One of BIGGA’s Master Greenkeepers is celebrating after successfully achieving Certified Club Manager Status.

Chris Lomas, formerly Golf Course Manager at The Berkshire Golf Club, is currently Secretary at Worplesdon Golf Club and becomes just the second person to achieve both the MG and CCM qualifications after Andy Campbell, reports BIGGA.

Chris began his greenkeeping career at Pleasington Golf Club near Blackburn, then after a spell at Carden Park he joined Swinley Forest Golf Club in 1995 as Deputy Head Greenkeeper. He then moved on to head the greenkeeping team at The Berkshire, and after 11 years there joined Worplesdon Golf Club as Secretary in 2010.

Chris said “I am of course very proud to have achieved this qualification, and I would be delighted if more greenkeepers were to follow this path. As secretary you effectively become the CEO of a small business and I’ve learnt so much by doing this. I’m very career focused and it’s opened a lot of doors for me. I thoroughly enjoyed greenkeeping and I really do miss working on the course, but I don’t regret changing focus.

“The CCM qualification, which has been running in America for 50 years, is now recognised throughout the world, and many organisations insist on this as a minimum requirement. I would recommend anyone who is serious about their Club Management career to consider CCM. I would like to take this opportunity to thank John Hunt and The Berkshire Golf Club, along with my Committee here at Worplesdon Golf Club for supporting me through the process.”

Chris now joins an elite band of Club Industry professionals in Europe who have achieved CCM status raising the number holding the qualification to 34.

BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton said: “Many congratulations to Chris. This is further proof that the wide range of skills acquired and demonstrated by turf managers can be transferred into other areas of management. We’re extremely proud that one of our Master Greenkeepers has achieved the CCM – well done!