About

Jeff Blunden, the Managing Director of GBAS, managed the Golf Advisory Business Unit for Ernst & Young from 2001 to mid-2006, before spending some time in roles with both Golf Australia and an international management company prior to formally creating his own advisory services company in late 2008. Jeff has worked with over 170 clients over his advisory career including golf clubs, resorts, councils, administration bodies, private owners, developers, banks, and legal firms. Invaluable assistance and insight has been provided in many areas of the golf industry, including club and facility operations, new developments, project and membership structuring, hospitality services, strategic planning and market and consumer research. Jeff is also the author of many of the major industry reports that have been published in recent years evidence of the level of industry insight held by the company. The beneficiary of this knowledge are the clients of GBAS.

David Burton is the former General Manager of the New South Wales Golf Club, a role he held from 1996 to 2020. He is also a Past President of Golf Management Australia, past Director on the Board of the Australian Golf Industry Council, and a past Director on the Board of the Golf Management Australia (NSW Division). David holds an undergraduate degree in business, a Chartered Accountancy designation as well as a post-graduate Diploma in Professional Golf Management. ​With a storied tenure at NSWGC, David’s experience is extensive, having been involved in the development of several strategic plans, multiple building developments including clubhouse and golf shop, works depot, and state of the art practice and teaching facilities and overseen the development of a new club constitution. David has also visited over 70 of the world’s greatest golf clubs and has been a Panellist for the 'Platinum Clubs of the World.' With this depth of experience, David is a source of valuable insight and guidance to GBAS clients.

As Business Analyst at GBAS, Nick brings with him a wealth of experience from a variety of roles in the golf industry. Prior to a move out of the club industry, Nick was employed for seven years at Bonnie Doon Golf Club in Sydney, four and a half years as General Manager. Following his time at Bonnie Doon, he took a year off to complete an M.B.A. in 2012 at the University of Technology Sydney before relocating to Hong Kong for a stint with IMG International. In Asia, he was able to utilise his mandarin skills while consulting to a number of golf clients in China. Nick returned to Australia in late 2014 to take up the role at GBAS. Nick has a unique set of skills and experiences primarily covering finance & accounting, strategic planning, golf operations, golf retail and member/customer research. Whilst working at GBAS Nick is simultaneously undertaking a Master of Environment at the University of Melbourne.