Safeproofing the golf industry for a successful and prosperous future provided the key focus for more than 250 delegates as the Golf Club Managers’ Association (GCMA) hosted its biennial conference and awards ceremony at the De Vere Cotswold Water Park this week.
This year’s event was centred around the headline subject of ‘Future Ready’, and the core themes of ‘sustainability, strategy and success’ provided the background for three days of keynote speeches, seminars, break-out sessions and networking when the conference took place in Gloucestershire from November 16-18.
Organised by the GCMA, the event is a key fixture in the golf industry calendar and provides club leaders, decision-makers, and industry professionals with world-class education, networking and the latest insights to help shape the future of golf club management.
In addition to the inspiring keynote sessions delivered by Allister Frost, John Steele OBE, Jo Salter MBE and Colin Maclachlan, the programme featured a wide variety of break-out sessions, giving delegates the chance to participate in relationship-building discussions, question-and-answer forums and interactive workshops. Topics included water management, club communication, AI, leadership, team building and recruitment.
Tom Brooke, CEO of the GCMA, (pictured) said: “The conference is our chance to look at the wider landscape and see how certain things are impacting golf club management, not just in the golf industry but in society as a whole. We really support our members, not just with what they need today but with what they might need in the future, so that they have a better understanding of golf club management and how to be a great leader.”
This year’s conference saw nearly 300 delegates gather on the second evening for a glittering gala dinner which included celebrating the achievements of the ‘best of the best’ at the 2025 GCMA Awards.
Awards were handed out in four different categories – Manager of the Year, Team of the Year, Newcomer of the Year and Support Manager of the Year – while the GCMA also awarded two additional honours to members for Outstanding Achievement and Lifetime Achievement.
The 2025 GCMA Awards winners were:
Manager of the Year: Chloe Boissel-Marshall, Tidworth Garrison Golf Club (Wiltshire)
Boissel-Marshall said: “I think I won because I wasn’t afraid to push boundaries and embrace change. Innovation in the industry is overdue, and delivering real change at Tidworth has made a difference.”
Team of the Year: Marton Meadows Golf Club (Cheshire) – Lisa Harrop and Chad Parker
Harrop said: “This recognition is huge for such a small club. We were up against some amazing venues, and coming out on top is phenomenal.”
Newcomer of the Year: Heather Moran, La Moye Golf Club (Jersey)
Moran said: “I’m incredibly proud—and really surprised—to receive the Newcomer of the Year Award. To be one of three women recognised feels like a sign of things to come. I nearly quit after six months, but my peers and colleagues encouraged me to keep going, and I’m so glad I did.”
Support Manager of the Year: Claire Bainbridge, Fulford Golf Club (North Yorkshire)
Bainbridge said: “I think we’re a really strong team, and this award belongs to all of us and to Fulford. My advice to anyone is just go for it. Enjoy it and take every opportunity.”
Outstanding Achievement: Cameron Dawson, given in recognition of his service to Keighley Golf Club and Yorkshire Golf
Dawson said: “To say I was shocked when I received the wonderful news about this award would be an understatement. The only previous recipient (JR Jones, president of the GCMA) is someone I am very proud to call my friend and someone I look up to. This is a big deal for me and a big deal for Yorkshire, and I feel very honoured.”
Lifetime Achievement Award: John Douglass, retired, given in recognition of his service to Liphook Golf Club (Surrey)
Douglass said: “It’s a great privilege and I’m full of pride. I’ve been a golf club secretary for 32 years, and I was quite happy to quietly slip away, but the dinner and awards ceremony has been overwhelming. It’s been a great journey and a wonderful industry to work in.”
