29
June
2023
We talk to GCMA members about how they do their jobs and ask what advice they can share with peers like you. This week, we speak to Hankley Common general manager, and GCMA board member, Ed Richardson. What do you wish you’d known at the start of your career? That things will go wrong and events will happen beyond your control, and you need to be prepared for that. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Find a handful of critical friends at a golf club - a combination of ordinary members, committee members and members of staff - and encourage them to keep you up to speed with what is going on at the club. What are we doing well, what could we do better and what is the current mood amongst the membership? What's the best mistake you've ever made? Blimey, tough question...I have made plenty of mistakes, although I am not sure any could be described as being the best! I suppose early on in my career at Newbury and Crookham I had too much of an open door policy and allowed everyone into the office to chat for as long as they liked. It did have some benefits as it created a positive atmosphere and sense of engagement with everyone, but it was definitely a mistake as I became swamped with the administration work that needed doing - emails, updating policies and so on - and within a few months felt burdened by the sheer volume of the things I hadn’t yet done! “Every golf club manager should read this book..." I prefer listening to podcasts and watching videos, and one of my favourite podcasts is Simon Sinek's. He just seems to speak a lot of sense, despite it all being fairly simple. Describe golf club management in 10 words or less Like driving a steamroller whilst simultaneously spinning plates. Fun though! Please LOGIN to read the full article.
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