Mark Bates

Experience

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  Inglewood Golf & Curling Club

  Apr 2000 - Oct 2003

  Assistant Golf Professional
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  Heartland Golf Co

  Apr 2004 - Apr 2005

  Manager of International Programs
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  Turner Valley Golf Club

  Apr 2005 - Mar 2006

  Associate Golf Professional
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  Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club

  Mar 2006 - Nov 2006

  Senior Associate Professional
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  Heartland Golf Pte Ltd

  Nov 2006 - Mar 2016

  General Manager

  Developed and implemented all areas of the business plan from conception through pre-opening and full operation. Responsible for all areas of branding, marketing, business development and management for the golf academy. Constructed and conducted corporate golf programs across 7 countries across the region and created Singapore's largest and longest running men's golf league.In addition to overseeing the golf academy, managed the company's 4 Nike Golf retail outlets including 2 stand alone shops and 2 "shop-in-shop" locations in major department stores. Managed inventory, sales and integration of business between the retail and academy revenue streams. Show less

• 

  Laguna National Golf Resort Club

  Mar 2016 - now

  As Director of Golf - Business Development & Special Projects, my role is to drive profitability of current business units and enhance Laguna National's brand identity through implementation of best practices, leveraging key partnerships and exploration of new initiatives to expand our place in the golf ecosystem.-Special Projects: I oversee the procurement and implementation of major international professional golf tournaments such as Porsche Singapore Classic, Aramco Team Series Singapore and the Singapore Ladies' Masters. Hosting major events is not only important for our brand as a world-class golf facility, it is and important part of our mission to support development of golf in SE Asia - providing a stage for regional golfers to compete at the highest level. This is buoyed by our support and new initiatives with the Singapore PGA as well as partners in junior golf development as we provide a holistic ecosystem of opportunity and support at all levels of golf development.-Business Development/Commercial Golf: Expanding our commercial/corporate business through development of our international branding, inbound golf tourism product and corporate/VIP programs. Developing products to complement our new 5-star resort hotel, we are able to provide one of the top golf stay & play experiences in Asia.-Driving Range and Academy: Further enhancing the offerings and profitability of Laguna Practice and Leadbetter Golf Academy – taking these world-class offerings to new heights and building into the innovative business plan of our new practice facility.-Global Recognition: Strategic positioning of Laguna National’s brand to enhance the club’s first-in-class reputation on a global stage – driving pride in membership, value in experience and demand for entry to our club. With our continued efforts to improve and enhanced reputation, Laguna National is being recognized on a global stage by industry professionals and awarding bodies alike. Show less Led a team of over 40 employees across 4 departments: Golf Operations, Driving Range/Academy, Retail and Membership. -Golf Operations: Directed the team through renovations of both championship golf courses, as well as opening the new Clubhouse – establishing new operational flow and service standards. Revived club tournament participation and a robust tournament schedule for the development of youth golf. Introduced global best practices in golf cart fleet management as well as booking, club management and event management software. Expanded the Corporate Golf division by establishing golf tourism channels, e-commerce platforms and stay & play programs for our new resort hotel. Created the club’s elevated VIP Experience inclusive of VIP Changing Rooms, Caddie Service and VIP Golf Carts. -Driving Range & Academy: Project Management overseeing the construction of "Laguna Practice", the club's premium, state-of-the-art, 2-storey driving range - including the first Toptracer Range facility in Southeast Asia, Leadbetter Golf Academy, and Singapore's finest short game practice facility. -Retail: Conceptualized and implemented the retail branding plan for "The Shop" - one of the largest green grass shops in Asia. Developed a separate line of club “Icon” logo merchandise. -Membership: Developed of innovative Membership products to suit the demanding and dynamic Singapore golf market. Drove membership sales through development of membership communications, marketing materials, sales tours and final Membership Acceptance Interviews. -Global Recognition: Re-established Laguna National on the global professional tournament stage, securing a multi-year agreement for the DP World Tour’s Singapore Classic and hosting the Aramco Team Series (LET) and the Singapore Ladies’ Masters (China LPGA). Hosted major amateur golf championships such as the Queen Sirikit Cup, the Singapore National Amateur Championship and the Singapore Open Amateur Championship. Show less

  • Director of Golf - Business Development & Special Projects

    Jun 2023 - now

  • Director of Golf Operations

    Mar 2016 - Jun 2023