The Club Management Association of Europe (CMAE) is delighted to announce that Jon Dry, General Manager at Broadstone Golf Club, has achieved Certified Club Manager (CCM) status – the highest level of professional recognition in club management.
The CCM designation is awarded to individuals who have successfully completed the CMAE’s Business Management Institute (MDP/BMI) pathway, demonstrating excellence across leadership, governance, finance, operations and member experience.
Jon’s achievement marks the culmination of a long-term commitment to professional development, having first set his sights on the CCM designation in 2019.
Torbjörn Johansson, CEO of CMAE, commented:
“Congratulations to Jon on achieving his CCM designation. This is a significant accomplishment that reflects years of dedication, learning and professional growth. Jon joins a growing global community of club management professionals who are committed to excellence and continuous development. We are proud to welcome him into the CCM ranks.”
With more than 20 years in the golf industry, Jon has built an impressive career across a number of highly regarded clubs. He now leads Broadstone Golf Club, where he has been General Manager for the past four years.
Jon Dry CCM – Q&A
Congratulations Jon – You are now a CCM. What is your feeling after hearing the beautiful words “You have passed” after sitting the exam for 8 hours?
A combination of sheer delight and huge relief. I set myself the goal of passing the CCM back in 2019 while sitting in London on MDP 1, so to finally hear those words meant a great deal.
It’s a process that requires time, commitment and personal sacrifice, so there was a real sense of pride in knowing that the hard work had paid off. The exam itself is certainly demanding, so to come through that and be successful was very rewarding
You have been over 20 years in the Golf Industry, and you have been at some wonderful clubs – please share your journey within the industry:
I’ve been very fortunate to experience some wonderful clubs. I started out as an Assistant Professional at Hennerton and Wokefield Park, before progressing to Head Assistant Professional at Bearwood Lakes.
I then moved to Queenwood, where I had the opportunity to work as part of an incredible team led by Mark Roberts. That experience was pivotal for me. It showed how you can create truly memorable moments through the customer journey that stay with people forever.
An opportunity then arose to return to Bearwood Lakes as Director of Golf, a club I have wonderful memories of, where I led an exceptional team. I’m very proud to see so many of those team members now enjoying successful careers of their own.
Although I loved my role as Director of Golf, I knew I wanted to become a General Manager. I was fortunate to secure the GM position at Fulford, a club with incredible history in the beautiful city of York. My wife and I relocated there, and just a few months later we found ourselves in lockdown. Quite the introduction to life as a GM.
We had always spoken about raising a family by the seaside, and Broadstone provided the perfect opportunity to move closer to home and achieve that lifestyle
You are now GM at Boardstone – tell us about it!
I’m now four years into my time at Broadstone, and it’s an honour to be General Manager of such a special club. It has a strong history as a Top 100 course and a membership deeply passionate about the club.
We’re on an exciting journey to fulfil our potential on the course, having recently recruited a new Course Manager who is building a strong team and elevating the standard of the playing surfaces and surrounding environment.
The team here is exceptional. I’ve always been focused on creating a warm, welcoming experience for members and guests, and that culture has really developed. Combined with the progress on the course and the support of a passionate Committee, it’s a very exciting time for us.
When you started in the industry, did you have the focus on becoming a GM early – or has it grown along the way?
Early in my career, I was very focused on becoming a Director of Golf, which I achieved aged 29. While I thoroughly enjoyed that role, I knew I wanted to push myself further.
With a strong interest in both agronomy and food & beverage, the General Manager role felt like the natural next step. Carl Rutherford, Managing Director at Bearwood Lakes at the time, was hugely supportive of my development, and introduced me to the CMAE Educational Pathway. I secured my first GM role just a few months after attending MDP 1.
You have been on the CCM Pathway for a few years now, what are some of your best memories from it?
MDP 2 in Stirling stands out as I was part of a fantastic group just a few weeks before lockdown. The support within the group through WhatsApp and Zoom was invaluable as we navigated such a challenging time at our clubs.
However, MDP Food & Beverage in Montreux must be the highlight. The experience and learning from that week have been hugely beneficial, and F&B ended up being my strongest section in the CCM exam.
The pathway offers outstanding education, but just as importantly, it gives you a network of fellow managers who are always there to support you.
With regards to your career and now also being a CCM – what would you recommend young people thinking about career development?
Jump in. Don’t be afraid to reach out to people already on the pathway, whether they’re just starting out or are experienced CCMs.
When I began my journey, the support from people I had looked up to for many years was incredible. People will make time to help, it’s a special industry, you just have to ask.
Any final comments:
I’d like to extend a huge thank you to Jason and Toby for their support throughout the CCM process. The exam is a significant undertaking, and the time given by other CCMs to support me is something I truly appreciate.
I’ve also been incredibly fortunate to have the backing of everyone at Broadstone. And finally, a special thank you to my wife, Louise, for her patience and understanding throughout the journey.
