Phuket, Thailand: The PGA of Great Britain & Ireland Members’ International Conference made a successful return to Angsana Laguna Phuket with 50 delegates and 16 expert speakers reaffirming the event’s place as a key fixture for professional development and global connection within the golf industry.

Set against the stunning backdrop of Thailand’s Laguna resort, the four-day gathering, which was supported by Toro and Club Car, struck a balance between education, inspiration, and enjoyment.

This year saw the introduction of two distinct learning pathways – coaching and management – designed to give members the freedom to tailor their experience to their professional focus. The format was well received, with many praising its relevance and flexibility.

Across both pathways, sessions explored some of the most pressing challenges and exciting opportunities facing golf today and in the future.

Within management, sustainability emerged as a key theme, with Toro’s Gareth Knight sharing innovative approaches to turf care and Andrew Johnston of Sentosa Golf Club offering a compelling vision for building eco-conscious, world-class facilities in his session, ‘The Sentosa Story’.

On the coaching side, there was emphasis on holistic player development, both physical and mental. Dr Ian Peek addressed the topic of mental health among athletes, while also presenting insights from his ‘Pathway to the Tour’ study.

Kiran Mistry then delved into physical conditioning for performance whilst Steven Furlonger demonstrated the growing impact of 3D technology in coaching.

PGA Master Coach Jonathan Wallett led a standout session on building a successful golf academy, outlining the strategic elements that drive both membership growth and player development. His focus on elevating coaching standards and academy effectiveness was particularly well received by delegates looking to expand their operations.

Meanwhile, Carl Heaton introduced delegates to the power of artificial intelligence and digital marketing. His workshop explored how AI-driven tools can enhance campaign impact, improve client engagement and help professionals connect with the next generation of golfers.

Inclusivity was on Elisa Gaudet’s agenda, as she delivered a powerful session on expanding opportunities through initiatives like Women’s Golf Day.

With a wide range of expert-led discussions throughout the four days, delegates were exposed to a broad, forward-thinking schedule designed to reflect the diversity and evolution of roles across the golf industry.

Araya Singhsuwan, Director of Operations and Business Development at Absolute Golf Services, said: “The event was a great success. All the topics, speakers and industry attendees coming together to share an update on what’s going on keeps us all connected as an industry. It’s important we share these ideas.”

Beyond the classroom, the conference delivered other memorable moments. Delegates enjoyed a welcome party, 18 holes at Laguna Golf Club and a gala dinner. Custom shirts, embroidered with each member’s PGA designation, became an unexpected highlight, prompting introductions and sparking conversation.

Paul Wilson, Managing Director, Laguna Phuket, Banyan Group, said: “I love the conference. It’s a great chance to meet others. Leaving the United Kingdom to work in golf can often make you feel disconnected so it’s a great place to network with people and it’s a great location. Aside from looking forward to playing the golf course at Laguna, catching up with people, networking and learning from some of the presentations on show is so important.”

Wayne Johnson, PGA International Manager, added: “This year marked a big step forward for the Conference. The pathway format gave delegates real choice, and the level of engagement from speakers and Members alike was inspiring. Planning is already underway for next year’s conference, and we look forward to building on this momentum and welcoming even more PGA Members in 2026.”

*The PGA of Great Britain & Ireland, Toro, Club Car and Absolute Golf Services are all members of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.