Scottish golf club manager is first recipient of Rain Bird bursary

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The general manager of Helensburgh Golf Club in Argyll & Bute is hoping to take his career, and the ambitions of his club, to new heights after being selected as the first recipient of a professional development bursary provided by global leaders in irrigation innovation, design and supply, Rain Bird, in partnership with the Golf Club Managers’ Association (GCMA).

Kevin McAleer has begun his journey along the pathway to an ASQ Level 5 diploma in golf club management, alongside 54 other club managers and aspiring managers from around the UK.

Kevin joined Helensburgh in November 2016 from the Gleddoch House Hotel and Golf Club, where he had been the director of golf and estate manager. He attained the PGA diploma in 2000 while employed at the Normandy Golf Centre, and during his time at Gleddoch spent eight years managing a soil biology programme. He was one of five applicants who made the bursary shortlist, and attended an interview day in Birmingham where he impressed the panel with his presentation on the future of the golf industry.

Alastair Higgs, Rain Bird’s district manager for golf in the UK and Ireland said: “We are delighted to be able to give Kevin this opportunity and look forward to sharing his journey. His application and insightful presentation showed him to be a positive, progressive and hands-on manager. His interest in agronomy and appreciation of its role in club management was evident, as was his commitment to his club’s commercial success, the golf industry and his ongoing learning.

“Rain Bird have been working closely with the GCMA to inform club managers of the many benefits good water management brings to their club, their golf course and the visitor experience. Offering this opportunity demonstrates our ongoing commitment to working with course and club managers to ensure that everyone involved in the game benefits from effective, efficient irrigation.”

On being selected, Kevin said: “I’m grateful to Rain Bird for their belief in me and for selecting me to receive the bursary from the shortlist of talented candidates.”