Scot becomes second former greenkeeper in Europe to earn top club management accreditation
David Roy has become only the second former greenkeeper in Europe to attain the Club Manager Managers Association of Europe's (CMAE) Certified Club Manager (CCM) qualification.
The Managing Secretary of Crail Golfing Society has joined an elite band of individuals to attain this benchmark, seen as the definitive qualification for experienced managers who aim to develop their career and become the best in their business.
David was formerly a greenkeeper at Taymouth Castle, Royal Burgess and Linlithgow - where he took on a more administrative role, learning the ropes as he went along, before joining the historic Crail Golfing Society.
Utilising the many education opportunities available to him through the CMAE, David passed his final CCM assessment - a seven-hour examination - to join a fellow Scot, Andy Campbell, as the only former greenkeepers in Europe to secure the qualification.
Focussing on the CMAE's 10 core club management competencies, the exam goes into fine detail of each subject, from alcohol regulation to strategic club planning, and budgeting to media relations and in-house publications.
David joins 18 other CMAE members who have achieved the qualification.
Commenting on his achievement, David Roy said: "The fact that there is now two greenkeepers who have achieved the CCM is a clear indication of the quality of workforce that exists in golf today. This is obviously only the tip of the iceberg and I hope we can prove to be an inspiration for others to follow."
Jerry Kilby, CMAE Chief Executive Officer, said: "I congratulate David on his outstanding achievement, the significance of which will resonate with the club management community and no doubt encourage the 20 or 30 other former greenkeepers who are now club managers to follow in his footsteps.
"A great deal of knowledge is required to pass the CCM and it is a valuable and widely respected mark of a manager's commitment to their development in the club management industry. David is now one of just 19 CCMs in Europe and that highlights the extent of his achievement."
Founded 10 years ago with the support of the Club Managers' Association of America, the CMAE's principal qualification, the CCM is a quality assured recognition of professionalism in club management.
Crail Golfing Society, which was formed in 1786, is the seventh oldest golf club in the world and has two courses. Balcomie Links laid out in 1895 by Old Tom Morris and Craighead Links, designed by the 2009 winner of the Golf Course Architect of the Year award, Gil Hanse. It has a membership of 1,400 from all parts of the world.
For more information about the CCM, to download the registration form or to find out more about the CMAE, visit: www.cmaeurope.org