The following statement has been issued by Bob Williams,Chief Executive of the Golf Club Managers’ Association. GCMA members were informed by email yesterday (26th February)
“I would like to take this opportunity to announce that I have taken the decision to stand down as the Chief Executive of the Association (GCMA) and will leave my post in the summer this year.
“ I have held the post since January 2013 following twenty years of managing both proprietary and private members golf clubs in the UK. Whilst I have been thoroughly committed to developing the association over the last seven years and thoroughly enjoyed the challenges of the steering the GCMA in the right direction, there has obviously been a number of challenges that have had to be dealt with in this ever changing world of golf club management.
“The decision to combine with the PGA and BIGGA to create the Diploma in Golf Club Management as well as launching The Golf Club Manager magazine after retrieving the Association’s image rights back were just two of the projects that were not on the agenda when I took on the role. Plus I didn’t think that I would be introducing the Young Managers Group and the Women’s Golf Leadership Group which were just two of the progressive initiatives that we launched.
“Looking to the immediate future we will shortly be introducing the GCMA Wellbeing helpline, which will complement the daily Members Helpline, and is being provided for those members who will seek assistance whilst enduring stressful times in the workplace.
“Having taken the decision to stand down and in need of a short break I will be considering my options in the latter part of this year before looking to continue to work within the industry, but would like to take this opportunity to thank the GCMA members for your support over the last seven years. I wish you all well for the future.”
The GCMA Chairman Phil Grice commented: “Bob has led the Association for over seven years and throughout his tenure he has shown great integrity and dedication. His ability to observe, capture and represent the views of the widest spectrum of our membership both internally and externally has elevated the standing and profile of the GCMA within our industry. He has overseen a large period of change and development which has put the Association on a sound platform for growth. On behalf of the Association I sincerely wish him good health and all the best for the future.”