Warrior had a number of youngsters celebrating birthdays and the business presented itself well as did all the staff members who were on duty. I was also delighted to see Swansea Bunkers slightly busier than I had expected and we were certainly one of the busiest bars when we walked around the area to view our competitors. When business does take a downturn, it is important that we also maintain our operational standards and continue to deliver outstanding levels of service to those customers that choose to come and visit us. Our two teams at Swansea, led by Richard Byrne, our General Manager, were doing just that, prompting our HSBC director to make a number of positive comments about the great attitude of the team members that he spoke to during the visit. So well done to both Swansea teams. Its always good to keep our bank manager happy!!!

This month I was involved in a couple of my favourite events of the year, the first one being our annual golf match with the golf industry leaders v The Battle Back Golfers (utilises golf to enhance the recovery of wounded, injured and sick service personnel) which we held at Burhill Golf Club at the beginning of May. Then in June, Burhill hosted our annual suppliers' golf day, where we invite our key business suppliers and contacts to enjoy our hospitality. Heather,

my PA, plans and coordinates this event ensuring everyone is organised for the day which was hugely enjoyed by all the guests as well as the BGL and Burhill Club teams. We also managed to raise over £2,000 for the Battle Back Golf Charity on the day which will help them support their events during the year. You can read more about this later in the newsletter.

This month we also held our Annual General Meeting for the Guinness family shareholders in London. The event was very well attended by a wide range of family members both young and old. Jim Conlan, our Chief Finance Officer, and I presented the 2022 financial results to the family and our plans for 2023 and beyond. I am delighted to say that all shareholders were very positive about the performance of the business, and they are looking forward to seeing the result of all our hard work this year. One interesting note to point out is that in 2022 we invested more money into the business at just over £8m than we actually made. We are very proud of the fact that we are investing in all of our futures.

The first half of 2023 has gone broadly to plan with the Golf Division doing slightly better than expected and currently just over its budget target. Adventure Leisure and Ninja Warrior have just seen trading conditions become more difficult with the onset of the warmer weather and the effects of tightening family budgets given the increase in interest rates and inflation as it takes its toll on our customers' spending ability.

We can all see that the economy is coming under real pressure and that may mean we will have to start adjusting our plans if we start to

see real signs of difficulty coming through the business in the second half of the year.

We are still expanding and this month we have opened our new Mulligans site in Bristol’s Cribbs Causeway which you can read more about in this issue. We are also now on site at our new Bunkers site in Romford, North London, which we hope to have open by October 2023. At the Shropshire Golf Club the new Trackman driving range is also opening this month and all those involved have worked very hard to ensure all of these projects come to life.

We are also working hard on confirming new sites in both Dublin and Belfast for the future as well as a number of new venues for 2024.

At this time of the year, I know many of our businesses are running at full tilt, so to speak, and I would just like to thank you all for your continued support and hard work, it is very much appreciated by us all. Despite all the difficulties that we are facing with the economic turmoil in the UK and the troubles in Europe with Russia, I am still cautiously optimistic about the rest of the year for BGL. We will continue to sail a steady course through all these troubles and adjust the sails as required to ensure continued success.

Warmest regards

Colin Mayes CEO

THE GREAT VISITOR WELCOME AT RAMSDALE GC

BURHILL GOLF AND LEISURE - OUR SUSTAINABILITY COMMITMENTS

For the last decade, Burhill Golf and Leisure has been a sector leader in sustainable golf and climate action. These are our commitments for the coming years.

1. PLANNING, POLICIES AND PROCUREMENT

Responsible procurement across our supply chain and exceeding legislation.

2. STAFF AND GOLFER ENGAGEMENT

Engage staff and customers to foster their understanding, support, action and pride.

3. TAKING CLIMATE ACTION

Minimise emissions across operations, maximising carbon storage across golfing landscapes.

4. CONSERVING RESOURCES

Being efficient with clean and renewable energy; diversify water sources and minimise consumption; reduce single use materials and waste to landfill.

5. FOSTERING NATURE

Protect and enhance habitats, biodiversity, and ecosystem services, manage turf responsibly and avoid pollution risks.

6. STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES

Provide health and wellbeing through accessible products, while continuing to outreach into communities as a force for good and behaviour change.

7. TRACKING AND REPORTING

Track and analyse sustainability performance indicators to create annual facility and group wide reports and recommendations.

