Royal Ascot Golf Club has promoted Andrew Brindley from pro shop assistant to assistant general manager, with fully funded training towards the Certified Club Manager (CCM) qualification.
Brindley joined the club, in the south-west corner of Windsor Great Park in Berkshire, in June 2023 with no previous experience of working in a golf club. Over the past three years he has gained experience beyond the shop floor, including golf operations and booking management.
“I spent my first year finding my feet and understanding how the club works as a members’ club,” he said. “Over time, I became more involved across the club, and it felt like the right time to step into a position with more responsibility.”
In his new role he will work across golf operations, hospitality, events, finance and strategic planning. The club says the position is designed as a career-development role, not a traditional entry-level one, combining hands-on responsibility with fully funded education through the Club Management Association of Europe (CMAE) and a structured route to the CCM qualification.
Brindley said the opportunity to learn is what excites him most. “The CCM pathway covers all aspects of club management, so while some parts will be challenging, I’m looking forward to developing new skills and broadening my experience,” he said. “The CCM qualification is hugely important. It’s recognised across the industry and provides a pathway that can open doors throughout the profession.”
He also praised the club’s approach to development. “I’ve been to places where people talk about promoting from within, but I’ve rarely seen it happen in practice,” he said. “Here, they genuinely encourage development and progression, and I’m very grateful for that.”
Stephen Nicholson, general manager at Royal Ascot, said: “Andrew has made a significant contribution to the club since joining in 2023 and has consistently demonstrated a willingness to learn and develop. His promotion reflects both his commitment and potential, and we are delighted to support him as he embarks on this next stage of his career. Investing in our people is incredibly important to us.”
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