Golf Managers | Development

Development

Business Management Institute (BMI) Education Programmes

In the early 1980s, CMAA’s leaders recognized the need for a formal academic pathway for club industry professionals. They understood that managers at every stage of their careers benefit from instruction, education, and inspiration. From this vision, the concept of a “lifetime professional development program” was born.

The result was a multi-campus program offering clear career benchmarks, enabling managers to track their progress and strive for higher levels of competency—including respected certification. These on-campus programs became known as the Business Management Institute (BMI) programmes.

Certification and Recognition

A successful career in many professions is marked by ongoing professional development, verified through credible certification and recognized by peers and the public alike.

For club management, the Certified Club Manager (CCM) designation has been the hallmark of professionalism since 1965. It remains the cornerstone of CMAA’s certification program and is widely respected as a symbol of a manager’s commitment to growth and excellence.

CMAA’s certification program is a dynamic, continuing process, offering further recognition through:

Honour Society – prestigious recognition for long-term achievement
Master Club Manager (MCM) – awarded for extraordinary and lasting contributions to the profession

Oversight of the program rests with the Professional Development Committee, supported by CMAA’s Board of Directors. The Committee ensures the program evolves with the ever-changing club management environment.

Road Map to CMAA’s Certification Process

📹 Click here to view the explanatory video

Joe Perdue Certification Review Course

Recommended within one year of eligibility for the CCM exam
Designed to support exam preparation (but not replace individual study)
To sit the exam, members must file a petition with CMAA National Headquarters
An optional sixth day is available for fully qualified students to take the exam

BMI Programmes

BMI I – Club Management

A five-day, 40-hour intensive session designed for managers eager to explore the fundamentals of their profession in a practical, hands-on way.

Learning Objectives include:

Employment Law
Lumina Spark
IT Solutions for Club Managers
Cybersecurity & Risk Awareness
Management to Leadership & Delegation
Club Governance: Structure, Roles & Responsibilities
Accounting Fundamentals & Financial Operations
Club Marketing Solutions
Legal & Legislative Issues
Club Culture & Leadership
Communication with Members, Teams & Community
Reimagining DEI through Leadership & Neuroscience
Strategic Recruiting
Staff Communication

BMI II – Leadership Principles

Designed for managers seeking to strengthen leadership, management, and critical thinking skills. Suitable for rising stars through to senior executives.

BMI III – General Manager / Chief Operating Officer

Introduces and expands upon the GM/COO concept. Learn to operate your club as a business, be recognized as its leader, and master the competencies required for success.

BMI Food & Beverage Management

Provides an in-depth look at food and beverage operations from a management and control perspective.

Highlights include:

Visits to golf clubs and production facilities
Wine tasting
Beer and cheese tasting

BMI Golf Management

Includes visits to some of New Zealand’s finest clubs.

Programme features:

Classroom lectures at Remuera Golf Club
Tours of The Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club and Tara Iti and Te Arai Golf Clubs
Sessions led by experts from GMA NZ, PGA, NZGCSA, and other industry leaders

BMI International

An educational and cultural experience presented in conjunction with CMAA, designed specifically for club management professionals.

Further Development Opportunities

Once the CCM designation is achieved, managers can pursue additional recognition:

Certified Chief Executive (CCE)

Recognizes managers who successfully serve as the most senior leader in a club
Augments (but does not replace) the CCM designation

Honour Society

Membership is open to managers who achieve:

400 additional credits beyond certification (minimum 150 from CMAA/CMI-endorsed programs)
At least 10 years of professional membership
Successful completion of BMI IV or BMI V

Master Club Manager (MCM)

Awarded to managers who make extraordinary, long-lasting contributions to the club industry.

Requirements include:

CCM designation and Honour Society membership
200 additional credits beyond Honour Society (minimum 100 from CMAA/CMI-endorsed programs)
At least 12 years of professional membership
Completion of BMI IV and BMI V
Successful completion of the Master Club Manager Profile & Monograph
Presentation at the CMAA World Conference based on the Monograph