Our Business

Andrew 'Chubby' Chandler, Managing Director of ISM, outlines his unique management philosophy, drawn from his own experience as a European Tour professional and MD of ISM, which has helped make the company the success it is today.

Management Philosophy

For a player embarking on a career on the world’s fairways, it is a minefield. There are more mistakes to be made, not all of them on the golf course, than can possibly be imagined.

I had 15 years of it and believe me, I made all the mistakes - at least twice. I’d been known by some on the Tour as the man to go to for help with a cheap flight, a bargain hotel or even the best route to the next tournament. This experience certainly helped me in my decision to start a management company. Through making mistakes, I know the pitfalls to be wary of and it is now my job to help others to avoid them. By smoothing out the administrative, marketing and logistical difficulties for a player, he can concentrate 100% on his game without outside worries. It sounds simple, but I feel it is essential if he is to be successful.

Golf on tour is a job and it must be treated as a job. There is no way that, faced with the amount of travel that is involved nowadays and the amount of practice that is essential just to stay on the Tour, that a player who, almost by definition, is not a business administrator, marketer or salesman, can keep his affairs in order or promote himself. Worrying about a tax return, hotel room or flight ticket is not helpful when you should be concentrating on your game.

The quality of player in the International Sports Management stable and results they regularly achieve shows our philosophy is right for them. When I started the firm we were a small family with four players. We have grown but I don't want to lose the feeling of being a family. It is how the company has always been and still continues to work nicely.