Apr
23
NEGN launch event a success
On the morning of the North East Golf Network’s inaugural tournament, readers of The Journal’s business pages enjoyed the benefit of Alistair Smith explaining amended paternity leave rights in the newspaper’s New Legislation & Employment Law supplement.
He was pictured in his business suit, so Journal readers were no doubt surprised to see him popping up again in another picture during the same week wearing his golf clothes.
Alistair, a 17-handicap golfer, reflected on the launch event of our network by saying: “Jacksons attach great importance to networking – the main benefit being that it fosters business relationships. The combination of networking and golf is a perfect formula in my opinion.
“Close House golf course was in good condition for this early stage of the season and there was an excellent coaching session laid on before the tournament.”There were some high level business people there and because everyone had a common interest, golf, there was a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. This is a new idea which works.”
The main driving forces behind our business network are Ian Pilkington, the managing director of Stocksfield firm i.2.i Consultants and PGA golf professional Mark Stancer, of N1 Golf in Morpeth.
Ian says: “We would have liked more than a dozen for the launch tournament, but we did not publicise it as early as we might have done, in fact Alistair Smith only read about it in The Journal business pages a week earlier.
“There were many businessmen golfers who did not know about the launch event in time to schedule it into their diary and we already know there will be at least three times as many people for the next event.
“But we had good weather and that is all golfers need to enjoy themselves and the craic all through the golf and the highly informal meal afterwards was excellent. Everybody got on with each other very well indeed.
“We know it will keep on mushrooming and one day I would not be surprised to see this become a national golf business network. All the initial vibes are excellent.”
