The Golf Club Management Partnership, which comprises the PGA, GCMA and BIGGA, is working towards identifying the different types and levels of management qualifications that currently exist.
Among the aims of the partnership is to develop a framework that will help managers and golf clubs progress their skills and identify any gaps in the current provision.
Dr Kyle Phillpots, PGA Director of Education and Career Development, who chaired a recent meeting at the PGA’s Belfry headquarters, believes creating a framework will be welcomed by the golf industry.
“The aim of all three parties is to work together to maximise the value and effectiveness of golf club management through shared learning, professional development and the promotion of best practice,” he said.
“We will also consult with employers and deployers of GCMP members to ensure that we meet the needs of the golf industry. Discussions on the qualifications are not finalised but they reflect the partnership’s commitment to a coordinated approach to the management of golf facilities.”
Andrew Mellon, Chairman of BIGGA, added, “The group is exploring positive ways of collaborating which will ensure that resources are used in the best possible way, thereby minimising duplication, sharing good practice, ensuring consistency and enabling knowledge transfer.
“The Partnership provides each Association with a better understanding of the role their respective members play, and by gaining a mutual respect for each, can encourage and demonstrate the benefits of closer team working within our workplaces. We all play an important part in achieving the successful operation of our golf facilities.”
Keith Lloyd, GCMA Chief Executive, said: “The GCMA has been providing a pathway to education for its members for over 20 years now and today runs a structured programme of comprehensive introductory courses to golf club management, a university based certificate course, plus regional training opportunities and a biennial national conference event featuring world class international speakers.
“In addition, it has built up an electronic library of 600 plus advisory documents in this same period, which acts as a valuable ‘bank’ of information to both GCMA members and the clubs they manage.
“There is no doubt, that the coupling of the expertise and experience of GCMA members along with the modern day PGA Professional and BIGGA Course Manager via their respective Associations will benefit golf clubs as a whole.”
The GCMP was formally signed at Turnberry in 2009 with the aim of helping UK golf clubs to operate more effectively and efficiently by fostering closer ties between PGA Professionals, Course Managers/Head Greenkeepers and Club Managers and Secretaries.
The three bodies represent more than 16,000 members employed in the golf industry.
About The PGA
The PGA was formed in 1901 and is the world’s oldest professional golfers’ association. Based at Centenary House at the famous Belfry, the PGA now has more than 7,500 members including more than 1,500 working overseas in more than 60 different countries.
The PGA is one of golf’s leading bodies and committed to growing and developing the game nationally and internationally through its academies and the expertise of its professionals.
In addition the Association also administers more than 900 tournaments annually and enjoys strong ties with the Ryder Cup as both a partner and trustee of the Ryder Cup trophy. For the latest PGA news visit www.PGA.info
About GCMA
Golf Club Managers’ Association represents approximately 2,500 Golf Secretaries (managers) and their Clubs through a network incorporating a National Head Office in Weston-super-Mare and 17 Regional secretaries spread throughout the UK.
The GMCA is fully committed to supporting club secretaries, managers and owners of private and proprietary clubs. http://www.gcma.org.uk/
About BIGGA
The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) is the body which looks after the interests of sports turf managers and endeavours to enhance the profile of those working in the industry through learning and development.
BIGGA also hosts the annual Harrogate Week during the third week in January each year which attracts people from within the industry from all over the world through BTME the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition and the Continue to Learn programme of Workshops and Seminars.
BIGGA currently has around 6,000 members and has a headquarters, BIGGA HOUSE, at Aldwark, near York. http://www.bigga.org.uk/