Meet The Team
David Valentine
David joined the professional golf ranks soon after leaving School.
After serving his apprenticeship at Didsbury Golf Club David became a fully qualifying PGA Professional in 1994.
David's career path favoured the playing side of the profession and enjoyed 5 successful years doing so.
More recently David served 11 happy years as Chorlton Golf Club as club professional. During this time David was fully committed to reducing his golf clubs costs and negotiating the very best deal available.
David understands the importance of not only reducing golf clubs operating costs (particularly during the current financial climate) but also maintaining a world class service to its members!
Phil Aitken
Phil's the third generation of his family to be associated in the golf industry, he personally brings over 26 years of experience to the company.
After playing football in South Africa, Phil started to visit golf clubs across the Uk in the mid 80's, representing and distributing brands such as Golf Pride, True Temper, Adams & Izzo to name but a few.
During this time Phil has dealt with countless numbers of PGA members Greenkeepers & Club Secretaries.
As an industry stalwart his knowledge and expertise into the complexities of running a golf club are a perfect fit for Golf Management Group Ltd.
Scott Partington
PGA Golf Professional since 1986, Scott has experienced private, public and championship golf clubs during his tenure as a Golf Professional.
Starting his career at Sale Golf Club then moving on to Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club, he has spent the last 15 years managing both Altrincham Golf Course and William Wroe Golf Course.
From April 2003 Scott was appointed Director of Golf, responsible for the whole golf operation including the grounds maintenance of the both courses, facilitating over 80,000 rounds of golf per year and gaining qualifications and experience which has proved extremely beneficial whilst developing his brainchild of Golf Management Group.
Ian Howieson
Ian has been a PGA Member since 1977 bringing a wealth of experience to the Golf Management Group stable.
The former Head Golf Professional at the prestigious Royal Automobile Club he knows the importance of reducing operating costs while providing a first class service at every golf club.
Ian stated, "Golf Clubs are run as a business today, I liked the fact that GMG have a proven track record regards improving your bottom line irrespective of your budget spend."
Philip Sparks
Philip Sparks is a qualified Golf Course Architect, having previously owned his own Golf Course and Driving Range.
Philip has all the credentials needed to assist Golf Clubs via a GMG partnership.
A PGA Professional since 1974, he has also worked at several different types of clubs from Prestigious Championship Links to nine hole members clubs, Pay & Plays and Driving Ranges.
Philip says, "I wish I had joined GMG when I owned my course as it would have not only made my business more profitable it would also have saved me huge amounts of negotiating time, seeking the best deals I could get!"
Ian Johnston
Following a successful career with Clydesdale Bank where he held a variety of senior posts in London, New York and Edinburgh, Ian became Managing Director and subsequently Chairman of TGI Ltd, currently, the most successful buying group in Europe for PGA Club professionals.
During his time with TGI, he took the group from a membership of circa 60 to a figure in excess of 400, and revolutionised an insignificant player in the golf industry into the highly respected company which it is today.
Tasked with looking after Scotland's growing GMG membership, Ian is delighted to have the opportunity to work with the team at GMG, as they share so many of the aspirations which helped him drive the growth in his previous business and in addition, he believes the GMG business model is absolutely right to help Golf Clubs meet their financial targets in a difficult business environment.
