Congratulations to our newly Accredited Managers

The GCMA Accreditation programme, launched in 2022, ensures that excellence in golf club management is measured and recognised by the industry.


We are proud to announce the latest cohort of newly Accredited Managers, with nine names added to the growing list of those to have achieved Accredited status.

Since the launch of GCMA Accreditation in September 2022, association staff have been assessing applications from members eager to receive formal recognition of their abilities as Golf Club Managers.

The level of interest has underlined the huge appetite for professional and personal development among the hardworking and ambitious staff who populate this industry.

The GCMA would like to offer the warmest congratulations to the following newly Accredited Managers:

NameClubAccreditation
Level
Richard BeechNewcastle-under-Lyme 3
Reece MillerLong Ashton3
Martin YeatesThe Dyke3
Claire DockerRobin Hood1
Emma DrakeKirbymoorside1
Kevin HardwillYeovil1
Eddie KearShirehampton ParkA
George ReidWyke GreenA
Mark SapsfordWoolston ManorA

“GCMA Accreditation is a key strand of our association’s strategy and the central piece of our Professional Development service to members,” said CEO Tom Brooke. “It’s fantastic to be able to formally recognise the depth of knowledge, talent and achievements from within our membership and we look forward to expanding this offering in the near future with the launch of the Advanced Management Programme.”

What is GCMA Accreditation? 

GCMA Accreditation is a flexible, inclusive, and rewarding Accreditation pathway designed to represent you and your value to the industry – focusing on your skills, your achievements and your development. 

  • It is accessible – open to any full member of the GCMA who is in an active role within golf club management.
  • It is inclusive – designed to value and recognise the wide range of backgrounds, skills, knowledge, experience, learning and qualifications that contribute towards being a successful golf club manager 
  • It is flexible – not limited to any one set pathway or series of qualifications. Recognition is given to a balance of experience, skills and knowledge, qualifications and CPD 
  • It is aspirational – providing a clear and achievable pathway for developing your skills, knowledge and career opportunities

And it is based on existing best practice and comparable industry standards in CPD, career pathway and accreditation frameworks. 

Why should I become GCMA Accredited? 

  • When applying for a job, it will differentiate you from other candidates 
  • It demonstrates that you keep your knowledge and skills up to date through continuous learning and development 
  • It demonstrates eagerness to learn which indicates future potential 
  • It will help to boost career progression and salary prospects 
  • It provides recognition of your skills, knowledge and achievements by your peers and the golf industry 

How does GCMA Accreditation work? 

GCMA Accreditation recognises your experience, skills, knowledge and achievements as well as your learning and qualifications and ongoing commitment to your own personal and professional development. 

Your application will need to include: 

  • Career history and summary of roles within the golf industry 
  • An up-to-date record of learning, development and qualifications  
  • Evidence of ongoing commitment to professional and personal development 
  • A summary of your knowledge, responsibilities and achievements in golf club management   

What are the GCMA Accreditation Levels? 

GCMA Aspiring Manager 

Suitable for anyone employed in a Management position within a Golf Club (Department Head, Deputy Manager or a new GC Manager) with aspirations for career progression and professional development 

GCMA Accredited Manager (Level 1) 

Suitable for anyone employed in a position of GC Management at a small to medium sized club, able to demonstrate the effective management of a Golf Club and normally with a minimum of three years’ experience within the industry 

GCMA Accredited Manager (Level 2) 

A highly proficient and knowledgeable Golf Club Manager, at a medium to larger sized club, normally with a minimum of five years’ experience within the industry 

GCMA Accredited Manager (Level 3) 

Recognised as a highly experienced and accomplished Golf Club Manager demonstrating continued success at medium or larger sized clubs, normally with a minimum of 10 years’ experience within the industry 

Coming soon: GCMA Advanced Management Programme

Available to GCMA Level 3 Accredited Managers able to demonstrate outstanding leadership and contribution to the golf industry and within the association. Find out more


Click here to start your GCMA Accreditation journey now

By GCMA Content Team

More from Your Community

Close

Allister Frost


A former Microsoft Digital Strategy leader who now inspires audiences to discover the life-enhancing benefits of having a Future Ready Mindset. As a tech pioneer, Allister gained unique insights into how to transform uncertainty into opportunity, and now loves giving others the positive mindset and simple habits needed to:

  • Stay resilient in the face of uncertainty and change
  • Spot quick win opportunities for improvement
  • And *create* a brilliant future!

 

With AI and robots coming for our jobs (hint from Allister: they won’t, if we know how…), many people are anxious about the future. But Allister asserts that we’ve nothing to fear when we leverage our human superpowers and ingenuity to thrive alongside emerging technologies. That’s why having a Future Ready Mindset is now a must-have skill to remain competitive and relevant to the people we serve, our golf club members and the local community. And the best bit: everyone can do it!

