The Club Management Association of Europe (CMAE) is proud to announce that Stuart Collier, Director of Golf at Stoke Park, has officially achieved the prestigious Certified Club Manager (CCM) designation.
With 26 years of service at Stoke Park, Stuart has been a cornerstone of one of the UK’s most iconic golf and leisure destinations. His unwavering commitment to the development of the game, the growth of his team, and the continual enhancement of the member and guest experience has made him one of the most respected golf leaders in the industry.
“This is a well-earned milestone in Stuart’s remarkable career,” said Torbjorn Johansson, CEO of CMAE. “To have dedicated over two decades to one of Europe’s most prestigious clubs, and to continue striving for professional excellence through the CCM programme, is a true testament to his leadership and passion for the industry.”
The CCM designation is the highest certification offered by CMAE and is globally recognised as the gold standard in club management. It demonstrates mastery across 11 core competencies and is earned through extensive education, experience, and a rigorous final examination.
Stuart shares his thoughts on his achievement in this exclusive Q&A:
Well done on achieving the CCM, Stuart Collier. How happy are you right now?
It’s a mixture of joy and relief, in the same measure. I am absolutely delighted to have achieved the CCM and relieved to be able to put the study material away and make the most of the forthcoming summer.
Following the temporary closure of Stoke Park at the end of 2021 for a refurbishment I wanted to capitalise on a change of working routine so sought advice from some good friends in the industry who were CCM’s and embarked on the CMAE educational pathway.
My objective was to use the downtime during our business closure constructively so whilst we were refurbishing the estate I undertook a personal upgrade to be the best version of myself I could be when we reopened!
I attended my first MDP in February 2022 and we reopened the golf course at the end of 2024 so to work my way through the programme and achieve the CCM during this period feels like a productive use of my time. I have learnt so much during this process that is continuing to help me daily and I have met so many great people along the way who continue to provide support and friendship.
You are Mr Stoke Park – for people who don’t know the place, a lot of changes have been happening lately. Please share your story on the 26 years you have been there;
Well, 26 years is a very long time to spend in any job, but Stoke Park is a very special place and it gets hold of you! I don’t think I will ever tire of pulling into the entrance and making my way up the driveway as the estate opens up in front of you, it’s truly magical.
The estate has evolved tremendously during my time from an 18-hole golf club to a 27-hole resort with golf, hotel, leisure and spa. The place has continually evolved year after year and it’s been an absolute privilege to be part of a team improving and shaping the business. Following the acquisition by Reliance Industries in 2021 and the closure of the business later that year we started another chapter in the estates development. This project is still ongoing today as we finalise our plans to significantly enhance the offering, the owners are extremely ambitious and I am looking forward to continuing to this journey together.
You sat the CCM Exam Review Course in April. How was that experience compared to “normal” training?
I had the opportunity to sit the CCM last year but heard there may be the exam review course coming so decided to hold fire and wait for this. I am so glad I took that decision to give myself the best chance of success. The course was very fast paced and an intense preparation for the exams at the end of the week. In addition to the learnings there was an intense focus amongst the group as everyone had brought their ‘game face’ with them in preparation to tackle the exams, a very different feel to a regular MDP week.
The CMAE supported by Jason Koenigsfled delivered a brilliant week with a line up of ‘Professors’ to help best prepare us for what lay ahead. I now have even more admiration for the CCM’s that made it through the process without the help of the review week. Although I will never know what the outcome may have been without the review week I can guarantee the boot-camp had me set and the best prepared I could be when the gun went off Thursday morning to start the exam.
What about your CCM journey? What will you remember the most?
It’s tough to pinpoint any specific moment along the CCM journey as my most memorable. The tutors have been first class and continue to provide support and wise council when it’s needed, the educational value has been high and provides me with tools and knowledge I use daily but the greatest value from the journey is the relationships created along the way. Having worked in the golf industry since 1991 I have created a large support network, but the CMAE family has a different mindset and outlook. Everyone is so open, supportive and genuinely willing to help each other and that is what I have found most memorable.
You are a very decent golfer – what do you prefer to do with your time away from Stoke Park?
Although the golf business is my profession I still try to keep my game in reasonable shape and play where time permits. Is there anything better than playing golf with good people on great golf courses?
For the first time in career I have been able to take weekends off over the last few years so spending two days with the family is something I value greatly. Having spent 30 years working weekends and missing out on family events, sports matches and outings has meant I now treasure the two days we have off together.
Earlier this year Matt Mayfield (GM at Harewood Downs GC) and I decided to take the plunge and start playing padel together. We have become totally hooked on the game and are playing twice per week at a local club. It’s been great to combine learning a new skill / game, meeting new people in the Club and enjoying a beer or two afterwards. I am extremely competitive (Lumina Red!) so have a slightly different outlook to Matt when we are playing which he finds greatly amusing, I am constantly shouting at myself on the court after missing another easy volley while he just smiles but it’s healthy to blow off a bit of steam!
Anything else you want to share with people thinking about becoming CCM?
Don’t delay, jump in there and go for it.
I would confess to letting work get in the way of personal and professional development so my only regret with the CMAE pathway is not starting sooner. Working towards the CCM provided me with a great focus and goal to achieving this certification.
There is always support with the CMAE family as starting out on the CCM can be daunting so ask for help and advice. That’s been of great value to me and I hope to pay it back in the future helping aspiring CCM’s with their own journey.
