FORE Business - Growing the Game Whilst Networking

Are you a small business owner/entrepreneur and like your golf? FORE Business may be for you...

FORE Business

The idea behind FORE Business is that entrepreneurs and owners of small businesses can meet through a shared interest in golf and then potentially work with each other

FORE Business - Growing the Game Whilst Networking

Some 1,500 golfers are hitting the course every month thanks to a new business networking group that is drawing lapsed players back to the game.

FORE Business now has 80 groups across the UK, who each meet up once a month at courses including the Forest of Arden, The Hertfordshire, Dalmahoy, Fairmont St Andrews and Slaley Hall.

The idea behind the group is that entrepreneurs and owners of small businesses can meet through a shared interest in golf and then potentially work with each other – and it’s working, with more than £14million of business deals done as a direct result of the network.

Related: UK & Ireland Top 100 Courses 2015/16

Members can contact other members throughout the UK (and visit other groups to play), and advertise their services through the group’s app.

FORE Business was founded by Arron Busst and Sean Fergusson, both entrepreneurs in their own right, who met at a conventional networking group and found themselves talking about their shared interest in golf.

FORE Business co-founders Sean Fergusson (left) and Arron Busst (right) with members Barry Davies and David Harries, who shook hands on a business deal on the golf course.

FORE Business co-founders Sean Fergusson (left) and Arron Busst (right) with members Barry Davies and David Harries, who shook hands on a business deal on the golf course.

“The fairway is the perfect playing field for important business meetings, discussions and negotiations to take place,” said Sean.

“FORE Business was born with the thought, ‘what better way to encourage successful business relationships, than to create an actual members club for business owners who enjoy golf and love to network?’”

Among its members are golfers who haven’t played for more than 20 years but saw the business benefits, so dusted down the clubs – in that sense it is also growing the game.

And the network itself is expanding rapidly (no surprise as golf this way can legitimately be written off against tax!), which is only good news for the golf clubs who host the groups.

Members also get a free fourball every month, so the increase in footfall at clubs – at otherwise quiet times in the week – can only be a good thing.

www.fore-business.com

Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!

Elliott is currently playing:

Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV