The Scottish Golf Union and the Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association, the national governing bodies for amateur golfers, have blazed a trail for the rest of Europe to follow after successfully staging Scottish Golf Club Management Training Level One – the first comprehensive course of its kind.
The recently-held training week at Stirling Business Centre, hosted by the SGU and the SLGA, proved an enormous success, as delegates gathered from acrossScotlandto recognise the importance of serving their club and club members with the most up-to-date education in the industry.
The course curriculum within the Management Development Programme was developed by education partner, the Club Managers Association of Europe (CMAE), and approved by the world leaders in the field, the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA). These educational bodies placed faith in Scotland to roll out the first-ever approved programme of training courses in Europe, commencing with this Level One course which comfortably exceeded their desired goals.
Such was the demand and positive feedback following the Level One course, a repeat course has been scheduled for March next year. Costs are subsidised by the SGU and the SLGA, with further financial support available through the Scottish Government.
“A combination of delegate feedback and CMAA approval has deemed the course to be a great success inScotlandand now permits other European countries to approach the CMAE to request that the programme be delivered in their country,” said Scottish Golf Club Development Officer Kevin Fish, CCM.
Club Managers, in these very challenging economic times, are under greater pressure than ever from their own committees, owners and members to create and implement business strategies that guarantee the continued success of their clubs. The week-long training course – focusing on core competencies areas such as club governance, accounting and financial management, strategy and leadership, golf (and sports) operations, facilities management and membership and marketing – hugely benefited the individuals assembled in helping to achieve the stated aim for their clubs.
In covering the total of 10 competencies, there were a range of 14 professional speakers over the five days – including five from golfing bodies – who delivered their specialist knowledge of the club industry. “So many golfing bodies coming together is rare, particularly when it comes to offering education to each others’ members,” added Fish.
This first training course, targeted in particular at those managers who are either new to post, recently appointed or simply wanting to enhance their knowledge to better serve their club committees, was part of the new official Management Development Programme, forming part of the pathway to the internationally recognized qualification, the CCM (Certified Club Manager).
Delighted delegates were united in their support of the management training. “I learned more about what my job should be in five days than I learned in the previous five years,” said Tom Cummings, Secretary, Kirkintilloch GC. Anne Burnside, Managing Secretary, Cowglen GC, added: “As someone relatively new to golf club management, this course came at the right time for me. I’ve received so much useful information and developed an informal peer support network that I’m sure will be invaluable to me in the coming years.”
The SGU and the SLGA, grateful to the support of several long-term partners, including DLA Piper, XactAdvice, The R&A, PGA, BIGGA, GCMA and CMAE in delivering the course, are looking forward to further success with the Management Training courses in the near future.
Fish said: “Together, we will continue to strive to provide world-class facilities for our customers. Club Secretaries/Managers invariably come into the industry with strong skill-sets and the comprehensive training programme can now supplement those.
“Andy Salmon, Scottish Golf Development Manager, had the vision to bring the various golfing bodies together three years ago to co-ordinate a full calendar of educational opportunities for our respective members in this country. The SGU and the SLGA then had the vision to resource the programme as it clearly supports our stated strategy of supporting world-class facilities in this country through better education.
“After our success at Stirling, there was an overwhelming call from the delegates to attend the Level Two programme, where almost every delegate intends to obtain the support of their club to continue their learning journey, and sit the optional examination at the end of the Level Two course.”
For further information on Scottish Golf Club Management Training, next taking place at Stirling Business Centre from 12-16 March, 2012, please contact Kevin Fish at the SGU on 01334 466 477.
Scottish Golf Union www.scottishgolf.org