Finally, professional managers who manage golf clubs in the Asia Pacific region can proudly belong to an association that they can call their very own.
In a historic development, the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) in conjunction with CMAA Asia Pacific Private Limited has taken a bold step to spread its presence to the Asia Pacific region as it sees a rapidly growing demand to cater to the wide-ranging needs of all practicing club managers in the area.
CMAA has committed its human resources and its global support network to extending this pathway to the Asia Pacific region.
Commenting on the birth of the Asia Pacific Chapter, CMAA’s chief executive officer James B. Singerling said, “What CMAA has learned and developed as “best practices” over the past 86 years is now available to everyone, all of you, who wish to invest themselves in the Asia-Pacific Golf Industry. It is CMAA’s desire to SHARE our success”.
He explained, “As we prepare to witness the sport of golf’s re-entry into the Olympic Games in Brazil, the world will become more aware of the global impact of golf as a sport and we are excited to watch the Asia-Pacific golf industry grow and enjoy the success America, and so many citizens around the world are now enjoying through the sport of golf – the time is perfect and the global citizenry and the Olympic Games will define our future.
“This is a milestone achievement for the CMAA and with the entry of this powerful organization into the region, we can expect to see numerous initiatives being introduced to help advance and grow the professional stature of club managers throughout the Continent,” declared Mike Sebastian, president of CMAA Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, the organisation spear-heading the new Asia Pacific Chapter.
“We regard the establishment of the Asia Pacific Chapter as part of our plan to strategically expand our international growth opportunities in a very important part of the world and to help fulfil the CMAA’s mission,” said Singerling.
The Club Managers Association of America is the professional Association for managers of membership clubs. CMAA has close to 6,500 members across all classifications. Its manager members operate more than 2,500 country, golf, athletic, city, faculty, military, town and yacht clubs.
The objectives of the CMAA are to promote and advance friendly relations among persons connected with the management of clubs and other associations of similar character; to encourage the education and advancement of members; and to assist club officers and members, through their managers, to secure the utmost in efficient and successful operations. The Club Managers Association of America advances the profession of club management by fulfilling the educational and related needs of its members.
Commenting on the Asia Pacific Chapter, Jason P. Koenigsfeld, CMAA’s senior vice president of professional development explained, “The formation of a new CMAA Chapter in the Asia Pacific is a win/win for CMAA and the managers in the area – CMAA looks forward to bringing its global “Hallmark
of Professionalism”, The Certified Club Manager designation (CCM) as well as its professional development programmes which provide a pathway to the CCM to the club leaders in the Asia Pacific Rim”.
He went on to add, “We look forward to working, listening and learning from the club leaders in Asia and the pathway to the Certified Club Manager designation will be similar to what CMAA has achieved in other international destinations including Canada, China, Europe and South Africa”.
This outlook is shared by another CMAA stalwart, Henry DeLozier, Principal of Global Golf Advisors who said, “CMAA has established a global brand through its unparalleled approach to professional education and accreditation. Club managers across the globe wish to earn the CMAA designations of Certified Club Executive (“CCE”) and Certified Club Manager (“CCM”) and the spirit of excellence is a common language thanks to CMAA”.
DeLozier believes that the Asia-Pacific Chapter is sure to take its place at the convergence of great opportunity and professional readiness.
One of the hallmarks of the CMAA is its education and training programmes.
“Sessions on important topics such as accounting and finance, club governance, leadership including strategic planning, human resources, communication skills, facilities management, golf, sports and recreation management, food and beverage management, external governmental influences including local laws and customs and membership/marketing will be addressed and adapted to meet the needs of the local market,” stressed Koenigsfeld.
Members of the new Asia Pacific Chapter will be afforded the opportunity to learn and network with managers in the local environment as well as other managers in CMAA’s global network.
The man who started the move to create a passage for the CMAA to help start up the Asia Pacific Chapter is a past president of the CMAA and a long-time member of the organization. He is Mike Leemhuis, chief executive officer of the prestigious Congressional Country Club in the United States of America.
This is how he recalled the developments leading up to the birth of the Asia Pacific Chapter, “When I first was approached by Mike Sebastian in Singapore in April 2012 regarding the establishment of an Asia Pacific Chapter of CMAA, I was not sure if we would ever see this great idea become reality. I suggested to him that he would need to meet with Jim Singerling and for them to work out if something like this had any merit. After numerous meetings and a visit by myself and Jim to the 2012 APGS in Brunei Darussalam, a decision was made between the three of us to pursue this matter further with urgency”. Leemhuis continued, “More meetings were held and with the help of Mike, Jim, CMAA staff and golf expert/consultant Henry DeLozier, the Asia Pacific Chapter of CMAA was born”.
The Asia Pacific Chapter will be located in Singapore and will con duct its services throughout the region from this hub.
The official launch of the new chapter will be staged during the proceedings of the 2013 Asia Pacific Golf Summit which will be staged at the Shangri-la Hotel Jakarta on November 5 – 7.
Contact:
