A CLUB SECRETARY from a North-East golf club has been shortlisted for a national award.

Allison Malham, of Seaton Carew Golf Club, is among the final four named by the Golf Club Managers’ Association for the prestigious Golf Club Manager of the Year gong.

Just to have reached that stage is an achievement in itself for the recently turned 50-year-old from Hartlepool because of the thousands of clubs across the country.

The judges will visit Seaton Carew on September 29 to interview Allison and chat with members before announcing the two finalists at Fulford Golf Club in York; with the winner announced at the GCMA’s National Conference in November at Burton upon Trent.

“It’s really nice to receive some positive recognition for my work as Club Secretary,” said Allison, who has worked in her role for the last four years after three years with Macmillan Cancer Support Services.

“I don’t feel like I have done anything special. When I received news of the nomination personally from Bob Williams, CEO of the GCMA, I was so stunned and couldn’t stop smiling all week. Just to be at the stage I am is fantastic and I’m really pleased that the club has got some good publicity out of it.”

Allison was nominated for the award by the club’s former Treasurer, Jim Cockburn, and several other members. It comes at a time when Seaton Carew GC is in the process of making a number of changes.

One notable recent addition is the construction of a new six-hole course which is part of the golf club’s drive to attract more young golfers to an Academy, plus the introduction of free membership for U12s.

“The position of a Club Secretary can be a testing one and is certainly not all ‘leisure’ focused. As Club Secretary, it is my role to stay impartial, which can sometimes be very frustrating”. said Allison, a mother of five grown up children.

“When I started here at Seaton, I was the first female Club Secretary in its history, which caused some resistance but thankfully members have now accepted my role.

“However, managing the club on a day to day basis and trying to keep over 670 members happy is no mean feat!

“I really love doing what I do and, despite the stresses and strains, I’m determined to make sure that Seaton Carew Golf Club gets stronger and stronger. “Attending the GCMA’s Golf Club Managers’ residential course has certainly helped me professionally and also made me aware that the general day to day problems Golf Clubs encounter are not uncommon.”

The Seaton links is regarded as one of the country’s top 100 golf courses and Allison would love to see more visitors take advantage of opportunities to test themselves on it.

“From our Pro Cliff Jackson to Head Greenkeeper, Tony Cartwright, Catering Mark Jones plus our cleaner, Hayleigh, and their respective staff, communication is the key and we have worked together as one team since day one.” said Allison, who recently started to play the game herself.

“We recently had a lot of positive feedback from our annual Festival week which attracted more than 1000 golfers and it’s great to see golfers travel from all over the country to the North-East and play our course. We want that to continue. “I get so much job satisfaction when visitors or members come off the course happy – even if they have lost half a dozen balls!”

“We have introduced offers like two for £50 on magical Mondays, which is a great chance for visiting parties to come along at a reduced rate. All in all it is a fantastic, welcoming place which we are all proud of!”