Heather Mulley – General Manager of Enville Golf Club in Staffordshire – (pictured above) has been named the GCMA 2019 Manager of the Year. Llanishen GC and Kerry Alligan-Smith also pick up awards. The most prestigious awards in golf club management took place at the GCMA Conference at De Vere Cotswold Water Park in South Cerney on Monday night (11 November).
Heather, described by her nominee as an “outstanding manager with a unique style”, received her award from Jamie Abbott – MD of intelligentgolf. The judging panel was particularly impressed with Heather’s work to develop women and girls participation, her leadership in the club’s hosting of the R&A Girls Amateur Championship, and her tactful leadership in difficult situations.
Bob Williams, GCMA CEO, said “The GCMA Golf Club Management Awards reward the exceptional performers in our industry. Manager of the Year is the ultimate acknowledgement of excellence, and Heather is a truly worthy winner. As ever, the judging process was incredibly tough, and credit to all the finalists. However, it’s clear that Heather is an extraordinary manager who is clearly held in high regard at Enville, and fully deserves this accolade.”
The Team of the Year prize, sponsored by Biral and presented by Hugo Aniksztejn, stayed in Wales, following Llanishen GC’s triumph. Led by general manager Martin Stevens, head greenkeeper Mark Wilshire and head professional Adrian Jones have grown green fee income grow by 46%, playing membership is now full, and bar and catering are booming with income increased by nearly 30%.
The first award of the evening, Newcomer of the Year, was presented by Henry Irwin of Fortress Wealth Partnership to Kerry Alligan-Smith, from Redditch Golf Club. Having run Redditch for 2 years, the panel were impressed by Kerry’s unique set of talents and transferrable skills, as well as her dedication to the role. The proactive ideas she brings to increase membership, her engagement with the local community, and the club’s clever use of social media have all attracted new members and renewed Redditch’s popularity.
Stanedge’s Fame Tate – the other finalist in the Newcomer category – also received a special commendation award, such was the difficulty in separating the two nominees.
GCMA Golf Club Management Awards Winners:
Manager of the Year sponsored by intelligentgolf
Heather Mulley | Enville
Team of the Year sponsored by Biral
Llanishen Golf Club Martin Stevens, Mark Wilshire, Adrian Jones
Newcomer of the Year sponsored by Fortress Wealth Partnership
Kerry Alligan-Smith | Redditch GC
The nominees for all the categories were:
Manager of the Year sponsored by intelligentgolf
Stephen Nicholson Haydock Park
Heather Mulley Enville
Karl Adams Radcliffe on Trent
Adam Grint Gerrards Cross
Newcomer of the Year sponsored by Fortress Wealth Partnership
First golf club management job, and in post for less than two years.
Kerry Alligan-Smith Redditch
Fame Tate Stanedge
Team of the Year sponsored by Biral
This is for the Club manager and at least two from course manager, club professional, bar steward or food and beverage manager.
Chigwell Golf Club led by Ben Driver
Llanishen Golf Club led by Martin Stevens