Fairway Credit Return as Headline Sponsors of GCMA National Members Championship

30 April 2026

Press Release

The Golf Club Managers’ Association (GCMA) is delighted to announce the return of Fairway Credit as headline sponsor of the GCMA National Members Championship.

This renewed partnership marks a continued commitment from Fairway Credit to support golf club managers and the Association, reinforcing their valued role within the GCMA community, having also served as a headline sponsor of the GCMA National Conference last year. Their backing ensures that the National Members Championship remains one of the standout events in the GCMA calendar, bringing together managers from across the UK for a day of competition golf and networking.

Paul Shields, National Sales Manager at Premium Credit commented,

“Fairway Credit is once again proud to be the headline sponsor of the GCMA Members Championship 2026, to be held at Frilford Heath Golf Club. We greatly enjoyed being the main sponsor of last year’s Championship at the magnificent Parkstone Golf Club and were keen to continue our support at this year’s event.

Fairway Credit has a long-standing relationship with the GCMA, and we are always pleased to support this great association wherever we can. We look forward to catching up with GCMA members on 20 May.”

Fairway Credit has long been recognised for its tailored financial solutions for golf clubs, helping facilities invest in their future and enhance member experiences. Their ongoing collaboration with the GCMA highlights a shared vision of strengthening the sustainability and success of golf clubs nationwide.

“We are incredibly grateful for Fairway Credit’s continued support of our association and, for the second consecutive year, our prestigious Members’ Championship. Paul and the team at Fairway Credit are a long‑standing premium partner of the GCMA, and their commitment means a great deal to us. We are extremely proud to have them as the main sponsor of this year’s championships at Frilford Heath.”

– Darren Wood, GCMA Partnerships Manager

The GCMA National Members Championship promises another memorable year, combining high-quality competition with valuable networking opportunities for our members.

Register for the National Members Championships here

– END –

Media contact:

Mark Shanley

+44 (0) 1275 391 153

[email protected]

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.