CMAE Member Iain Russell has been appointed as the new club manager at East Renfrewshire Golf Club
CMAE Member Iain Russell has been appointed as the new club manager at East Renfrewshire Golf Club.
Here we caught up with him to ask him some questions about his new job.
Congrats on your new appointment Iain, what are your feelings a few weeks into the new job?
I feel privileged to be given this opportunity as club manger at such a wonderful club. I have received such a warm welcome from all the members and staff and they have made the transitional period very easy. In my first week weeks I have spent a lot of my time learning about the club and meeting many members and staff whom have given me a fantastic insight into the general running and also the history of this great club. This is never more prevalent than now as the club enters its Centenary year in 2022.
I feel honoured to be in this role as everyone connected at the club looks forward with excitement to the celebratory year.
Tell us about The East Renfrewshire Golf Club?
The club was founded on the 18th of January 1922 and the club is proud to have over 600 members with 60 of these life members whom have been with the club for over 40 years.
I am sure there will be many members enjoying a dram on the 1st tee on 18th next year to celebrate the history and rich tradition of the club.
Located to the south west of Glasgow just 15 minutes from the city centre the course is a James Braid design built on moorland with tree-lined setting and views across Glasgow to the backdrop of Ben Lomand and surrounding mountains.
The course has hosted many regional and national amateur championships over the years and has recognised members such as Craig Watson and Paul McKellar whom have both represented GB&I in the Walker Cup.
A par 70 it is officially and annually recognised as 1st in Renfrewshire by all major course rankings. The 13th Par 3 at just 123 yards is the shortest hole but is recognised as our signature hole with Ben Lomand in the back drop.
You have been your whole life in the sports industry (playing football first!) – what will you bring from that to this job?
I played professional football from the age of 16 and only this year retired to concentrate on my career with the golf club. I thoroughly enjoyed my time playing for many teams in Scotland and believe like many footballers I learned fantastic transferable skills over the last 22 years.
Throughout this time I managed to travel all over the world seeing many different countries and also meeting many different people and these experiences has shaped me into the person I am today.
I was fortunate to captain several clubs towards the latter stages of my career which enabled me to develop leadership skills that will certainly help me in this role.
I also believe having being involved in football my whole life I understand the great benefits that sport has to offer. From a physical side to mental health side golf like so many sports is a game that can be enjoyed by anyone and is a wonderful way to meet and catch up with friends whilst also keeping fit.
Before and after your round meeting friends in the clubhouse is just as important to many golfers as the round itself.
You are also a quite new member of CMAE, what has been your views so far on the education and the Tribe?
If it wasn’t for CMAE I would not be in this position I am today.
CMAE was first mentioned to me by Claire Middleton whom is a speaker on the course three years ago and from the moment I spoke to Toby I have been inspired to develop a career in this wonderful industry.
I sat MDP1 at the beginning of this year and it was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life, I met so many people on the course from club managers to course managers and golf pros to the guest speakers for that week.
I continue to keep in touch with many of these people on a daily basis whom continue to inspire me and also make me hungry to progress. I am fortunate to call many from my tribe as mentors and friends and are always on hand supporting each other as we tackle challenges together.
I am excited to be sitting MDP2 in 2022 and would encourage anyone to join the tribe and start the educational programme.
Anything else you want to add – We certainly wish You and East Renfrewshire all the best.
I would like to thank the board of directors at the club, Gordon, Cammy, Clare and Gordon along with Kevin Fish from CCL whom have all been extremely supportive through these early stages. From the initial interview through to my first month at East Ren I am grateful for the continued support shown as we all look forward to a wonderful future at the golf club.
