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Teeing off to new heights: Hutcheon and Pearce's strategic drive in the Australian golf industry

Golf is not just a sport but a significant economic force, with PGA Australia’s recent report highlighting a staggering $10.3 billion annual expenditure generated by golf, outpacing other leisure activities like cycling and fishing. It’s within this lucrative and growing sector that H&P (H&P) has decisively expanded its footprint, especially following the acquisition of four LandHQ branches, marking a significant stride in reinforcing its commitment to the golf industry.

Stephen Foster, Key Accounts Manager for Golf & Turf at H&P, shares insights into the company’s current dynamics within the golf business and its vision for future growth.

"Golf is indeed big business. H&P as a business has learnt a lot in 5 years about the golf market by working with LandHQ and are now at a point of implementation of a growth strategy. There are a lot of lessons from H&P’s growth in agriculture to apply now to the golf and sports turf industry. The upskilling capabilities of technicians will increase now with the full support of H&P."

Stephen Foster, Key Accounts Manager for Golf & Turf

The recent acquisition of the LandHQ branches and their existing golf customer base has positioned H&P to leverage its expanded network to serve the burgeoning golf market more effectively. With 476 golf facilities in New South Wales and an additional 14 in ACT, the opportunities for H&P in this densely populated golfing landscape are vast. Foster explains, “The acquisition has fundamentally changed our status in the golf market. With the ability to service our growing customer base through an increased number of branches, we’re now equipped with stronger touchpoints for our customers.” This expansion is not just about broadening H&P’s geographical reach; it’s about enriching the level of service and expertise that can be offered to the golf community.

H&P’s commitment to the golf industry is further evidenced by its ability to source a comprehensive range of John Deere golf equipment, from commercial and fairway mowers to aeration equipment and bunker rakes. However, it’s the anticipation of the first electric mower in the country, arriving at H&P in April, that Foster finds particularly exhilarating. “This is a pivotal moment for John Deere and H&P in the journey towards electrification,” he says. “This is exciting because John Deere has been careful to walk before they run with electrification so you know that we will now have a comprehensive product that is industry leading in cut quality and battery life, lifecycle and overall ownership cost. There is another machine tipped to be released later this year so there is a momentum in the electrification.” H&P will take the 225E to all partner and industry events to share the exciting advancement. If you want a local demonstration, please reach out the Golf and Turf Team at your local H&P branch.

The economic impact of golf is a narrative of growth and opportunity, with the sport contributing significantly to Australian businesses and workers. Foster reflects on this aspect, stating, “Golf’s economic footprint is undeniable, with benefits flowing from tourism, employment, and even health system cost savings due to the sport’s contribution to a healthier society.” H&P’s role in this ecosystem is multifaceted. Supporting the community is a key H&P value. Foster highlights the company’s involvement in initiatives like the Women in Turf program and sponsorships of local and state turf associations as evidence of H&P’s dedication to fostering an inclusive and educated golf community. “H&P are committed to continuing to support our local and State Turf Associations. We are currently supporting the NSW Golf Course Superintendents Association and we are a major sponsor of the John Deere Ambrose Day, VIC Golf Course Superintendents Association, a platinum sponsor of the ACT Golf Course Superintendents Association. We are also major sponsors for WEBEX series on the Murray river. Providing sponsorship to be able to fund educational events for the turf industry is something H&P is keen to grow.” He further highlights H&P’s commitment to fostering diversity within the sport, “We are deeply passionate about promoting gender diversity and inclusivity, particularly for staff with disability support needs. With golf enjoying unprecedented attendance, thanks in part to more flexible working arrangements, we see a tremendous opportunity to make the sport and working in the sport, even more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.”

The transition of the Royal Military Golf Club Duntroon to an all John Deere fleet, provided by H&P, exemplifies the tangible benefits of uniformity in golf course maintenance equipment. With only 30% of Area of Responsibility (AOR) golf courses having a full-time technician on-site, the cost-effectiveness of proactive service from an H&P branch becomes evident. Stephen reflects on the time saving benefits. “This strategic approach not only economises time and resources but also allows the turf team to focus their efforts on enhancing the course rather than being bogged down by equipment maintenance.”

The integration of John Deere’s advanced technology, including standard JD modems and operations centres in all new machinery, facilitates real-time data transmission back to H&P branches. This enables precise monitoring of machine status, from troubleshooting error codes to tracking hours and fuel usage, all customisable through the operations centre. H&P stands out as the only dealership offering TECsight, a unique service providing remote technical support anytime, ensuring that the golf course machinery operates with unparalleled efficiency and reliability. This seamless connection between the equipment and TECsight technicians allows for immediate response to any alerts, ensuring that Duntroon Golf Course, and others like it, benefit from continuous, optimal performance of their John Deere fleet. Hamish Ross, Integrated Solutions Manager sums it up perfectly. “The value that the golf industry places on data and technology is immense. There is nothing new here, however, the digital opportunities have sped up decision making. No longer are we looking through diaries and record books. From a physical technology perspective, GPS guidance and section control is ensuring fairways are mown to perfection and chemicals/fertilisers are applied most efficiently and the data is recorded accurately.”

Stephen couldn’t be more excited about OnLink “OnLink is a gamechanger for many course management teams giving you the ability to manage staff, labour, machinery all in one place. There is no other tool like it in the market. Never before have you been able to integrate fleet management. Plan proactive maintenance, order parts and inventory, something that as OnLink grows, H&P will be at the forefront of supporting. The fact H&P is the only dealership with TECsight gives H&P the ability to support OnLink in an unrivalled fashion in the dealer network.”

As the golf industry evolves, with changing participation patterns and a deepening base of players across diverse demographics, H&P is poised to meet these shifts with innovative solutions and a commitment to excellence. Foster envisions a future where H&P’s support for golf clubs, through comprehensive equipment offerings and expert advice, will continue to enhance the sport’s accessibility and sustainability. “Golf is changing, and H&P is here to support that evolution every step of the way,” Foster concludes, signalling a promising trajectory for H&P’s involvement in golf.