Date: October 06, 2015
Author: GMA NSW

Melissa Ellis – GMA NSW Manager of the Year

The award was presented on Friday night at a dinner following the annual Captain/Presidents/General Managers Day at the Elanora Country Club.

The award recognises and acknowledges a member who has excelled in his/her position as General/Secretary Manager/Chief Executive Officer of their Golf Club during the past year, achieving goals above normal expectations.  The award carries significant industry recognition and includes an all expenses paid trip to the CMAA World Conference in San Diego in February 2016.

In receiving the award Mellisa said that as a manager you are only as good as your team.

“I have staff whose enthusiasm matches my own in making Castle Hill Country Club the very best in can be and always striving for continual improvement.  We are proud of our course.

“The golf industry is truly collegiate and other GM’s have been of great assistance. We are fortunate to have access to people at the pointy end of the business who are more than happy to make time to discuss their successes and give advice.

“GMA NSW is doing a fantastic job and every educational event just gets better. Thank you to GMA for creating this vehicle to recognise golf club managers and  I am very happy to be this year’s recipient” she said.

Melissa has been General Manager at Castle Hill Country Club for 2½ years and is the first female manager in the 65 year history of club.  She has broken down barriers and her high visibility in the clubhouse surrounds has engendered high respect by club mem
bers.

She has capitalised on the current property boom and sold surplus land to top up reserves and driven strategic planning and sought diversification projects.  Coming from a hospitality background Melissa has paved the way for high quality corporate golf days and new bistro offerings.

A well planned junior program is showing results and has driven up membership of 21-35 year olds by 130.  She also initiated a clubhouse refurbishment project and brought it in below budget.