Undertaking the course gave Tracey Rogers a fresh perspective, a new lease of life, and a route into a rewarding career.
Tracey Rogers is immersing herself in a new career at Maldon Golf Club after getting her grounding on the Principles of Golf Club Management course.
Entering golf club management from outside the profession can be a daunting prospect. The role spans every part of a club’s operation, while securing a first opportunity can depend on access to experienced advice and industry connections.
Available online or residentially, our one-week Principles course gives aspiring and new managers a foundation across areas including finance, governance, employment law, health and safety, membership and course operations.
Tracey’s decision to pursue that route followed a period of significant personal change. Her varied career had begun in accounting and later included work in schools and a property development business, before the loss of her partner brought upheaval and a need to find a fresh direction.
Throughout those changing circumstances, golf remained a constant and gradually began to suggest a way forward. Tracey had played seriously for around 14 years and spent a decade as a club member, serving as treasurer and captaining teams. A seasonal role at a local golf club in 2023 then showed her the work required to keep a club operating.
“I loved it, and seeing how a golf club runs, with everyone paddling like mad behind the scenes and looking like a swan on the surface – it definitely stood me in good stead for this role,” she said.
When Tracey considered her next move, a friend suggested joining the GCMA. Although she was not familiar with the association, combining her experience and knowledge of golf in a new career immediately made sense to her.
An initial enquiry led to an online conversation with Professional Development Manager Gareth Morgan. His encouragement reinforced what friends had already been telling her.
“Gareth really was the one who said, ‘Listening to what you’ve done in the past, what you’ve been through and your golf knowledge, you’re definitely heading in the right direction,'” she explained. “That was when I decided to do the Principles course.”
Tracey chose the online course in March and found its breadth helped her understand the scale of the profession she hoped to enter.
“I absolutely loved it,” she said. “Every session had a guest expert covering areas such as HR, course management, health and safety and food and beverage. There were great people on the course and everybody had come to it from a different direction.
“Gareth has such a lovely, calm and concise manner. He knows what he’s talking about, and he’s been great.”
Tracey found that the welcome extended well beyond the course. She was introduced to regional contacts Gary Smith and Robert Cooper and added to the region’s WhatsApp group, although she initially wondered how others might feel because she had yet to secure an industry role.
“Gary said, ‘You’re a member of the GCMA. You’ve got every right to be on the WhatsApp group.’ He added me, welcomed me and everyone immediately said hello. I felt that real acceptance and being included was lovely.”
That sense of belonging carried particular meaning after a difficult period in her personal life. At her first regional networking event at Thorndon Park Golf Club, members proved equally friendly and generous with their time.
Gary also drew her attention to the vacancy at Maldon and made the introductions. Tracey established an immediate connection with the club and was soon asked whether she could start the following week. She arrived on 23 April, completed a short handover and took responsibility for the operation.
“It has been full-on and non-stop because I arrived just as the golf season was taking off,” she said. “I’ve immersed myself in it completely. It has been a baptism by fire, but I love it and I’m really getting into the groove.”
Advice from Gareth and Gary to avoid rushing into changes during her first three months helped Tracey observe the club and reconsider her earliest priorities as more pressing matters emerged.
“It’s amazing how your first impressions can change,” she explained. “You see something and think, ‘I’m going to sort that out,’ and then it goes to the back burner because other things come to the fore. You realise what you actually need to be looking at.”
Being present around the clubhouse, particularly at weekends, has helped Tracey earn the trust of Maldon’s members. Her experience as a golfer and club member shapes an approach centred on listening, communication and making people feel that their concerns matter.
The first summer has been dominated by learning through experience. Tracey intends to pursue further professional development once the season eases, with club reporting among the areas she wants to explore more deeply.
“The best way to learn a language is to go and live in the country and start speaking it, and that is what I’ve wanted to do,” she said. “I can’t believe what I know now compared with what I didn’t know before.
“Gareth has checked in with me a couple of times, Gary has been great and the peer support on the WhatsApp group is amazing. Knowing there are people you can reach out to, pick their brains or run something by gives you a brilliant safety net, particularly when you’re new.”
Key takeaways
- The Principles course gives aspiring and new managers a broad introduction to the varied responsibilities involved in running a golf club.
- GCMA membership provides advice, regional connections and access to experienced industry colleagues while someone is seeking their first management role.
- Continued professional development and peer support remain valuable after securing a role, particularly during the early months of learning on the job.
