One of golf’s oldest organisations has announced that it is to change its name after 74 years to reflect the evolving role of golf club secretaries.
Following 18 months of consultation, the Association of Golf Club Secretaries will become the ‘Golf Club Managers’ Association’ to acknowledge the significant changes to the duties and responsibilities its members have needed to incorporate into its everyday management.
National Secretary, Keith Lloyd, says that responsibilities and changes in legislation over the past five to ten years has directed more focus onto the need for good management and control measures, and as an internationally recognised organisation it needed to embrace these changes and create an Association that continues to set standards.
“The role of the golf club secretary has changed dramatically over the past 20 years and this coupled with the demands from members and customers for better standards and value-for-money, has resulted in clubs realising they need to have a competent person with managerial skills at the helm,” he said.
To facilitate the change process, a special sub-committee, drawn from the national committee, was set up to liaise with regional representatives to ensure the majority of members were aware of the proposed change and understood the reasoning behind it.
“We have over 2,500 members and, inevitably, many of the traditional clubs will continue to employ a secretary in preference to a manager, director of golf or chief executive, and it is not our intention to dictate any such changes.
“What is important for the Association is to ensure that, as a leading body in the game we are representative of private members’ clubs and the proprietary club sector and keep our members fully up-to-date with any developments.
“We believe the new name appropriately reflects our position for the present day and into the future,” added Keith.
The GCMA represents approximately 65 per cent of clubs in the UK and provides training and national programmes for existing and potential new members. Its national conference will be held at The Belfry on 5th – 7th November 2007.
Membership is open to secretaries, managers, and golf club owners across the UK and Europe and is supported by a regional structure. Further details can be obtained from the GCMA Head Office on: 01934 641166, email: HQ@gcma.org.uk or by visiting its website on: www.gcma.org.uk