Introducing the Chesterfield Golf Club General Manager, who is a new addition to our Board of Directors.
As someone who has specialised in crisis communications and once cycled almost 1,000 miles across Britain, Sean Boyle is not afraid of a challenge.
Taking on a role on our Board of Directors is one that he is relishing as he seeks to help shape an industry that he has come to care about deeply since becoming General Manager at Chesterfield Golf Club seven years ago.
We caught up with Sean to discuss his recent appointment…
What does it mean to you to be appointed Director?
It’s a great honour to be appointed as a Director of the GCMA. I feel very fortunate to work in an industry which boasts so many talented and dedicated people – many of whom I have met through my own membership of the association. I’m grateful for their support in electing me and look forward to working on their behalf.
Can you tell us a little more about your career background?
I trod an unusual path towards becoming a golf club manager.
In the early part of my career, I spent 10 years working in newspaper journalism, followed by a similar period managing public relations and communications teams in political settings – with my own specialism in crisis communications.
The pathway provided a valuable skillset when I made the career change into golf club management at my home club, Chesterfield Golf Club, in 2018. This was especially so when the world was turned upside down by Covid shortly afterwards. My handle on crisis communications was a great help and I probably felt more comfortable than most dealing with the multitude of challenges during the pandemic.
I’ve always sought career avenues which provide both challenge and reward. There can be few roles which do that in the same way as being a golf club general manager, as I’m sure my fellow managers will testify
The challenges are varied and often left-field but the rewards are plentiful and I love every minute of my role at Chesterfield Golf Club, where I lead a great team of staff and work with supportive Directors for the benefit of our members.
What can GCMA members expect from you in the role of Director?
Members can expect someone who is committed and dedicated to supporting the continued improvement of the organisation for the benefit of its members.
The role of golf club manager has evolved significantly even during my relatively short time in the industry and continues to do so. It demands a far more professional, strategic thinking leader than has ever been the case.
I’ve seen the GCMA develop in parallel with this to provide a fresh, innovative and relevant offering to match – both in terms of career development and peer support.
I’m keen to help the organisation continue along this path because there is no doubt there is huge benefit to being a member.
What are you most looking forward to?
Firstly, I’m looking forward to learning. I realise I’m the new kid on the block and want to quickly get to know and understand the association, how it operates, its key objectives and what is being done to achieve them.
My fellow Directors and staff at headquarters will be key to this. There is great work already being delivered and I want to first understand that before, hopefully, adding value to the association going forward through the skills and experience which I bring.
How would you summarise the importance of the GCMA?
It’s hard to put a true value on the importance of the GCMA.
The benefits of its education programmes and shared resources are there for all to see, but it’s the intangibles which are impossible to measure.
We often hear the word ‘lonely’ when people talk about the role of a General Manager and this is understandable, but I’m not sure it quite conveys what is intended – nor is there a word or phrase which does. What is correct is that the only people who can truly understand the role are those who are living and breathing it.
This is where I think the greatest value of the association lies – the peer support and shared knowledge of fellow members. Be that on education courses, at regional meetings, or through the friendships which develop, the benefit is huge.
Tell us something that your fellow GCMA members don’t know about you…
I like a challenge! In 2018 I completed Ride Across Britain – a 982-mile bike ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats in nine days, taking in several of the UK’s top 100 climbs. I’d only been cycling for just over a year.
Despite suffering an achilles injury two days before the end of the ride I had to complete it as I was carrying a ring to propose to my partner, Claire, at the finish line.
Thankfully she said yes. We’re now happily married with a three-year-old daughter, Amelie.
Although, perhaps Claire should have taken it as a sign…I’m always moaning and groaning about various old sports injuries!