REGIONAL OPEN QUALIFIER - BURHILL GOLF CLUB

Burhill Golf Club held Regional Open Qualifying for the 151st Open Championship alongside 14 other venues on Monday 26th June.

Burhill had completed its five-year cycle in 2022 but was asked to step in at short notice due to one course dropping out at the last minute and an unprecedented level of entries from London/Southeast England.

The course looked fantastic, and the club team and many members supported in the build-up and from 5am to 9pm on the day.

Final qualifying takes place w/c 3rd a July and The Open takes place at Royal Liverpool on 20-23rd July.

BGL Golf

THE SHROPSHIRE INVESTS £400K INTO IMPRESSIVE NEW DRIVING RANGE FACILITY

I'm thrilled to share the exciting news from The Shropshire Golf Centre in Telford, Shropshire! We have just completed a remarkable £400k renovation project for our driving range facility, and it is my pleasure to unveil this significant investment to you all . This incredible endeavor truly reflects the company's unwavering commitment to providing state-of-the-art facilities for golfers of all levels.

Let me tell you about our newly renovated driving range, which now boasts 30 spacious bays, each meticulously equipped with cutting-edge TrackMan technology. This advanced system is specifically designed to enhance your practice sessions and take your golfing skills to new heights. Whether you're an experienced golfer or just starting out on your golfing journey, our revamped facility offers an exceptional opportunity for you to elevate your game and indulge in an immersive range experience like never before.

To ensure a seamless and hassle-free experience for our valued customers at The Shropshire, we have also introduced a brand-new online bay booking system in collaboration with YourGolfBooking. This user-friendly platform enables both members and visitors to effortlessly reserve their preferred practice slots, making your time at the driving range even more efficient and enjoyable.

As part of our £400k investment, we have gone the extra mile to incorporate a

dedicated bar within the range facility. Now, you can savour delicious refreshments and mouthwatering food without the need to leave the practice area. Our attentive range hosts will be at your service from the afternoon until late evening on a daily basis, ready to take your orders. And for added convenience, we've also implemented handy QR codes in each bay, allowing you to place your order with ease.

We are eagerly preparing for the grand unveiling of our newly renovated driving range, and we couldn't be more excited. The special event will be exclusively for our members, providing them with the first opportunity to experience our state-of-the-art facility first-hand. We can't wait to witness the system in action and hear valuable feedback from our customers.

RAMSDALE PARK NEWSLETTER ITEMS

After the rescue of a massive swarm of honey bees on the 3rd tee at Ramsdale Park, General Manager, Theresa, is set on getting their own bees for the next season.

Following a six-week course on bee keeping and a bit of clearing for the perfect place for the hives, Ramsdale will soon be able to sell their own honey and bees wax!

The bees will come from the Queen that was rescued on Tuesday. Members have been asked what the dynasties will be called – of course they will be named Queen T!

BGL Golf

Bees comprise the most critical sector in our food chain. They are directly linked to the growth of plants which supply us with food and oxygen to breathe and keeps the air clean. It is our turn to protect the bees now. Their declining population suggests a looming global catastrophe. It’s never too late for anything. With proper measures to improve the greenery around us and active apiculture, we might find a solution to the problem.

BATTLE BACK GOLF EVENT AT BURHILL GOLF CLUB

Tristan Crew MBE

Executive Director - Member Services , The PGA

Colin Mayes, our CEO, hosted the Battle Back v The Battle Packers event and the background to BGL’s support and sponsorship with this programme is as follows:

Battle Back Golf started in 2009 with the concept of using the great game of golf to supplement the rehabilitative process for wounded, injured and sick personnel at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC), Headley Court in Surrey. The catalyst for the programme was the increased numbers of serving personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with complex and life changing injuries. The early stages of delivery were modest, running a golf coaching course for just four, but with the assistance of Phil Taylor, Master PGA Professional, and the utility of the driving range we were able to expose more to golf with evening taster sessions at Pachesham Park.

I will be blogging about the journey so watch this space!

• Jack Stoppard – Ramsdale Pro welcomed his first baby boy this month – Leo John Stoppard

• Josh Q uigley was promoted to AG and Driving Range Manager. Racked up 10 five-star Google reviews in the last month

• Members Recognition Night – 80 members joined us on 6th June on the driving range for a free members event. We put on free curry and competitions between 6-8 and a great time was had by all.

