The practice of sound governance is the single most important controllable factor that will determine the level of success that any club organization achieves. Join us for a four-hour virtual summit that is open to all CMAC Members and their board members for a dive into best practices to establish effective governance models.
While labour shortages, the impact of tariffs, and inflation present significant current challenges, they are conditions beyond our control, and sophisticated club leaders will implement tactical operational changes to successfully navigate through these issues.
Establishing an effective governance model can be a far greater challenge as many clubs have a history of governance missteps, which can thwart an effective manager’s ability to effect positive change. We encourage managers and board leaders to seize the opportunity within their control and work toward continually improving the governance structures and policies that enable club executives to effectively lead their operations.
Join GGA Partners’ Neil Brown, CPA, CIA, CRMA, ICD.D, Michael Gregory, Liz McDowell, CCM, CPA, and Matthew Clarfield for an interactive summit designed for both managers and board leaders as they explore and address the most critical governance improvement opportunities within the control of the club organization.
GGA Partners is an international consulting firm and strategic advisor to many of the world’s most successful golf courses, private clubs, resorts, and residential communities. With a highly experienced team of professional consultants and seasoned industry executives across five global offices in Canada, Europe, and the United States, we leverage in-depth business intelligence and proprietary global data to design impactful strategic solutions and help organizations achieve lasting success.
| Neil Brown, CPA, CIA, CRMA, ICD.D | |
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Neil is Executive Director, Governance and Strategy. A CPA by background, he has spent the majority of his career in professional services. As a partner with both Arthur Andersen and Deloitte, he actively led the development and growth of each firm’s Risk Advisory practice to market leading positions. His extensive experience in governance, strategic planning, financial and risk management has been developed working with some of Canada’s most iconic organizations at the board and executive levels, across multiple industries. He has served as board chair and board member for several member-based organizations and has extensive experience in the governance and management aspects of such purpose-based organizations. Neil also brings extensive acquisition transaction experience, having led Deloitte’s acquisition of 4 businesses, adding 120 team members and $40 million of annual revenues to the firm. His experience in the club, sport and entertainment sector includes facility development, capital planning, operational excellence, and member development programs. He has worked with both local and global sport organizations and events helping them establish and continuously improve their governance activities in support of achieving their respective strategic priorities. Neil is passionate about the sport of golf and the golf industry. His participation and volunteer work for major golf events and tournaments, combined with his professional experiences, enables him to help clients live their purpose in service of their membership. |
| Michael Gregory | |
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Michael Gregory is a strategic advisor and business leader with nearly two decades of experience in Strategy and Operations consulting. As Managing Partner at GGA, he specializes in helping organizations develop and execute data-driven strategies for sustainable growth, operational excellence, and long-term success. Since joining GGA in 2007, Michael has worked with over 500 private clubs globally. His expertise spans long-range strategic planning, governance, organizational effectiveness, and executive placement, ensuring clients build high-performing teams while enhancing efficiency and resilience. A skilled communicator and strategic facilitator, Michael has helped private clubs secure member approval for multi-million-dollar capital investments. Using GGA’s proven process, he guides leadership teams in building consensus and implementing strategies that create lasting value. Recognizing that strong leadership is crucial to strategy execution, Michael leads GGA’s Leadership Advisory and Executive Search practice. He works closely with organizations to align leadership teams with their strategic vision, helping them navigate change and drive performance. Outside his consulting work, Michael contributes to the industry through active involvement with the National Club Association and Club Management Associations across North America and Europe, focusing on strategic planning, operations, and leadership development. An All-American Scholar and former Division I golfer, Michael captained Mercer University’s golf team during his senior year and remains an avid golfer today. |
| Liz McDowell, CCM, CPA | |
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Liz McDowell, a Director with GGA Partners, is an experienced executive specializing in strategic planning, corporate governance, management, operations, finance, and accounting. Liz brings a unique blend of professional services experience, professional accreditation, and private club operational experience to GGA clients. A Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA), Certified Club Manager (CCM), and seasoned private club manager with over ten years of experience operating a premier private golf club, Liz is considered to be a dynamic leader with proven success managing strong teams of stakeholders at every level. From the boardroom to the staff room, she has built genuine relationships and leveraged them to drive excellence. With a visible executive presence, Liz facilitates strong communication, teamwork and collaboration with passion and joy. In Liz’s most recent posting as the Chief Operating Officer of a premier private golf and country club, she oversaw a number of unusual and complex transactions, including a detailed forensic investigation, the sale of the Club’s land and buildings for $450M, and a series of complex post-sale decisions, including the transition from a non-profit organization to a taxable corporation, and declarations of cash and stock dividends. Liz holds an HBA from the Ivey Business School at Western University, a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) designation, and a Certified Club Manager (CCM) accreditation. Active across the club industry, Liz has served on a number of association and private club advisory boards and committees. She has delivered educational sessions and programs, been a featured speaker and panelist within the industry and served as the subject matter expert for PGA Canada’s “Finance Essentials for Golf Industry Leaders” course. Liz has also supported student CPA’s with academic mentorship through the CPA, CA designation process, and spent three seasons as an evaluator of the National CPA, CA proficiency examination, now known as the CFE. |
| Matthew Clarfield | |
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Matthew Clarfield, a Director at GGA Partners, leads strategy engagements for private clubs across North America. His work focuses on helping clients make informed, future-ready decisions, whether optimizing food and beverage performance, modernizing membership structures, navigating governance, or aligning capital planning with long-term priorities. Matt is known for combining rigorous analysis with practical insight. His strategic planning work helps clients define a clear, compelling vision, and he supports decision-making with solutions that are not only actionable but grounded in a clear understanding of financial impact. Across all engagements, his focus is on delivering measurable results and ensuring the Club’s direction is both ambitious and achievable. Before joining GGA in 2021, Matt worked at PwC, where he advised clients on performance improvement, implemented lean operating models, and supported senior leaders in driving strategic outcomes. He holds a dual HBA/JD degree from Ivey Business School and Western Law. Outside of work, he enjoys learning about golf course architecture, watching his favorite teams (Leafs, Jays, Ravens, and Wolverines), and listening to the Grateful Dead and classic country. |
CMAC Member Registration (Individual): $225 + tax
CMAC Member + Board Member(s) Registration (Groups 3+): $600 + tax
