PGA Member Alan Martin, the recently appointed Golf General Manager at The Machrie, discusses his globe-trotting career, which has taken him to a variety of management roles in Cambodia, Vietnam and Hong Kong, before returning to his native Scotland.
Alan gives his advice for PGA Members looking to work abroad, as well as discussing the value of The PGA Director of Golf qualification, which Alan has recently completed.
How did you first get into golf and what set you on a career in the golf industry?
I was fortunate that my father and grandparents all played golf, while we also had some close family friends with children my age, so the initial access and introduction to golf was a natural journey.
A career in golf was not an obvious one. I did okay as an amateur golfer, winning the St Andrews Boys Open in 2001 being my major highlight, but I wasn’t really an elite performer, and a full-time tour pro was never a serious consideration.
It wasn’t until I had a couple of years studying in Edinburgh that I realised that specialising in golf was an option, and that the PGA Training Programme was my best pathway to developing a career in a sport that I love.
What was your first job in golf?
I started out as an assistant at Dunbar Golf Club, a past Open qualifying venue, under the stewardship of Director of Golf Jacky Montgomery, who has just celebrated 25 years at the club. I was a junior member there, and at Eyemouth Golf Club, so it was a club and a region I knew very well. My dad is still an active member of both clubs, so I always try and go back for a game or two whenever I’m back home.
Two years later, in 2022, I moved out to Vietnam, to take on Golf General Manger at Vinpearl Golf Nha Trang. This was my first experience of living and working on a small Island, with multiple business elements, including hotels, villas and a theme park.
Since I first relocated, Malaysia was always my base in Asia, and in 2023 I took an advisory role with Great Century in Hong Kong, this gave me some flexibility to work from home in Kuala Lumpur while traveling monthly to the office in Hong Kong. This was my first project-based role, however, I feel my accumulation of knowledge from Scotland, combined with my varied experiences in south east Asia, made this a natural career progression.
What is the scope of the job and what does a typical working day involve?
As golf general manager I am accountable for everything golf-related, covering course maintenance, retail, driving range/academy, golf operations, the customer experience and supporting with the sales & marketing strategy.
I only started on July 1, so it’s all very new and there is certainly no set routine as yet, as we are still in exploration mode while we are busy during the summer months. My focus is planning for 2025 onwards, ensuring we have a productive winter and a clear strategy for the future.
Alan gained his Director of Golf qualification in 2024 and highlights the importance of taking up additional development opportunities through The PGA.
In addition to your PGA qualification, you’ve recently completed the PGA’s Director of Golf qualification. How do you think it’s impacted on your future career prospects?
Throughout my career I have always put experience first, then looked to back that up later through formal qualifications. In 2019 I completed the first part of the qualification (Certificate of Golf Management Theory), then, following my additional experiences as General Manager in Cambodia and Vietnam, I felt I gained significant valuable experiences, education and knowledge that the Director of Golf Qualification would help me realise.
What attracted you to undertake the Director of Golf induction process?
In the past I’ve never been that interested in additional learning or education opportunities, as I struggled to see the benefits or significant substance behind attending one-day seminars and courses. However, it was clear during the Director of Golf induction that this was something different, something that carried more weight and credibility. The fact an assessor would visit my workplace to review my role, skills, knowledge, and understanding was the deciding factor in me going forward with it.
What would your advice be to someone in a similar position to yourself who was considering doing the Director of Golf qualification?
The golf industry is highly competitive right across the world. In my current role, as a potential employer, I see the Director of Golf qualification as a logical next step for newly qualified PGA Professionals and something that would defiantly add credibility to a candidate’s CV. With busy daily operations we don’t often get the chance to reflect and document important personal development experiences for our future benefit.
How important has being a PGA Member been in the advancement of your career?
Being a PGA Member adds credibility to who we are and what we offer. Having my PGA status has given me the platform to choose my own path in golf.
What advice would you pass on to other PGA Members who may be considering working abroad?
Go for it. It’s hard to put into words, but no matter how many stories you hear or people you connect with, it will be nothing like you can ever imagine – both positive and negative. Attending the PGA International Conference is also a good starting point if you are seriously considering working abroad, as it offers you the chance to experience some travel, gain some educational experiences, and network with an array of PGA Members and industry professionals who are working or have worked all over the world.
What do you know now that you wish you’d had known when you first started out?
There are many ways and means of delivering a memorable golf experience. Keeping it simple tends to be the most effective.
To find out more about The PGA Director of Golf qualification, click here.
