As we approach the end of the year, Tom Brooke shares his reflections on the past 12 months and looks ahead to what’s next for the GCMA and our members
As we approach the end of 2025, I’m writing this just days before our Golf Club Management Conference and Exhibition at the beautiful Cotswold Water Park. The GCMA team is in full preparation mode for what promises to be an inspiring three days of learning, networking and celebration, all built around our theme for this years event – Future Ready.
With four high-profile keynote speakers, in-depth workshops, an interactive exhibition, and our ever-popular gala dinner and awards, this year’s event truly reflects the strength and spirit of the GCMA community. If you’re attending, I hope you leave feeling energised, connected and ready for the future of golf club management.
Education & Career Development
GCMA Accreditation
GCMA Accreditation formally recognises your experience, qualifications and achievements, helping employers, colleagues and the wider industry see the professionalism and leadership behind your work. We’re proud to now have nearly 100 GCMA Accredited members, with many more progressing through the process. It’s been great to see so many of you displaying the “GCMA Accredited” title on LinkedIn and in email footers — a clear signal of quality and commitment to our profession.
Advanced Management Programme
Our Advanced Management Programme sits at the top of the GCMA education and professional development pathway, providing deep dive, practical learning experiences, delivered at Management level. The programme includes 11 individual Certificates, each one focussing on essential leadership and management skills and led by expert training partners. Since launching in 2024, over 100 delegates have taken part so far, with feedback averaging above 95% satisfaction. Enthusiasm for the 2026 schedule is already strong, and we look forward to welcoming even more of you next year into this superb programme.
Career Support for New and Aspiring Managers
For those earlier in their careers, our Principles of Golf Club Management Certificate remains the best starting point, with over 50 delegates each year gaining a solid grounding in every area of golf club operations.
Our new ASPIRE Series launched in 2025 — offering mentoring, group sessions and webinars led by experienced GCMA members to support the next generation of leaders. It’s been especially promising to see so many ASPIRE and Principles graduates progressing into more senior roles this year.
Career Pathway 121’s
In addition, our Career Pathway 121s have proven invaluable to so many of our members since we launched this new service just over 12 months ago. I’m particularly proud to say that we’ve already delivered over 200 personalised sessions, helping members to plan their career development and take the next step with clarity and confidence. If you’d like to find out more contact our dedicated Professional Development Manager, Gareth Morgan, or to book in for a 121 click the following link – BOOK A 1-2-1 MEETING NOW.
Regional Networks
Our regional network continues to deliver high-quality learning opportunities and peer connection. Highlights over the past 12 months include the Wales Mini-Conference, the South West Leadership Event, and new workshops at regional meetings, delivered through our expanding network of training partners. Most importantly, regional meetings are YOUR meetings. If there is a particular topic that you’re keen to hear more about, or if you would like to get more involved, then please contact your Regional Manager.
The growing support we’re now able to provide for our Regions via the HQ team, means that this particularly important aspect of our Association will continue to improve into 2026. We’ve also taken steps to increase the level of regional funding, through your membership subscriptions and business partnership income, which will further contribute towards enhancing the services you receive within your Region.
Partnerships & Collaborations
Business Partnerships
We’re extremely grateful to our 30+ Business Partners whose investment and insight help us deliver our full range of member services. A particular thank you to our long serving Premium Business Partners, Rain Bird and Fairway Credit, for their continued support and contribution.
Our expanded network of Training Partners now includes 59Club, The Revenue Club, Promote Golf, Players 1st and Bernhard Academy, which has been particularly impactful in enhancing the availability of high-quality education-based content, for regional meetings and webinars.
Industry Collaborations
Our collaboration across the wider golf industry continues to grow. As Chair of the GB&I Golf Forum, I’ve been proud to help advance joint projects involving multiple stakeholders, including some great work on key issues including Careers in Golf and Water Management.
We’ve also continued to work closely with England Golf and Wales Golf on Club Governance Guides and new volunteer learning modules — all aimed at promoting modern, well-structured governance that will help to better represent, support and empower you as Golf Club Managers.
Looking ahead, our ongoing partnership with BIGGA will see us co-host a joint event at BTME in Harrogate this coming January — bringing together Golf Club Managers and Greenkeepers to share best practice in agronomy, leadership and sustainability.
I’m also very pleased to report that our partnership with the R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service has been extended into 2026, furthering our connections with the global governing body.
Membership Benefits
Helpdesk & Information Hub
Our Helpdesk, Helplines and relaunched Information Hub continue to provide trusted, practical guidance to support your daily work — helping members make well-informed operational decisions and navigate an ever-changing industry with confidence. If you’re looking for answers or advice across any particular area of your role, then please remember that these resources are there for you whenever you need.
Personal Support
Through feedback from members, we’ve expanded our support network beyond professional advice to include personal wellbeing services. Our Personal Support and Insurance Package offers confidential counselling, legal helplines and employment dispute support.
We’ve also trained a network of Mental Health First Aiders across the membership and continue to manage the GCMA Benevolent Fund, offering financial assistance in times of hardship. These services exist to support you as a person, not just as a manager. We do of course, hope that you never need these particular benefits of your membership, but I hope it is reassuring to know that your Association is here to support you should you need it.
This year, we’ve continued to strengthen the GCMA for the future — making sure our Association is modern, inclusive and representative of today’s diverse and evolving profession of Golf Club Management.
As we near the end of the year, on behalf of our Board, Regional Managers and the entire HQ team, thank you for your continued membership, feedback and contribution to our community.
