A great FAM trip shows you incredible courses; a remarkable one changes how you talk about a region. Thanks to Golf Tourism England, South West England stands out not just for its iconic layouts, but for the rich history and warm heritage that elevate every round.

The GTE Convention was a fantastic event, as it gave Saunton Golf Club the opportunity to showcase our stunning, World Top 100 36-hole championship links venue to some of the top tour operators from the UK, Europe and the USA. The anticipated benefit of this will be an increased awareness of what Saunton has to offer to golfers from all around the globe, with more visitors coming to enjoy an unforgettable trip to Saunton and the South West region of England.

The convention gave us the chance to showcase our property and Saunton Golf Club directly to the golf industry, and to build the trust that comes with genuine working relationships with the industry’s top operators. Working with Andrew and the team at Golf Tourism England has been a real privilege, and we’re excited to welcome people to explore golf in the South West and experience true West Country hospitality.

It was a pleasure representing Visit Devon at the 2026 Golf Tourism England Convention at Saunton Sands Hotel. The event was a great opportunity to showcase the exceptional golf offering across Devon and the wider South West, and to strengthen relationships with UK and international golf travel professionals as we continue to grow this important sector for our region.

Over the last four years Goswick Golf Club has increased its visitor revenue by 120%. There have been many factors which have contributed to this growth, but one of those has been the work we have done with Golf Tourism England.

Although we are a championship course and an Open Qualifying venue, we have lacked exposure to the golfing world due mainly to our remote location in the North East of England.

By working with Andrew Cooke from GTE, we developed a tour operator programme whereby we brought tour operators from the UK, Europe and the USA to Goswick to experience our offering. I am pleased to say that, for minimal financial outlay, this exposure has dramatically increased our tour operator business, contributing to our overall visitor revenue growth.

I would recommend any golf club that needs to increase its visitor revenue in a cost-effective way to talk to GTE about how they can contribute.

Golf trips to England used to be so difficult to coordinate we almost gave up. Then I met Andrew Cooke at the PGA Show in Orlando several years ago; he was on a mission to promote golf travel to England.

Since then I’ve taken FAM trips with Andrew and GTE to the heathlands and links courses of Surrey and Kent that quickly resulted in group business from our American clients. During this time, operations on the ground have greatly improved.

Last month I returned from a group FAM trip with Andrew to South West England, playing the wonderful links courses of Devon and Cornwall, also enjoying world-class cuisine and hospitality.

Talk about a hidden gem! Welcome to the latest must-play golf region in England – it is spectacular.

Golf Tourism England (GTE) is the driving force behind showcasing England as a premier golf destination. With a deep knowledge of the game and an unwavering commitment to excellence, they act as the true custodians of English golf—connecting international travellers with world-class courses, hidden regional gems and unforgettable experiences. Whether organising tailored golf trips or coordinating impactful FAM tours, GTE and Andrew Cooke bring passion, expertise and leadership to promoting England and its incredible links, heathland and parkland golf courses.

Our sponsorship of GTE has always been about more than just visibility — it’s about the relationships we’ve been able to build with the UK’s golf travel community, and the value that comes with them.