A Week of Insight and Inspiration: Principles of Golf Club Management Certificate at Moor Park

09 October 2025

The annual residential Principles of Golf Club Management Certificate course unfolded over a dynamic and enriching week at the stunning Moor Park Golf Club in Rickmansworth.

Delegates from diverse professional backgrounds gathered to deepen their understanding of golf club operations, guided by a roster of esteemed industry experts.

🏌️‍♂️ Day 1: Foundations and Legal Essentials

The week commenced with an engaging introductory session led by Gareth Morgan, Professional Development Manager, where delegates explored current industry trends and challenges. The afternoon featured two pivotal sessions: Alistair Smith, Chief Executive of the NGCAA, delivered a comprehensive overview of Employment Law, followed by Steuart Fotheringham’s essential insights into Health & Safety Management.

📊 Day 2: Governance, Partnerships, and Hospitality

Day two opened with Jerry Kilby’s deep dive into Golf Club Governance and Strategic Planning. The afternoon spotlighted Scott Clark of Woking Golf Club, who emphasized the value of PGA Professionals and strategies to strengthen Manager–Professional relationships. Heather Moran, GCMA Newcomer of the Year Finalist, wrapped up the day with a masterclass in Food & Beverage Management, drawing from her extensive experience in clubhouse operations.

🌱 Day 3: Course Care, Marketing, and Membership

James Braithwaite, Course Manager at Long Ashton Golf Club, led a session on Golf Course Management, followed by Matthew Orwin of Promote Golf, who explored innovative marketing strategies tailored to golf clubs. The day concluded with Amelia Lewis from Players 1st guiding delegates through a collaborative workshop on Membership recruitment and retention, encouraging group-based planning and peer discussion.

🧠 Day 4: Case Studies, Ratings, and Wellbeing

Delegates began crafting group case studies focused on Governance, Food & Beverage, and Membership challenges. Sarah Barter from England Golf introduced a new module on Handicapping and Course Rating, while Gareth Morgan returned to lead a reflective session on wellbeing and work/life balance, an increasingly vital topic in club management.

🎓 Day 5: Leadership and Looking Ahead

The final day featured Keith Maynard from Progrezo, who delivered a powerful session on leadership and emotional intelligence. Delegates then presented their case study findings to peers and GCMA leaders Gareth Morgan and CEO Tom Brooke, showcasing impressive strategic thinking and collaborative problem-solving. Tom Brooke concluded the week with a forward-looking session on career development and ongoing support for graduates.

A Lasting Impact

The course proved to be a transformative experience for all involved, blending practical knowledge with strategic insight in a collaborative and inspiring setting. With plans already in place to return in 2026 for the Advanced Management Certificates, the GCMA continues to foster excellence in golf club leadership, one cohort at a time.

Upcoming Principles of Golf Club Management Courses

December 8-11th 2025 (Online)

March 16-19th 2026 (Online)

June 8-11th 2026 (Online)

September 21-25th 2026 (Residential)

December 14-17th 2026 (Online)

Find out more here: Principles of Golf Club Management Information

By Mark Shanley

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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.

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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.