Club Governance Guide Version 2.0
Press Release
GCMA, with input from key stakeholders across the sport, has today issued a new governance guide for clubs alongside England Golf in the ongoing drive to modernise and grow the game.
These stakeholders recognise the value of improving the organisation and structures of clubs in order to maximise their potential for profitability and growth.
By co-ordinating a unified approach to good governance and setting this out in an easy-to-read format in the second edition of the guide, clubs the length and breadth of the country will now benefit from a strong template which can either be adopted or adapted to meet needs of individual organisations.
The document provides tools, activities, discussion points and best practice ideas for clubs to take on board.
It will also provide clear signposting for clubs in order that they may face the future with confidence. Clubs can find pointers on how best to tackle the challenges of an evolving membership structure, constantly-changing legal requirements and all-important safeguarding procedures.
A well-run club is a thriving club and the ‘9-holes of Excellent Governance’ feature of the new guide will help clubs to improve sustainability both financially and administratively.
In an ever-changing marketplace, clubs can learn to manage resources, effectively recruit for staff and committee positions and meet the needs of members and golf consumers by following the good governance blueprint.
Clubs – no matter how large or small their membership, how modern or traditional their facilities – can learn how to set their own standards of excellence to drive improvement and, at the same time, develop the culture of the organisation.
The varied case studies from England, Scotland and Wales also provide real-time reference points to demonstrate the practical benefits of adopting good practice at all levels of club management.
Bob Williams, CEO, GCMA said, “Good governance of the golf club is paramount to the members of the GCMA. It is the one issue that collectively causes us more challenges than any other, particularly as the commercial pressures of running a club in the modern golf industry requires a unified management strategy that is inclusive of the Club Managers and the volunteers for every golf club.”
The R&A’s backing for the governance guide underlines their ongoing commitment to the modernisation of golf.
“We all have a role to play in growing golf and if we are to achieve that goal then we have to modernise and make the sport more appealing, accessible and inclusive,” commented Duncan Weir, Executive Director – Golf Development and Amateur Championships.
“Good governance in the running of clubs is a key element of ensuring that golf is attractive both to existing members and potential new members.
“This guide is designed to promote best practice in governance and act as a reference resource for clubs to help them continue to improve and develop their management processes.”
