The Club Managers Association of Europe (CMAE), the European Golf Course Owners Association (EGCOA) and the Hotelschool The Hague in The Netherlands have teamed up to develop online training courses for management staff across Europe and the Middle East.

The partnership will allow golf and club professionals access to workplace-based online learning, powered by Hotelschool The Hague, recognised as one of the world's top universities for hotel management.

Jerry Kilby, chief executive officer of the CMAE, said: "This agreement marks an important step forward in the delivery of learning and development for club managers across Europe and the Middle East.

Lodewijk Klootwijk, chief executive of the EGCOA, added: "By introducing an online learning platform, golf and club managers will be able to experience a flexible, focused and controllable platform of learning which synchronises with the ever-increasing demands of day-to-day work.

"Sharing collective knowledge via a virtual classroom approach is perfect for our widespread membership. It increases the 'corporate feel' through online discussions and meetings and helps build strong professional networks throughout Europe."

Pictured signing the landmark agreement (from left to right): Marcel Welling, chair of the EGCOA; Jerry Kilby, CEO of the CMAE and Jaap Funnekotter, general manager, HotelSchool The Hague.