Golf club manager Peter Johns has used his newly-gained higher education skills to help win a prestigious Golf Club Managers Association award and graduated with a Certificate in Golf Club Management from Bucks New University on Tuesday 6 September.
Following a career in civil engineering and the financial services, Peter, 55, from Cringleford near Norwich, decided to combine his management experience with his lifelong passion for golf and took on the role of Golf Club Manager at Eaton Golf Club in Norwich.
Throughout his working life, Peter has always sought to expand his knowledge via education in order to enhance his performance and overall success at work. His role as Golf Club Manager was no exception, and, having never before attended a university, Peter chose to embark upon the twelve month Certificate in Golf Club Management at Bucks to maximise what he could offer to the club.
“The course at Bucks New Universitywas very practical and highly relevant. There was a lot of contact with industry, and I had access to industry experts in the fields of club management, law, health and safety, and equality in the workplace, amongst others. What’s more, much of the course material was work-based so I was immediately able to transfer the skills I learnt to my role at Eaton Golf Club”, said Peter.
“The golf industry is a rapidly-changing environment, and there are many challenges for golf club managers nowadays to manage the balance between existing members and those players who prefer to have a more flexible involvement due to the demands of their daily lives.
“For me, one of the biggest benefits was learning how to write academic papers for the first time. At the age of 54 this was a very big step, and I’ve found the knowledge extremely useful in my day-to-day role of managing the club and all of the administration this involves.”
Such was the positive impact of the course that it helped Peter to be nominated for and gain the prestigious accolade of Golf Club Manager of the Year for 2010, which he was awarded by the Golf Club Managers Association (GCMA) in April.
Peter concludes: “I was honoured to receive the GCMA award, which was in part due to the knowledge learnt and applied from the course. I would thoroughly recommend the Certificate in Golf Club Management as a sound base for anyone either about to embark on a career in golf management or already in post as a golf manager.”
Peter received his certificate in the presence of family and friends alongside 1,550 Bucks New University students and honorary graduates at the University’s graduation ceremonies being held at the Wycombe Swan theatre from 5-9 September 2011.
Golf Club Managers Association www.gcma.org.uk