Golf greenkeepers set to benefit from agreement with CMAE
The Club Managers Association of Europe (CMAE) has signed an agreement with the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) that could enable course managers to develop their careers and become club managers.
The agreement, signed during BIGGA's annual exhibition and education event, Harrogate Week 2009, opens the door to BIGGA's 6,000 members developing their management skills through education with a view to taking the internationally recognised Certified Club Manager (CCM) qualification.
CMAE Chief Executive Officer, Jerry Kilby, said: "This is good news for qualified greenkeepers and Master Greenkeepers who have reached a point in their careers where they say, 'What next?'
"The opportunity to take CCM, which is a globally recognised qualification, means that the step up to general manager level is now a realistic possibility and career ambition for greenkeepers and course managers."
A small number of senior greenkeepers have blazed a trail and risen to prominent club manager positions, including David Roy, at Crail Golfing Society in Scotland, while others have already expressed their desire to move into club management, viewing CCM as an opportunity to prove their professionalism and qualify for top jobs.
To sit the CCM exam, greenkeepers must first attain a minimum number of CCM credits, for which membership of BIGGA plus previous professional education courses automatically counts.
John Pemberton, Chief Executive of BIGGA, said: "This is a significant new opportunity for management development and another building block for greenkeepers aspiring to senior management and club manager positions.
"In today's job market, just being a good course manager isn't enough. CCM is an opportunity for greenkeepers to demonstrate their skills and professionalism in management and we welcome the signing of this agreement with the CMAE."
The Certified Club Manager qualification is open to suitably experienced managers and involves a two-day review and examination focusing on key club management disciplines. There are approximately 10,000 clubs with professional managers in Europe, half of which are golf clubs, the remainder being sports, leisure, health and fitness clubs, plus city and dining clubs.
For more information about CCM, entry requirements and to download the registration form, visit: http://www.cmaeurope.org
Picture caption: (from left) John Hunt (CMAE President), Jerry Kilby (CMAE Chief Executive Officer), John Pemberton (BIGGA Chief Executive), Kenny McKay (BIGGA Chairman 2008).
The Club Managers Association of Europe (CMAE) is a non-profit making professional association with members involved in the management of sports clubs (golf, tennis, sailing, rowing, rugby, football, cricket), health & fitness clubs, leisure, city and dining clubs located throughout Europe.
The CMAE is also the pan-European 'umbrella' organisation for a variety of national professional associations for club managers and secretaries. National associations can affiliate to the CMAE, thereby giving their membership access to the CMAE education programme and other CMAE international activities and events.
CMAE is closely aligned with the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) and actively participates in the annual World Conference for club managers and other international events.