International Club Management Expert to Share 30 Years of Global Club Management Best Practices with Golf Course Owners and Operators
VANCOUVER, BC — Golf Industry Guru (GIG), the premier membership-based online learning platform for golf course owners and operators, today announced an exclusive Q&A call featuring John Blanch, General Manager of Scotland’s prestigious Loch Lomond Golf Club. The interactive session, scheduled for Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 11:00 AM Pacific / 2:00 PM Eastern, will focus on industry-leading club management best practices and international operational strategies that drive success across diverse markets and cultures.
While these GIG Member Q&A Calls are often for GIG Members only, we’re excited to be making this call available to everyone in the industry and you can tune in here: https://www.youtube.com/live/UDDjutrP1og?si=CdwtB3qK6IVQHEzV. Golf industry professionals can also learn more about Golf Industry Guru membership and exclusive content at golfindustryguru.com.
Blanch brings an unprecedented 30 years of international experience in golf club management, having successfully operated elite golf facilities across four continents. His impressive career includes leadership roles at some of the world’s most prestigious venues, including his current position at Loch Lomond Golf Club, his former role as General Manager of Wentworth Club (host of the 2023 BMW PGA Championship), and senior positions at Thai Country Club and elite venues across Portugal, China, and Vietnam.
“What separates elite golf clubs isn’t just location or amenities – it’s understanding the industry-leading management principles and best practices that create exceptional experiences anywhere,” said James Cronk, Co-Founder of Golf Industry Guru. “John’s unique perspective, having successfully managed world-class clubs across such diverse markets, offers our members insights they simply can’t get anywhere else.”
This exclusive session adds to Golf Industry Guru’s extensive library of over 250 hours of golf business-specific training content, featuring collaboration with industry experts including Gregg Patterson, Melissa Hansen, Chef Matthew Gilbert, Three & Jackie Carpenter, Robert Sereci, Colin A. Burns, and many more.
The comprehensive session will explore critical operational insights through Blanch’s unique career journey, addressing key areas including:
- Universal Service Excellence vs. Cultural Adaptation: What remains consistent about world-class member service across different countries and cultures, and what must be adapted based on local expectations and traditions.
- From Shop Floor to Executive Suite: How Blanch’s origins as a trainee and assistant professional continue to influence his general management decisions and operational philosophy today.
- Learning from Failure and Challenge: The most valuable lessons learned from major challenges that shaped his approach to club operations.
- Tournament-Level Event Management: Skills mastered for hosting high-profile events and how tournament operational standards can elevate day-to-day private club operations.
- The Inverted Organizational Chart in Practice: Real-world implementation of servant-leadership principles at Loch Lomond, where leaders support frontline staff rather than traditional top-down management.
- PGA Talent Development: Strategies for identifying and developing PGA-qualified talent, plus insights on where clubs typically under-invest in professional development.
- Modern Membership Engagement: What programming and amenities actually drive engagement among younger, family-focused members at top-tier clubs.
- Technology for Enhanced Management: Practical technology tools that have helped enhance GM effectiveness across different markets.
- Global Management Skills That Travel: The essential skills that translate to any global market and practical advice for aspiring international general managers.
As a PGA Member, Blanch advocates for hiring qualified PGA professionals and employs a hands-on management style that prioritizes team development and service excellence. His servant-leader approach has been instrumental in creating first-class operations that deliver the ultimate golf experience to members and guests across vastly different cultural contexts.
The interactive format will allow participants to ask direct questions about their specific operational challenges, making this a unique opportunity for golf course owners and operators to gain personalized insights from one of the industry’s most internationally experienced professionals.
Anyone in the golf industry can access the live session via the YouTube link above. The call will also be recorded and made available for later viewing, though Golf Industry Guru encourages live participation to take advantage of the interactive Q&A opportunity.
About Golf Industry Guru (GIG):
For just a few dollars per day, Golf Industry Guru is a membership-based website that’s constantly updated for online learning to help golf course owners, operators, and their team members achieve greater success. Currently featuring over 250 hours of golf business-specific training content, GIG provides various resources and expert advice from numerous industry leaders on all aspects of golf club management. The platform benefits every team member at a club by providing tools and knowledge to improve skills and performance in their roles.
The platform also features ChatGURU, the industry’s first ChatGPT style chatbot tailored specifically for the golf business, providing accurate responses using GIG’s extensive training content while ensuring a secure, privacy-first experience.
For more information, visit golfindustryguru.com.
About John Blanch:
John Blanch is General Manager of Loch Lomond Golf Club and brings 30 years of international experience in golf club management. His career spans multiple continents, including senior leadership roles at Wentworth Club, Thai Country Club, and prestigious venues across Portugal, China, Vietnam, and Thailand. As a PGA Member, he is passionate about team development and is widely recognized for his commitment to world-class service excellence and innovative servant-leader management style.
Media Contact: James Cronk
- Email: james@golfindustryguru.com
- Phone: 604-889-4707
- Website: golfindustryguru.com
Event Details: Date: Tuesday, August 26, 2025
- Time: 11:00 AM Pacific / 2:00 PM Eastern
- Platform: YouTube Live Stream – https://www.youtube.com/live/UDDjutrP1og?si=CdwtB3qK6IVQHEzV
- Registration: Not required. Open to all industry professionals
- Learn more about GIG membership: golfindustryguru.com