This will close in 0 seconds

John Steele


John Steele is a former professional athlete, sports coach, Olympic Leader and is the Executive Director of Sport at Loughborough University. He has been Chief Executive across a range of sectors. Drawing on leadership experience of nine different Olympic and Paralympic Games (including the amazing events at the Rio Games), John reflects on the lessons from this unique period in British sport and relays his fascinating views on creating high performing teams.

Indeed, inspired from PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, by the most successful performance ever for Team GB, he has a whole host of new business and leadership insights into how this was brilliant performance was achieved and how it can translate back into your organisation.

John moved into the corporate world, before he enjoyed an outstanding career as a professional rugby player achieving international honours. After his playing career, he turned his hand to coaching and achieved the highest accolade for a British club coach by winning the European Cup with Northampton Saints. He then became Executive Director on the Saints Board during a period of unprecedented growth, and served on the England Rugby Board during the successful world cup campaign of 2003. It was no surprise that John’s talents were called upon to drive through a change and modernisation programme as CEO of the Rugby Football Union – a challenge that became controversial and ended in his departure from the post after only a year, but with his dignity and professional pride intact.

Headhunted by UK Sport, John took up post as CEO the day before London won the 2012 Olympic bid – and this promising start was sustained as he embarked on developing the UK’s high performance sport system, which he led for a six-year period of unprecedented success through the Beijing and London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Post-London 2012, with the Olympic legacy in place and an obligation to continue inspiring a generation, John took up his post as Group Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust. He has also succeeded Steve Cram as Chairman of the English Institute of Sport, an organisation described as ‘the team behind the team’, which delivers a range of performance impacting solutions to over 40 Olympic and Paralympic sports and some non-Olympic sports.

This will close in 0 seconds

Dr Jo Salter MBE


Dr Jo Salter MBE is famed for becoming the first female fast jet pilot, having flown the Panavia Tornado ground attack aircraft during her services in the Royal Air Force. Joining the RAF aged 18, Jo has since taken Air Cadets into the skies as part of Air Experience Flights, become the Director of Global Transformative Leadership for PWC, and most recently become a Global Advisory of GenAI for PwC.

Jo has piloted flights in the Air Cadets Air Experience Flights and inspired countless budding armed service members to pioneer a male-dominated sector, having been the leader of an all-male squadron. Since leaving the military behind, Jo has established a strong business career working in roles such as Head of Technical Services for NetConnect, European Operations Manager for Automated Power Exchange and Managing Director of Saltin Ltd.

Having developed first-class expertise in leadership, analytical thinking and performing under pressure, Jo is now a highly sought-after public speaker to share stories from her time in the skies.

Jo is a passionate Trustee of The Royal Air Force Club and an Ambassador of the Global Angels charity, an organisation that gives communities around the world access to clean water, education, healthcare and encourages female and youth empowerment. Jo has also authored two books, titled Energy: 52 Ways to Fire Up Your Life and Become an Energy Angel and Energize: Spring Clean Your Mind and Body to Get Your Bounce Back Today and Every Day.

In recognition of her achievements throughout her career, Jo has also been named as one of the 50 Most Inspiring Women in the World by Harpers & Queen. She is now working as the Director of Global Transformation Leadership at PWC, after working in other roles such as Director of Risk Technology Strategy, Director Chief of Staff to Head of Technology & Investments and the Director of People & Organisations.

In 2022, Jo was invited personally by Tom Cruise to attend the premiere of Top Gun: Maverick. Most recently, Jo received an honorary doctorate of Arts from Bournemouth University.

This will close in 0 seconds

Colin MacLachlan


Colin Maclachlan, star of Channel Four's captivating reality TV drama SAS: Who Dares Wins and Channel 5’s ‘Secrets of the SAS’, is an operator with over 25 years of security and risk related experience who is a popular and frequent fixture on the speaking circuit.

Colin Maclachlan, celebrated for his roles on Channel Four's SAS: Who Dares Wins and Channel 5’s Secrets of the SAS, brings over three decades of expertise in security and risk management. Colin's military career began in 1989, and after serving nine years with the Royal Scots, he joined the elite 22 SAS at just 23. His time in the SAS saw him participating in numerous high-stakes operations, including the notable rescue of hostages from the West Side Boys in Sierra Leone—a mission so perilous it was dubbed Operation Certain Death.

Colin was also pivotal during the longest hostage siege on UK soil, when a hijacked Afghan plane landed in London in 2000. The standoff lasted four days with Colin as the first sniper on the scene.

After leaving the SAS, Colin exchanged insights with international forces such as Delta Force and Seal Team 6 and provided security consultancy to the Saudi Royal Family and various celebrities. His academic pursuits led him to earn a First Class MA (Hons.) in History from Edinburgh University and an M.Litt in Terrorism from St. Andrews University.

Today, Colin extends his expertise through television, books, radio, and video games. He supports numerous charities and has founded Who Dares Cares, which assists veterans and those experiencing stress. As a speaker, Colin excels in discussing Resilience, Teamwork and Leadership.

This will close in 0 seconds