January 2, 2025
The CMAE is delighted to announce that Simon Fowler, Membership and Marketing Manager at Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club has gained the internationally renowned Certified Club Manager (CCM) certification.
Simon brings a wealth of experience to the club management field, with a career spanning 25 years. Over the years, he has held key positions at several esteemed clubs across the UK, including Crown Golf, Milford Golf Club, and Merrist Wood. In 2021, Simon joined Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club, where he has continued to make significant contributions to the club’s success.
Since its inception in 1965, the CCM designation has stood as a benchmark of excellence in club management. As the cornerstone of CMAE’s education programme, the certification signifies a commitment to the highest standards of professionalism and continuous development in the club industry. Recognized globally, it is a valued credential that highlights expertise and dedication in the profession of club management.
The CCM certification, awarded by the Club Management Association of Europe (CMAE), is a testament to Simon’s comprehensive knowledge and professional expertise in club management.
In this Q&A we look at Simon’s journey towards gaining his CCM
Well done on achieving the CCM, Simon Fowler. How happy are you right now?
I am absolutely delighted to have achieved the CCM certification, I made a real effort over the years to get in a position to finally sit the exam, it was a lot of hard work and dedication, which has made my achievement even more special.
You are currently working at Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club – tell us about your journey in the Club Industry:
I started my journey in golf many years ago as an assistant professional, I have thoroughly enjoyed working in the golf industry
and have always looked to take on more responsibility and as a result progressed to different roles in golf including Head Professional, Director of Golf and General Manager. I am currently the Membership and Marketing Manager at Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club in South -West London.
What about your personal CCM journey? You started 2017 in Wales on MDP 1 – what are some of the highlights?
My first experience of CMAE was MDP 1 in Wales, I hold many fond memories from that first week, the education content, course facilitators and venue were all excellent, the networking aspect of this week and all following CMAE events has been truly phenomenal.
I really got inspired following MDP 1 and was determined to carry on with this education pathway. I have enjoyed all the CMAE events, particularly MDP Food and Beverage in Marbella, this was an area of the business which I needed to improve, and this course was such a good learning experience.
I was very lucky to be awarded a Bursary in 2019, which meant I could attend MDP 3 Strategy and Leadership in Prague. This was another unmissable week.
The CMAE education pathway has been a necessary and worthwhile process, I have enjoyed learning and met many great people over the years, and most importantly has highlighted the importance of a growth mindset.
Any recommendation for people considering the MDP Pathway? Or becoming a CCM?
I would consider CMAE to be the leader in providing the education pathway for club industry professionals.
From my experience the courses are so relevant for today’s club business and really help individuals prepare themselves for the day-to-day challenges club life throws your way. The course facilitators are incredibly experienced and deliver their content so professionally. The MDP pathway is very inspirational, and the networking aspect is incredible, networking is crucial with personal and business growth, building relationships and gaining a competitive edge in the industry.
I cannot recommend the MDP pathway highly enough.
