The Golf Club Managers Association hosted its annual convention and awards ceremony on the Leonardo Resort and Convention Venue Hinckley Island in Leicestershire earlier this week, with over 350 delegates attending over the course of the three-day occasion.
Themed across the subject of ‘Workforce Tradition’, the convention included no fewer than 5 keynote audio system who targeted on totally different components of group constructing and management, whereas these had been interspersed by dozens of smaller seminars and break-out periods, a few of which had been led by GCMA members, who shared their experiences and coated all kinds of matters from well being and security to cyber safety, youth improvement, sustainability and water administration, member retention, worker engagement, and inter-departmental communications.
There was additionally a commerce exhibition the place 30-plus key golf business suppliers and consultant our bodies had been capable of display their items and providers and work together with current purchasers and potential new prospects.
Monday night noticed practically 300 GCMA members and friends attend a gala dinner which included the presentation of GCMA’s annual awards, which this yr included three new award classes to take the whole as much as six awards.
The GCMA 2023 award winners had been as follows…
MANAGER OF THE YEAR (sponsored by Clever Golf)
Winner: Warren Ryan, Basic Supervisor, Newport Golf Membership, Wales
On receiving his award, Warren, who joined Newport in March 2021, stated: “It doesn’t really feel fairly actual to be sincere. I’m completely honoured to be in the identical expertise pool as we now have on show throughout the UK. It’s an enormous privilege. I’m thrilled. I don’t assume it’s sunk in but however I’m completely over the moon. You will have the top-end golf equipment right here and improbable managers. We’re all right here to higher the business so you’ve got individuals doing improbable issues. To be thought of by the judges and my friends that I’m in that very same bracket is kind of humbling.”
The opposite shortlisted candidates had been Melanie Drake, Basic Supervisor, Kings Hill GC; Matthew Parsley, Basic Supervisor, Conwy GC; and Susan Turner, Basic Supervisor, Seacroft GC.
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR (sponsored by ClubNet Techniques)
Winner: Luke Bearcroft, Basic Supervisor, Llanwern Golf Membership, Wales
After receiving his award, Luke stated: “It’s been an honour to even be nominated for this award, however to have received is a improbable feeling. It’s been a memorable expertise and I’ve actually loved trying again on my journey over the past 12 months. I discover myself in such a lucky place to be surrounded by an unbelievable community of people, particularly my fellow Welsh managers who’ve been an incredible help to me. And eventually, the GCMA, who supply an unwavering quantity of help each time we want it. Their devotion to schooling and the availability of various pathways to proceed improvement has been invaluable. Equally, the enterprise conferences and all the companions of the GCMA has given us entry to info or specialists that we might not have had with out the GCMA, so I’m actually grateful for them for all of the work they’ve achieved.”
The opposite short-listed candidate for this award was Hamish Mackay, Basic Supervisor at Weston-super-Mare GC, who stated: It’s sensible simply to be nominated. I used to be capable of inform among the group about it and it was nice simply to see how glad they had been, as a result of it truly is a group factor that we’ve achieved. To get to the stage I’ve bought to now could be unimaginable with out the group.”
SUPPORT MANAGER OF THE YEAR (sponsored by Obbi Golf)
Winner: Karri Chambers, previously of Minchinhampton GC, Gloucestershire
Karri stated: “The yr has been loopy, it appears like about two months as a result of time has simply flown by. I’m not on the golf membership anymore, however we had an incredible group and I met some wonderful individuals. I’ve bought quite a lot of buddies which have adopted me in my new profession path and it’s been a extremely good expertise the place I realized quite a bit.”
TEAM OF THE YEAR (sponsored by Golf HR)
Winner: Walton Heath Golf Membership, Surrey
Alex Woodward, Chief Government of Walton Heath Golf Membership, stated: “It feels improbable. To face with this group, at the moment and day by day, it’s simply terrific – they deserve each accolade that comes their manner. We’ve been judged by our friends in a Convention yr the place the main focus was group tradition, which makes it much more particular. The GCMA are the ever-supporting affiliation who’re there each time we want assist – the usage of the library, the skilled improvement, and the peer-to-peer studying is simply top quality.”
The opposite two shortlisted golf equipment for the group award had been Lincoln Golf Membership, led by Basic Supervisor Louis Sales space and Redditch Golf Membership, led by Basic Supervisor Kerry Alligan-Smith.
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION (sponsored by Gamers 1st)
Winner: JR JONES
This new award, which recognises a GCMA member’s exceptional dedication and contributions to the business, colleagues, or the Affiliation, was given to JR Jones, the longstanding President of the GCMA, in recognition of his dedication and dedication to the function he has held since 2007.
On receiving his award, Jones stated: “It’s improbable to obtain an award for doing one thing you truly love, which is a bit odd, actually. The honour of serving in itself is a reward, since you combine with individuals, and also you see the outcomes of your work. I do it as a result of I get pleasure from it and proceed to get pleasure from this business. I’ve significantly loved my varied roles through the years with the GCMA and been privileged to take action. And, extra importantly, it’s enjoyable!”
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
WINNER: John Dinsdale
The brand new Lifetime Achievement award went to John Dinsdale, the overall supervisor at Whitchurch Golf Membership in Cardiff, who stated: “I’ve met lots of people I respect drastically. It’s been a delight. I simply need to ask, ‘Why me for this award?’. I can’t imagine it.”
To study extra concerning the GCMA, go to gcma.org.uk.
