The Club Management Association of Europe (CMAE) is proud to announce that Matthias Gullberg has successfully achieved the prestigious Certified Club Manager (CCM) designation — becoming the first club management professional in Norway to earn this globally recognised certification.
Matthias has been a leading figure in the Norwegian golf and club industry for over a decade, having served as a General Manager for 12 years and as the former CEO of Golf Managers Association of Norway (GAF Norway). His extensive experience, leadership, and passion for elevating club standards have positioned him at the forefront of the profession.
“This is a proud and historic moment for club management in Norway,” said Torbjorn Johansson, CEO of CMAE. “Matthias has not only been a strong advocate for education and professional development in his country, but now he’s achieved the highest standard of personal certification in the industry. His dedication sets a great example for others across Scandinavia and beyond.”
The CCM designation is awarded to club managers who demonstrate a deep understanding of 11 core competencies through training, experience, and examination. It is a mark of excellence recognised globally in the club industry.
Matthias shares his thoughts on this momentous achievement in an exclusive Q&A:
Well done on achieving the CCM, Matthias Gullberg. How happy are you right now?
Extremely happy! When I saw the call coming from the UK, I had a feeling it might be about the CCM — but I wasn’t entirely sure I had made it. The moment they confirmed it was an incredible mix of excitement and relief.. — it’s been a long and intense year, and it feels amazing to have completed it. Earning the CCM title means a lot to me, not just as recognition for the hard work during the MDPs, but as proof of the dedication and effort I’ve put into my entire career.
With a father in the Club industry (General Manager – and previously Pro) it was always meant for you to be in the golf industry – please tell us about your journey into it;
It’s true — my father, a PGA Professional and General Manager, has been an incredible mentor throughout my life. He’s the one who introduced me to the industry, and I think he might even be prouder of my CCM than I am. He dedicated most of his life to the golf industry and played a major role in growing the game in Norway during the 1990s and 2000s.
In a way, earning this certificate feels like validation for both of us.
I’m not sure if it was always “meant to be,” but I was definitely born into it. I have early memories of driving the range cart picking up golf balls when I was about five, and even sleeping under the pro shop counter as a toddler while my mother ran the shop.
But I always had a choice. It wasn’t until I was 24, after years of working for my father, that I truly decided this was the career path I wanted to pursue. Watching golf evolve in Norway — from about 10–12 courses when I was young to over a hundred today — was hugely inspiring and made me want to be a part of that growth.
At that point, I had never even heard of CMAE. I went on to complete my degree in Golf Management at UCLan in Preston, UK, and then returned to Norway, where I have been working as a General Manager for the past 12 years.
Soon after, I was given the responsibility of taking over GAF – Golf Management Norway (later CMAE Norway) and rebuilding the organization into what it is today — a strong network covering managers from most golf courses in Norway, and working closely with the greenkeepers’ association.
Being both Swedish and Norwegian has been a huge advantage. Sweden was already doing a fantastic job in educating and networking club managers, and I saw a gap that needed filling in Norway. Connecting with both the Swedish network and CMAE was key to our progress. It’s incredibly rewarding to now see more and more managers in Norway completing the MDPs and continuing to raise the standard.
You sat the CCM Exam Review Course in April. How was that experience compared to “normal” training?
It was definitely a bit more intense, but incredibly helpful. There’s a lot of information to cover across the 11 competency areas, and the review course was a great way to refocus and set a clear goal. It really helped me identify my weaker areas and what I needed to revisit before the exam.
I would highly recommend taking the review course — not just for the structure it provides, but also for the opportunity to meet and discuss with colleagues who are also preparing for the CCM exam. Sharing experiences and challenges with others on the same journey was extremely valuable.
And of course, it didn’t hurt that we got to spend time at the Caledonian near Hyde Park in London.
Your CCM Journey is a bit different to many others (and nothing we would recommend) – but circumstances saw you do multiple MDPs in a shorter amount of time. Tell us about that:
Yes, stepping away from my role as a GM in 2024 and starting my own company gave me the opportunity — and the time — to complete the MDPs in one sweep. I finished my first MDP 1 in March 2024 and sat the CCM Exam on April 3rd, 2025. So essentially, I completed the entire CCM journey in just one year.
That said, it’s not entirely true that I started from scratch. During my time as President of CMAE Norway, I had several opportunities to attend taster sessions and the World Conference, where I first got to know Bill and especially Darshan — both of whom have been great inspirations when it comes to teaching. That background certainly helped.
Completing all the MDPs in such a short time was intense, and honestly, I wouldn’t recommend it. While it gave me the advantage of having much of the theoretical knowledge fresh in my mind for the exam, I believe that real value comes from being able to relate the learning back to your own practical experiences. Throughout the journey, I found myself constantly reflecting on moments from my career, and connecting them to the concepts we were studying. That self-reflection was incredibly rewarding and helped me grow even more.
Having several years behind me as a GM was crucial, and having completed a degree in England also made a difference. The English education style, with its focus on reports and case studies, felt quite similar — but also very different. University tends to prepare you for a future career, while the MDPs are all about enhancing and elevating your current professional role.
Even though I am not currently a GM at a golf club and now work as a consultant and supplier, the knowledge and skills I gained through the MDPs and CCM process will always stay with me and continue to be incredibly valuable.
Do you now consider yourself a Swedish or Norwegian CCM?
I’m proud to be both Swedish and Norwegian, and I feel a strong connection to both countries. But considering that I’ve spent most of my career working in Norwegian golf, I would definitely say I am a Norwegian CCM. 🇳🇴 It feels fitting, especially given how much of my professional journey has been tied to the development of golf in Norway. At the same time, having roots in both countries has given me a broader perspective, and I’m grateful for how both backgrounds have shaped my career.
Anything else you want to share with people thinking about becoming CCM?
Don’t hesitate to start. Having the CCM title next to your name is a great achievement, but the real value lies in the journey itself. The knowledge, the self-reflection, and the growth you experience along the way are truly what matter.
Completing the CCM alongside your career makes the learning even more meaningful and immediately applicable. And just as important — the network you build is priceless. The number of managers and colleagues I’ve met, bonded with, and now call friends through the MDPs and CCM process is something I truly treasure. It’s an investment in yourself that keeps giving back.
