The Golf Club Managers Association hosted its annual conference and awards ceremony at the Leonardo Hotel and Conference Venue Hinckley Island in Leicestershire earlier this week, with over 350 delegates attending over the course of the three-day event.
Themed around the topic of ‘Team Culture’, the conference included no fewer than five keynote speakers who focused on different elements of team building and leadership, while these were interspersed by dozens of smaller seminars and break-out sessions, some of which were led by GCMA members, who shared their experiences and covered a wide variety of topics from health and safety to cyber security, youth development, sustainability and water management, member retention, employee engagement, and inter-departmental communications.
There was also a trade exhibition where 30-plus key golf industry suppliers and representative bodies were able to demonstrate their goods and services and interact with existing clients and potential new customers.
Monday evening saw nearly 300 GCMA members and guests attend a gala dinner which included the presentation of GCMA’s annual awards, which this year included three new award categories to take the total up to six awards.
The GCMA 2023 award winners were as follows…
MANAGER OF THE YEAR (sponsored by Intelligent Golf)
Winner: Warren Ryan, General Manager, Newport Golf Club, Wales
On receiving his award, Warren, who joined Newport in March 2021, said: “It doesn’t feel quite real to be honest. I’m absolutely honoured to be in the same talent pool as we have on display across the UK. It’s a massive privilege. I’m thrilled. I don’t think it’s sunk in yet but I’m absolutely over the moon. You have the top-end clubs here and fantastic managers. We’re all here to better the industry so you have people doing fantastic things. To be considered by the judges and my peers that I’m in that same bracket is quite humbling.”
The other shortlisted candidates were Melanie Drake, General Manager, Kings Hill GC; Matthew Parsley, General Manager, Conwy GC; and Susan Turner, General Manager, Seacroft GC.
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR (sponsored by ClubNet Systems)
Winner: Luke Bearcroft, General Manager, Llanwern Golf Club, Wales
After receiving his award, Luke said: “It’s been an honour to even be nominated for this award, but to have won is a fantastic feeling. It’s been a memorable experience and I’ve really enjoyed looking back on my journey over the last 12 months. I find myself in such a fortunate position to be surrounded by an incredible network of individuals, especially my fellow Welsh managers who’ve been a great support to me. And finally, the GCMA, who offer an unwavering amount of support whenever we need it. Their devotion to education and the provision of different pathways to continue development has been invaluable. Equally, the business meetings and all of the partners of the GCMA has given us access to information or experts that we may not have had without the GCMA, so I’m really grateful for them for all the work they’ve done.”
The other short-listed candidate for this award was Hamish Mackay, General Manager at Weston-super-Mare GC, who said: It’s brilliant just to be nominated. I was able to tell some of the team about it and it was great just to see how happy they were, because it really is a team thing that we’ve achieved. To get to the stage I’ve got to now would be impossible without the team.”
SUPPORT MANAGER OF THE YEAR (sponsored by Obbi Golf)
Winner: Karri Chambers, formerly of Minchinhampton GC, Gloucestershire
Karri said: “The year has been crazy, it feels like about two months because time has just flown by. I’m not at the golf club anymore, but we had an amazing team and I met some amazing people. I’ve got a lot of friends that have followed me in my new career path and it’s been a really good experience where I learned a lot.”
TEAM OF THE YEAR (sponsored by Golf HR)
Winner: Walton Heath Golf Club, Surrey
Alex Woodward, Chief Executive of Walton Heath Golf Club, said: “It feels fantastic. To stand with this team, today and every day, it’s just terrific – they deserve every accolade that comes their way. We’ve been judged by our peers in a Conference year where the focus was team culture, which makes it even more special. The GCMA are the ever-supporting association who are there whenever we need help – the use of the library, the professional development, and the peer-to-peer learning is just first class.”
The other two shortlisted clubs for the team award were Lincoln Golf Club, led by General Manager Louis Booth and Redditch Golf Club, led by General Manager Kerry Alligan-Smith.
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION (sponsored by Players 1st)
Winner: JR JONES
This new award, which recognises a GCMA member’s remarkable dedication and contributions to the industry, colleagues, or the Association, was given to JR Jones, the longstanding President of the GCMA, in recognition of his dedication and commitment to the role he has held since 2007.
On receiving his award, Jones said: “It’s fantastic to receive an award for doing something you actually love, which is a bit odd, really. The honour of serving in itself is a reward, because you mix with people, and you see the results of your work. I do it because I enjoy it and continue to enjoy this industry. I have particularly enjoyed my various roles over the years with the GCMA and been privileged to do so. And, more importantly, it’s fun!”
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
WINNER: John Dinsdale
The new Lifetime Achievement award went to John Dinsdale, the general manager at Whitchurch Golf Club in Cardiff, who said: “I’ve met a lot of people I respect greatly. It’s been a delight. I just have to ask, ‘Why me for this award?’. I can’t believe it.”
To learn more about the GCMA, visit gcma.org.uk.