Arguably, however, the most influential encounter occurred in early 2010 with a phone call made from Kevin Hart to the second in command at DMRC, Maj Tristan Crew. Kevin offered his support and that of a number of his golf industry colleagues to raise money for DMRC. Central to this golf industry group was Colin Mayes who had been part of a fund-raising endeavour to donate golf buggies to the National Arboretum in Staffordshire to assist transportation around the large site. The golf industry group, later to be coined the Battle Packers after an unfortunate typo on their shirts, raised over £30,000 for Battle Back Golf by completing a Three Peaks Challenge allowing for the delivery of coaching, equipment and golfing opportunities.

The programme has since gone from strength to strength, supporting over 200 service personnel, it is now a fully registered charity. An average year will deliver approximately 25 events, the majority of which will see a Battle Back Golf team compete against a hosting golf club. Pre-Covid 19 there were also a number of international Ryder Cup style events against both the American and Australian wounded communities.

Continued on the next page.

BGL Golf

Most notably, the first victory against the American team was hosted by Colin Mayes and the BGL team at Burhill Golf Club in 2012.

We managed to raise over £2000 to support the Battle Back Golf Programme. This was raised via a charity raffle for a Burhill Experience Day and a chipping competition.

I am sure that Captain A.T.W. McCaul, Royal Artillery would be proud of the significant contribution that Burhill Golf Club has made to the rehabilitation of this most worthy of beneficiaries.

Sincerest thanks to Colin and all at Burhill Golf Club for your considerable and ongoing support.

Tristan Crew MBE

STEVE HUNTER DEPARTURE -REDBOURN

The year was 1996. The average house price in the UK was just over £53k.

England reached the semifinals of the Euros and Gareth Southgate missed a penalty to take them all the way.

The most precious event on the Battle Back calendar however remains the match against the Battle Packers. This is an annual match and sadly Covid–19 took its toll with the event being cancelled numerous times in recent years. We were delighted that it took place at Burhill and, on 16th May this year, the event returned for the 10th highly competitive contest. There was no better site than Burhill for this 10th anniversary. The reception and hospitality from both the members and the staff was, once again, truly exceptional only to be matched by the quality of the Old Course, a favourite of the Battle Back golfers who relived their 2012 exploits to secure victory. Humbled, honoured and privileged are all words that could be used to describe the feelings of all those in attendance, who witnessed the tangible respect between the two teams. The respect offered by the Battle Packers perhaps needs no explanation however one should never overlook the reciprocated respect and value of golf to this cohort of the military. The physical, psychological and cognitive benefits of golf have proven to be lifesaving. In the words of Derek Macdonald one of the Battle Back team on the day: “Prior to golf and specifically the Battle Back programme I had seriously contemplated taking my own life”.

Prince Charles, now King, divorced Princess Diana. Everyone went to Blockbuster to rent their films.

The Spice Girls released their first album that sold 23million copies worldwide.

And a young Stephen Hunter entered the scene at Redbourn…

After 27 years of dedicated service to Redbourn Golf Club, Steve, our Director of Golf, is moving on to pastures new. Steve and his wife Susan will be moving to Southwold in Suffolk to enjoy a life by the sea and plenty of walks with Dotty, their dog, on the beach. Steve has been an inspiration to countless golfers coming through the door and has nurtured people who were brand new to the game, taking them all the way to Club Captain. He has won many awards in his time, not counting beating his current General Manager to retail performance of the year award in 2018! Steve has shown a level head in the face of adversity and always quick with a smile and joke.

Steve will be missed by not only the staff, but also the members, many of whom remember the 1st day he arrived.

Steve, from all of us here at Redbourn, we wish you all the best and success in the future.

BGL Golf

HOEBRIDGE GC

Hello, my name is Connor, and I am currently the Food and Beverage Manager at Hoebridge Golf Centre. My very apparent love for food spills over from my job; I grow fruit and veg in my spare time on a local allotment. The allotment is a great community that has had a positive impact on myself and the local environment. Since the pandemic, I have looked to use my knowledge of growing to positively impact my local community. I now grow to give away, donating produce to the local hospice, foodbanks, and local families. Over the past few years, I have looked to challenge what can be grown in the U.K. diversifying to growing lemons, limes and even avocados!

SAMMY HAYWOOD'S MARATHON - BURHILL GC

Congratulations to Sammy Haywood, from the Golf Operations team at Burhill Golf Club, who successfully completed the London Marathon in April in a time of just under 4 hours - a brilliant effort for his first marathon!

