The Club Managers Association of Europe (CMAE) appointed a new President at its Spring Conference at Wentworth on Monday 30th April. John Hunt, Secretary of The Berkshire Golf Club, Ascot, England takes over from John McCormack of Castle Golf Club, Dublin, in the two-year role.
Lt Col Hunt, affectionately known as ‘The Colonel’ by CMAE members, admitted his rank and previous career as an officer in the English Army might suggest he was an old-style club manager but that he was “ahead of the game” thanks to education and networking made possible by CMAE membership.
“I came into club management 15 years ago after a 25-year career in the Army,” said Lt Col Hunt, who joined The Berkshire from Temple Golf Club 11 years ago. “I suppose I would be classed as what Peter Alliss calls ‘Colonel Blimp’ in his writing, which I’ve always found amusing.
“While Army officers are given a broad training in many of the skills you need as a club manager – including people skills, accounts, food and beverage – I recognised early on that there were holes in my experience and that I needed professional training. That’s why I became involved with the CMAE and believe education in club management is so important. Now, I attend as many conferences, lectures and networking events as I can, and always pick up tips and ideas to implement at our club, as I have done here at the Spring Conference.”
More than 60 club managers from across Europe, including representatives from Italy, Spain, Sweden, Portugal and Ireland, as well as from around the United Kingdom, attended the two-day event at Surrey’s Wentworth Club. Among the topics discussed was the impact of the economic crisis and solutions club managers could implement, with input from partners Premium Credit, Jonas Software, E-Z-GO and Colt Mackenzie McNair.
Members were also given an exclusive first glimpse of the new-look CMAE website, with new resources and information for visitors and for CMAE Members: www.cmaeurope.org
CMAE chief executive officer, Jerry Kilby, said, “In context of the economic difficulties, this was an excellent conference that provided club managers with useful, practical solutions to generating revenues and maintaining membership.
“Members also expressed their gratitude to John McCormack who has been an outstanding President for the past two years and welcomed John Hunt, who brings valuable experience, professionalism and an infectious passion for education that will help drive the CMAE’s Certified Club Manager qualification.”
The AGM also saw the election of a number of new Board members, so the new 13 man CMAE Board of Directors comprises managers from five different countries across Europe:
John Hunt, The Berkshire Golf Club, England
John McCormack, Castle Golf Club, Dublin, Ireland
Alan Threadgold, Bray Golf Club, Co. Wicklow, Ireland
Jim Callaghan, Bothwell Castle Golf Club, Glasgow, Scotland
Jorgen Kjellgren, Rya Golf Club, Helsingborg, Sweden
Kevin Fish, Edinburgh Leisure, Edinburgh, Scotland
Austen Gravestock, Sunningdale Golf Club, Sunningdale, England
Jorge Papa, Morgado do Reguengo Golfe, Portimao, Portugal
Michael Walsh, Killiney Golf Club, Co Dublin, Ireland
Paul Varney, President, CMAE English Region
David Roy, President, CMAE Scottish Region
Declan Monaghan, President, CMAE Irish Region
Nigel Cartwright, Chair, CMAE Education Policy Board
CMAE www.cmaeurope.org