Europe’s golf facility leaders unite in Madeira to shape the future of the game
Golf in Europe is booming. More players, more golf – green & screen, and a new generation stepping onto the fairways. But with that growth come fresh demands on the people who run golf facilities every single day.
From 10 to 12 November 2025, the GCAE Conference will bring Europe’s golf facility leaders together on the island of Madeira. It is the only European event dedicated to those who manage and operate golf facilities, working every day to keep the sport relevant, sustainable and profitable.
“Golf is growing, but so are the expectations placed on those who run golf facilities every day,” said Renate Roeleveld, CEO of the Golf Course Association Europe (GCAE). “At GCAE, our role is to listen to the people working in the field, to connect them, inspire them, and represent their interests. This conference is where honest conversations turn into practical solutions — so that every facility leaves with ideas they can use to strengthen their business and the game.”
Tackling real-life challenges
The GCAE Conference goes beyond glossy keynotes. It’s a working meeting for people with their feet on the turf. Highlights include:
- Discover who today’s golfers are and how facilities can keep them coming back.
- Hear neuroscientist Stephen Smith explain how golf venues influence emotions and memory.
- Learn how Troon is navigating generational shifts among golfers and staff.
- See how global trends affect sport and golf operations, with Prof. Bartel Berkhout.
- Understand golf’s economic impact through new research from Portugal.
- Join the R&A for insights on collaboration and the vision for Golf Course 2030.
This is just a glimpse. More speakers and sessions will be announced in the coming weeks.
A unique setting
The conference isn’t confined to conference rooms. Delegates will play golf on the spectacular Santo da Serra Golf Course, a venue that has hosted numerous PGA tournaments. And they will visit the stunning Ponta de Pargo Golf Course, the new Faldo Design project currently under construction on the island. So it is golf, strategy, and networking — all in one place.
About GCAE
The Golf Course Association Europe (GCAE) represents, connects, and advocates for golf facilities across the continent. It brings together owners, operators and national associations to share knowledge, elevate professional standards, and strengthen the business side of golf.
The GCAE Conference is Europe’s only event dedicated specifically to the operational reality of running golf facilities — from public 9-hole courses to multi-course resorts and innovative indoor venues.
Further details on speakers and sessions will be announced in the coming weeks.
For more information, visit www.gcaeconference.eu.