Sammy raised £3876 for The British Heart Foundation. Well done Sammy!

I cannot recommend getting into gardening enough: free organic food, improved mental health and a great tan! Starting is easier than you think, with plants able to grow on a small windowsill or balcony. Be careful though, as once you’ve had your first success it can be very addictive!

BGL Golf

SUPPLIERS DAY WINNERS

Here are the results from the Suppliers Day Golf Tournament.

Hole In One winner

Straightest Drive winner

Nearest the pin

3rd place (Craig's team)

2nd place (Scott's team)

Winners (Rob Surgey's team)

Colin & Heather

Adventure Leisure

BRISTOL MULLIGANS

CRAZY GOLF NOW OPEN IN CRIBBS CAUSEWAY!

As the General Manager of this site, I am delighted to officially open our doors and extend a warm welcome to the people of the area. We are confident that Mulligan's Bristol is one of the top activity venues around, offering an unforgettable experience for all. There truly is something for everyone to enjoy here!

We are thrilled to announce the official opening of our brand-new Mulligan's crazy golf venue at The Venue, Cribbs Causeway.

Situated in the heart of Cribbs Causeway's The Venue, Mulligan's Bristol is the perfect place to enjoy a daytime adventure or an unforgettable evening. Our venue features two distinctive 12-hole indoor crazy golf courses: Loco and Zoro. Each course presents a range of thrilling challenges, complete with neon lighting, undulating greens in vibrant colours like blues, pinks, oranges, and yellows, as well as unique elements inspired by sports like surfing, skateboarding, and basketball. No matter your age or skill level, there's something exciting for everyone to enjoy.

In addition to crazy golf, we offer an array of other engaging activities. Test your aim with Electro-Darts, challenge your friends to Shuffleboard, indulge in classic Arcade Games, or showcase your skills on the pool table. When you're ready to take a break from the action, our modern bar and restaurant area provides the perfect setting to relax, savour a delicious meal, and enjoy a refreshing cocktail or your favourite drink.

BASILDON MULLIGANSLUCY ABRAHAM

Lucy is working for both Basildon and the Norwich site whilst at university. She has been with the Basildon site since 22/09/2021, and after a brief absence she returned in 2022. She has grown into a lovely confident young lady, since starting when she was a shy 16-year-old.

A lovely young lady who always works hard, she will cover shifts if needed and has also helped massively with the new team at Norwich.

Lucy has been had an incredibly positive influence on the whole team here at Mulligans Norwich. We are a new team that is growing in confidence and capability, meaning we are constantly learning and developing. Lucy has supported all of us with her experience and knowledge, which has consolidated much of what we have all learnt following the opening of our site. She is reliable, hard-working, always uses her initiative incredibly well and jumps in to support us when we have shifts that need covered.

Lucy is a credit to Mulligans, we are so grateful to have borrowed her from Basildon. That's why I believe she has been nominated for employee of the quarter at the Norwich site.

MULLIGANS BIRMINGHAM

Defibrillator Donation - St Peters Primary School

Broadway Plaza Centre Manager, Natal Chapman, together with Matt Strange, Manager at Mr Mulligans, attended a defibrillator presentation on Wednesday 14th June which resulted in the Charlie Ramsey Research Fund donating a much-needed defibrillator and 24-hour access cabinet to St Peter's Catholic Primary School. The heartfelt donation, made possible through the relentless efforts of dedicated supporters and regular fundraising events organised by the charity, aims to enhance the safety and well-being of the local community.

The installation of the defibrillator and its accompanying access cabinet marks a significant milestone in promoting emergency preparedness within Bartley Green. By locating the cabinet at the school gates, the equipment will be readily available to the wider community, ensuring prompt access in case of a life-threatening situation. Expressing his enthusiasm for the initiative, Matt

Strange shared his motivation behind getting involved: “When I heard that Charlie Ramsey Research Fund were supporting local schools I thought it was a great opportunity to give back to the community. I contacted my son’s school and put them in touch with the charity. They took care of the rest. My local community now has the opportunity to potentially save a life."

Natal Chapman, Broadway Plaza Centre Manager, emphasised the importance of collective efforts in ensuring the well-being of the community: “We are honoured to have played a part in this meaningful collaboration. The partnership between the Charlie Ramsey Research Fund, Mr Mulligans, and St Peter's Catholic Primary School showcases the remarkable impact that can be achieved when individuals and organisations unite for a common cause. We hope that this defibrillator will provide a sense of security and peace of mind to the community, knowing that lifesaving measures are readily available."

