The Club Management Association of Europe (CMAE) is delighted to announce that Jamie Wood, Director of Golf at Royal Norwich Golf Club, has achieved the prestigious Certified Club Manager (CCM) designation.
The CCM is the highest level of professional recognition in club management, awarded to individuals who complete the BMI pathway, demonstrating excellence across leadership, governance, finance, operations, and member experience. Jamie’s achievement reflects a truly international career and a long-standing commitment to professional development within the club industry.
Jamie’s career has taken him across the globe, with six years in Dubai followed by almost 15 years in Oman, where he played a key role in the development of golf at Al Mouj. His return to the UK in 2024 marked a new chapter, joining Royal Norwich Golf Club — a club with significant ambition and potential — where he is now part of a team focused on shaping its future.
CMAE CEO Torbjørn Johansson commented:
“Jamie’s achievement of the CCM is a fantastic milestone and a reflection of both his international experience and his commitment to continuous development. His journey across the UK and Middle East, combined with his dedication to learning, embodies what the CCM represents. We are delighted to welcome Jamie into the CCM community.”
Jamie’s achievement adds to a growing global network of CCMs committed to raising standards and advancing excellence in club management.
Q&A with Jamie Wood, CCM
Director of Golf, Royal Norwich Golf Club
You are now a CCM. What is your feeling after three tough days on the review course before sitting the exam and passing it?
Firstly I am very happy, and if I’m being honest a little relieved, to have passed the exam. Being the first group outside of the States to sit the full 8 hour multiple choice exam I think we all knew that the review course was going to be important. With the answers being right or wrong you weren’t able to necessarily rely on past experiences as you may have done in the written case study. The three days prior to the exam were made up of sessions that reviewed key facts and definitions which proved invaluable. As always the presenters were engaging and supportive, I must also thank David, John, and the entire team at the Caledonian Club for making us feel very welcome.
You spend 6 years in Dubai and then almost 15 years in Oman before returning to England. How was your adventure in the Middle East?
Longer than expected! The plan back in 2005 was to head overseas for a couple of years and experience what full time teaching felt like. Opportunities presented themselves, and personal circumstances changed, which resulted in me staying a bit longer. As anyone who has visited will know, the Middle East and in particular Dubai, is a very dynamic and fast evolving market. I was fortunate in 2005 to be around as golf was really starting to grow, it was an exciting time and a privilege to be involved. I was then offered the opportunity to move to Oman as part of the pre opening team at Al Mouj which called upon many previous experiences and ultimately with the guidance of Chris May and Andrew Whitelaw led me towards the CMAE.
Why did you decide to come back now? And how has the first year in Royal Norwich been?
The first year at Royal Norwich has been good, it has had an interesting journey since it moved in 2019 and I’ve tried my best to fully understand this, 12 months in and I’m still learning. They clearly had big aspirations, so it has good bones and so much potential, it is exciting to be part of a team that are working on realising this. The decision to move back was mainly driven by family, whilst we were very happy in the Middle East the time was right to come home. I think post COVID a lot of expats started to reconsider their plans, this was definitely the case with us and fortunately we were in a position to be able to make some choices. The family moved back in summer 2024 and the opportunity at Royal Norwich came up a few months later so I was able to follow.
You have been very golf focused in your career – what do you do besides golf for fun?
Golf has definitely been the focus, and as I am sure most people in the industry would testify that doesn’t always leave a lot of time for anything else, especially when there is family involved too. Having lived overseas in rented accomodation for so long it is really nice to be at home in our own house, and I’ve enjoyed spending time doing bits and pieces. It would be fair to say that I enjoy solving problems and learning new things, whether that’s working through the CCM exam or figuring out how central heating works (or doesn’t!).
You have been on the CCM Pathway for a few years now, what are some of your best memories from it?
Yes I started the journey back in 2017, and it was quite fitting that a few of my fellow MDP1 Warwick attendees were sitting the exam at the same time as me. The World Conference in Las Vegas two years ago was great and for me without question the standout keynote speaker was Will Guidara. Every MDP I’ve been on has had its highlights, there has been some great learning in the classroom but also a great sense of camaraderie outside of it. Achieving the certification was always the aim, but the network of industry colleagues that have shared the experiences and are now willing to share their knowledge has proven to be just as, if not more, important.
With regards to your international career and now also being a CCM – what would you recommend young people thinking about career development?
Before I left for the Middle East I worked at the Belfry and from time to time was asked to speak to potential PGA trainees at their Admission Review Programme. During these presentations I tried to highlight the opportunities that I felt existed working within the industry, where you are surrounded by experts in their respective fields who are, more often than not, very willing to share their experiences. I would always conclude by saying that whilst this wouldn’t necessarily be within their job descriptions or fall within their PGA training it would be a shame not to take advantage of it. I stand by this, and ironically then found an education programme in the CMAE/CMAA pathway that followed much the same ethos. So my recommendation would be to stay curious and ask questions, build your network, and if opportunities present themselves, and circumstances permit, to commit to them fully.
