The Club Management Association of Europe (CMAE) is delighted to announce that David Tilbury, General Manager at Sheringham 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. David’s achievement reflects over two decades of commitment to the golf industry and a strong dedication to continuous professional development.
Having joined Sheringham Golf Club 18 months ago, David leads a historic and highly regarded coastal club, known for its rich heritage and stunning location along the North Norfolk coastline. His leadership continues to build on the club’s strong foundations, enhancing both member experience and operational excellence.
Torbjörn Johansson, CEO of CMAE, commented:
“David’s achievement of the CCM is a fantastic milestone and a reflection of his dedication to both his personal development and the club industry as a whole. His journey, spanning 20 years in the game, demonstrates the value of continuous learning and professional growth. We are delighted to welcome David into the CCM community and congratulate him on this well-deserved accomplishment.”
Now a CCM, David joins a global network of club management professionals committed to excellence and the continued advancement of the industry.
Q&A with David Tilbury, CCM
General Manager, Sheringham 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?
The three days leading up to the exam was intense, but It was was made clear to us that this was not going to be like a normal MDP Course. I am glad I did it as it was great preparation for the exam. Coming out of the exam it was great relief to find out that I had passed and I felt a great sense of achievement.
It is now 20 years since you got your first full time job within the golf industry. Was that always your goal?
When studying for my A Levels, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. One day I read an article about a fairly new degree in Golf Management at Dornoch College in Scotland. I decided to look in to this further and visit the College. Looking at all the opportunities available to me with a career in Golf Management, I decided to enrol and have been in the industry ever since.
You have been at Sheringham Golf Club for a year and a half now, for someone who haven’t been there – please describe the club:
It all started at Sheringham in 1891 so the club is steeped in history with some spectacular coastal views from the course. It is located along the North Norfolk Coast on the cliff top and it is certainly a “must play” course. It has a vibrant and active membership and is a popular venue for golfing breaks.
You have been on the CCM Pathway for a few years now, what are some of your best memories from it?
My best memories have to be the people I have met along the way. I have met some incredible people during my journey and many I stay in touch with on a regular basis.
With regards to your golf club career and now also being a CCM – what would you recommend young people thinking about career development?
The golf industry offers so much in the way of career development and there are so many opportunities available. My advice would be to reach out to people and build your network as this has helped me so much over the years. Attending MDP Courses and Conferences is really important and has helped me become a better leader in my club which has in turn benefitted the club I have worked for. If you are unsure of your career pathway, reach out to people in the industry as they will be able to help and give advice.