Mulligans Birmingham – Connor AGM Achievements

1.Connor won an Award, a WOW award, for services to west side bid (who are our local council governing district) for 16 years service to the hospitality industry.

2.Connor has completed his “leadership in running qualification" from England Athletics, so he is now a qualified coach.

RICHARD WOOD - LEVEL 7, STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP

The Charlie Ramsey Research Fund is a remarkable charity that tirelessly supports and champions local causes. Through their ongoing fundraising events and the unwavering dedication of their supporters, the charity continues to make a profound difference in the lives of countless individuals.

For more information about the Charlie Ramsey Research Fund and their charitable initiatives, please visit https://www.crrf.org.uk/

I am pleased to attach my successful completion of Level 7, Strategic Leadership. I have learnt a lot during this apprenticeship particularly applying theory to the real world. I have developed skills, knowledge and behaviours which assist with tackling the ambiguous problems leaders face, the future of work (FOW), accountability and governance and intrapreneurial practices. The ability to practice reflexivity, has been a key part of my journey, recognising the values and beliefs which drive me whilst learning to see things from the perspective of others. I will continue to apply authentic and relational leadership practices throughout BGL by living our core values and promoting collaborative practices throughout the organisation.

I would like to thank BGL for the opportunity to develop myself and a further special thank you to Victor for being my apprenticeship mentor over the last two years, and finally to let you know I am proud to be a Chartered Manager.

Ninja Leisure

NINJA SOUTHAMPTON

June has been a busy month here at Ninja Southampton, we started off celebrating pride month, the staff had rainbow face paint and stickers to show their support. We also decorated the reception and cafe area with flags, bunting and a large banner. We have a few members of staff who are within the LGBTQ community, and they all said that this was very supportive.

TOTAL NINJA MANCHESTER

Total Ninja welcomed a very special guest to their venue last month. Singer P!NK, real name Alecia Moore, threw a birthday party for her daughter Willow. With P!NK no stranger to high-flying stunts she was happy to take on a range of obstacles as well as the inflatable at the venue – including a few tumbles –while her daughter Willow and son Jameson showed off on challenges like monkey bars and rope swings.

We also had our 12-hour stair climb to raise money and awareness for SANDs during which we managed to raise a total of £465 on JustGiving and an additional £40 cash. Dylan, Danni, Shane and Scott’s legs are still recovering from the mountain of steps however we did not give up, in total Dylan managed to climb 638 flights of stairs and did a total of 37,321 steps. We had multiple customers throughout the day showing support and cheering us on - even though we were aching and sweating we pushed through and managed to finish the 12 hours. There was lots of sweat and tears however it is an accomplishment we can all now say we have completed, for such an amazing cause.

The party was decked out with helium balloons and a Wednesday Addams birthday cake. Their party was hosted by Axl, who did a great job and received great feedback along with all our staff, on how welcoming they were, and how they helped all the guests including birthday girl Willow who was 12. They hired food trucks to feed the guests of the party as they had dietary requirements.

Posting about the party on Instagram, the video has received 2.3m views along with over 250k likes and 3,000 comments. Since the party the Manchester Evening News, along with multiple local publications, have covered the story, providing great promotion for our venue.

Support Office

PEOPLE ‘LEARNING AT WORK WEEK’

Learning at Work Week was from the 15th to the 21st May. The People Team asked colleagues to email in a photo, showing evidence of ‘learning at work’ during that week. A big thank you to Worcester, Southampton, Ramsdale, Aldwickbury Park, Ninja Milton Keynes, Basildon, Wycombe Heights, Sheffield and Thornbury for taking part! The draw took place on the 22nd May, and the winner was... BASILDON!

5 YEARS PLUS SERVICE - JUNE/ JULY

Martin Peck

Colin Mayes

Sarah Blunden

Simon Shaw

Steven Brown

Jemma Maddison

Julie Hale

Alexander Mendoza

Joseph Bowen

Gary Boxall

Jessica Rosser

Haydn Drinkwater

Eliot Wise

Amy Edwards

Tim Merry

Elizabeth Welch

Megan Thompson

Conor Morris

Lucy Young

Michele Jeal