The European Club Education Foundation (ECEF) is thrilled to announce the award of two Ethnically Diverse Managers in Golf Bursaries for the 2024/25 season, furthering its commitment to promoting inclusion within the club industry.
Generously funded by The R&A, these bursaries will enable two deserving recipients to participate in the prestigious CMAE Management Development Programme (MDP), widely regarded as the leading educational pathway for aspiring club managers.
The two bursary recipients are Kenneth Cornelia, Events & Experience Executive at Al Zorah Golf Club in the United Arab Emirates, and Ali Jodiyawalla, Golf Operations Manager at JCB Golf & Country Club in England.
Reflecting on this milestone, Kenneth shared her gratitude:
“I’m so grateful to have been awarded the Ethnically Diverse Managers in Golf Bursary. This is an incredible opportunity and I want to thank The R&A and CMAE for creating this initiative to support diversity in the golf industry. A huge thank-you also to Al Zorah Golf Club and Philip Henderson for their constant support and encouragement—I couldn’t have done this without them. I’m excited to start the Management Development Programme and take the next step in my career. I hope to inspire others to see golf as a sport and career that’s open to everyone.”
Ali also expressed his appreciation:
“I am honoured to have been awarded the Ethnically Diverse Managers in Golf Bursary. I would like to extend my gratitude to both the CMAE and The R&A for this fantastic opportunity and have no doubt it will help propel my career.”
CMAE CEO Torbjörn “Toby” Johansson highlighted the significance of the initiative:
“We are proud of our partnership with The R&A, which enables us to offer bursaries and expand access to education. Kenneth and Ali are highly motivated individuals and we’re delighted to support their journey through our programmes.”
These awards follow the earlier recognition of two other recipients this year: Tiago Mendes from Oitavos Dunes Links Golf in Portugal and Amr Nagy from Gezira Sporting Club in Cairo, Egypt, who were also granted Ethnically Diverse Managers in Golf Bursaries to participate in the CMAE Management Development Programme.
The ECEF remains dedicated to fostering talent and diversity in club management across Europe.
For more information about the European Club Education Foundation, visit www.cmaeurope.org/european-club-education-foundation.
Pictured – Ali Jodiyawalla (L) and Kenneth Cornelia (R)
