The Newport Golf Club boss hands out valuable advice and reveals his key management principles
Focus on education and work hard. These are the two principles Newport Golf Club’s Rhys Morgan tells every club manager they need to focus on.
After successful spells at Machynys Golf Club, Pennard and now Newport, Rhys has revealed the guiding concepts that have helped him achieve.
Particularly relevant to those starting out as a Club Manager, Rhys said: “First and foremost, focus on education. Put yourself out there, be prepared to learn, and get better every single day.
“I always remember a quote from my father: ‘Your mind is like a parachute — it works better when it’s open’. If you’re open-minded and prepared to learn, opportunities will come.
“The second key point is simple: work hard. You get out what you put in. If you invest in yourself and the clubs you’re part of, success will follow.
“So my advice is clear: prioritise education, maintain an open mind, be willing to learn, and couple that with hard work. That’s the path to success.”
Rhys was named Club Manager of the Year at the Wales Golf Awards in March for the improvements he has driven at Newport Golf Club since his appointment last year.
The former Assistant Professional at Machynys also served as Golf Shop Manager, Golf Services Manager and Golf Operations Manager there, before becoming Director of Golf and & Senior Resort Manager prior to spending six years as Club Manager at Pennard.
There is little he hasn’t experienced in his time in the golf industry and that’s led him to form some crucial management principles.
“My absolute non-negotiable is people first,” Rhys said. “My leadership compass is ‘positive people, professional performance’.
“That’s ultimately how I live and breathe day in, day out. If I can create a safe and positive environment where staff want to come to work and give their best, we’ll deliver the best experience for our members.
“This means being flexible – if someone has issues at home, needs time off, or wants to attend a personal event, the answer is always yes.
“Get things right at home, and everything else will follow. My priority is always people first — supporting their personal and professional needs ensures they can perform at their best.”
