23
May
2022
We profile some of the first intake selected for the industry-leading GCMA Mentor programme... This week: Jonathan Pearson, general manager at Horsforth Golf Club Why did you apply to become a GCMA Mentee? I’ve had a background in professional golf for the last 10 to 15 years and was the head professional at Moor Allerton for three years. It was a great position but then Covid struck, life was a bit challenging, and the job at Horsforth came up. I’d always wanted to do something like this, having a degree in Business Studies. I managed to get it and, obviously, thought, ‘this is an interesting job but I need a little bit more help and expertise’. Hence, why I tried to get a place on this programme. What was the feeling when you learned you’d been selected? I don’t know how many people applied but, from my point of view, it’s just [about] being with people in the room that are significantly smarter than I am I would suspect! My Mentor, Richard Penley-Martin, has got a really good CV, and I’m speaking to other people who are a little bit further down the track than I am in with working in golf clubs and the challenges they face. What are you hoping to get from the programme throughout the year? Learning a bit about governance at golf clubs and how they operate. I’m used to one-man bands, proprietary golf clubs, and a small board of directors. I’m now in an organisation with a much bigger committee and I want to discover ways we can move the golf club forward. What is GCMA Mentor? GCMA Mentor will support the professional and personal development of experienced and successful golf club managers, to develop leadership, communication and coaching skills as they take on the role of guiding the next generation of leaders. GCMA Mentors will help up-and-coming golf club managers and those new to the industry looking to develop their careers and become golf club managers. They will be involved in group and 1-2-1 sessions as well as the GCMA education programme. NOW READ: GCMA Mentor programme gets under way at Forest of Arden NOW READ: GCMA Mentor: Changing the face of the industry Do you subscribe to the GCMA's weekly E-newsletter? Make sure you're not missing out on the latest in the world of golf club management. Click here to join in. Please LOGIN to read the full article.
Not a member? Please click here to join today.
