The Club Management Association of Europe (CMAE) is proud to announce that Jeff Fallon has officially achieved the globally recognised Certified Club Manager (CCM) designation, marking a significant milestone in his professional journey and commitment to excellence in club leadership.
With over two decades of experience in the golf and club management industry, Jeff currently serves as General Manager at Royal Dublin Golf Club, one of Ireland’s most historic and distinguished clubs. His leadership has helped guide the club through a period of, member-focused enhancements and operational excellence.
Prior to his current role, Jeff held senior management positions at other renowned clubs, including The Fox Club and Portmarnock Golf Club. His track record reflects a deep commitment to delivering world-class member experiences, strategic development, and team leadership at the highest level.
“The CCM designation is more than a certification – it’s a recognition of dedication, knowledge, and leadership across all aspects of club management,” said Torbjorn Johansson, CEO of CMAE. “Jeff has long exemplified these qualities, and we’re delighted to welcome him into the CCM community.”
Jeff shares his thoughts on this momentous achievement in an exclusive Q&A:
Well done on achieving the CCM, Jeff Fallon. How happy are you right now?
I’m absolutely delighted! In the weeks leading up to the exam, I was particularly concerned about the multiple-choice section, but the CMAE preparation course held just beforehand really helped to ease those nerves. It was an excellent way to pick up key insights, especially in areas I wouldn’t consider personal strengths, and to have the information fresh going into the exam.
Overall, the journey to achieving CCM has been a really enjoyable one. I’ve thoroughly appreciated the various MDP courses, with the exception perhaps of the online MDP1 during the Covid period. Attending World Conference for the first time was also a highlight, and something I probably wouldn’t have done if it hadn’t been a requirement for CCM. That experience, along with the broader journey, allowed me to meet some fantastic people and build a strong network, which is invaluable in our industry. It’s reassuring to know that others have faced similar challenges and are willing to share their experiences.
You are the GM at the Royal Dublin Golf Club, what are your main challenges with the club – members and staff?
Human resources is an ongoing challenge. Both recruitment and retention are key focus areas in our strategic plan, and these issues are only becoming more pronounced year on year. One of the most pressing concerns is within our greenkeeping department. The rate of pay across the industry doesn’t fully reflect the skilled nature of the work, particularly when compared with other skilled trades. On top of that, the education and career pathways for aspiring greenkeepers in Ireland are relatively limited.
An Teagasc, in Ireland, has made commendable progress by establishing a Level 6 Apprenticeship in Sportsturf Management in recent years, but this programme is only available to those already employed in the industry. There is still a real gap when it comes to attracting school leavers into greenkeeping as a viable and rewarding career. That is something the wider golf industry needs to address. After all, the golf course is a club’s most important asset, especially at a golf only facility like ours. It is the priority for almost every member, and if we do not have the people in place to maintain it to a high standard, we are looking at a very uncertain future.
On the positive side, I am now in my eighth year at Royal Dublin, and I am very fortunate to work with a strong, dedicated team and a supportive membership. The members genuinely love their club, and that passion shines through in everything they do. We have navigated some significant changes in recent years, including a full governance review and the successful adoption of a Strategic Plan. These initiatives have helped shift the focus of the Club towards long term, strategic thinking, rather than becoming too caught up in day to day operational issues, which are left to the management team to oversee.
Of course, the GM role brings its fair share of daily challenges, but that is part of the joy (and the occasional pain!) of the job. One thing is for sure, it is never boring.
You sat the CCM Exam Review Course in April. How was that experience compared to “normal” training?
I thought the CCM Exam Review Course was excellent. It covered a huge amount of content in just a few short days, but that actually suited my style, as I tend to prefer a bit of focused cramming in the run-up to exams.
In the lead-up, I’d completed a practice case study that had been recommended to me by a few people. That was fantastic advice. The case study portion of the exam is really about time management, and doing a trial run helped me realise just how quickly the four hours can disappear. After that experience, I felt confident about that part of the exam, although I was still quietly hoping the case study would relate to a golf club and not a different type of facility. I had convinced myself it might be a gym, so I was brushing up on gym terminology in the final moments before sitting the exam!
The biggest benefit for me was in preparing for the multiple choice section, which was where most of my concern lay. There are certain areas of the exam that aren’t my strongest, and the review course allowed me to focus in on those, ask questions, and hear from the excellent speakers. Having that access and support during the week made a real difference.
I also really enjoyed doing the exam as part of a group. It brought a great sense of camaraderie, and gave us all the chance to unwind each evening over a meal or a drink, which helped keep things balanced.
What about your CCM journey? What will you remember the most?
Most people tend to finish with MDP Golf, but I actually started there. I just could not pass up the opportunity to visit St Andrews. While much of the educational content from that week has faded, I will always remember getting to play the Old Course with Toby. It was a great experience, the weather was kind to us, and we even managed to get a nice photo on the Swilican Bridge on the way in. That week also included some brilliant site visits, Gleneagles, the Old Course greenkeeping facilities, and the R and A Clubhouse. Each one was a benchmark in its own right and gave me a clear vision of what we aspire to at Royal Dublin.
Across the MDP pathway, the educational content was consistently strong, but for me, the real value lay in the people. Meeting industry peers, hearing about the challenges they face at their own clubs, and learning how they have tackled them has been invaluable. Being a GM can be a lonely role at times, so having a network of colleagues you can call or email for advice makes a huge difference. It is a brilliant industry to be part of, and one I genuinely enjoy.
To bookend the journey, I started with MDP Golf and finished with World Conference in Tampa. That was a phenomenal experience. I was blown away by the level of access we received as CMAE delegates. One of the standout moments for me was hearing from Jim James, Senior Director of Club and Hospitality Operations at Augusta National Golf Club. His insights and stories were both inspiring and thought provoking, and they added real depth to what was already a hugely motivating week. We also heard from some of the best in the business, including Joel Livingood, GM of Interlachen Country Club, and Betsy Gregory, Head of People and Culture at Congressional. The evening events organised by Toby and Jason were also brilliant. It was definitely a week I will not forget, and one I hope to attend again in the future.
All in all, it has been a fantastic journey, one that I have thoroughly enjoyed and one I look forward to continuing.
What’s next for you, with regards to training/certification?
I have not yet completed MDP Food and Beverage or MDP Sports and Leisure, so I hope to take those on in the coming years. I will also be keeping an eye on the International MDP, as I would really like to attend one of those at some stage.
That said, the MDP programmes do require a full week away from both work and family, which can be a challenge. I have a two year old son, and I have already travelled quite a bit over the last couple of years to complete MDP3, attend World Conference, and take part in the Review Course. So I think it is probably time to build up a few more brownie points at home and at work before heading off again.
Anything else you want to share with people thinking about becoming CCM?
I would absolutely recommend it to anyone considering the journey. Before you get started, I would encourage you to speak with the relevant people at your club to make sure you have their full support. There is time away from the club involved, and a financial commitment as well, even though the MDPs offer excellent value.
At Royal Dublin, we have always placed a strong emphasis on education. I have been fortunate to have the support of the club throughout the process, and we currently have four members of our team on the CMAE education pathway at various stages. I have no doubt that some of them will go on to achieve CCM status in the future.
If anyone everyone wants to chat about the CCM pathway I would be more than happy to speak with them to expand on my experiences.
