Golf Management Verband Deutschland e.V.

What Golf Management Verband Deutschland e.V. does

Golf Management Verband Deutschland e.V. (GMVD) is a registered professional association (eingetragener Verein) founded in 1994 that serves as the recognized Berufsverband for golf management professionals in Germany, Austria, and German-speaking Switzerland. Its membership comprises 730+ individual golf club managers, directors, and executives, alongside 90+ economic/cooperation partner companies (industry suppliers such as Husqvarna, Kress, Nexxchange, Abacus, and software/greenkeeping vendors). The association is governed by a volunteer board led by President Stefan Kirstein (since 2022), with day-to-day management by Managing Director Andreas Dorsch and a planned transition to Jochen Hornig effective August 1, 2026. GMVD operates from Baierbrunn-Buchenhain, Bavaria, with a small staff of approximately 6 employees, and runs a commercial subsidiary, GMVD Marketing GmbH, for partner and marketing activities.

The portfolio centers on the Certified Club Manager (CCM) certification program — the association's primary professional credential, administered via the gmvd-ccm.de platform with tiered levels 1-4 and continuing-education requirements — alongside the annual Golfkongress flagship congress, a network of six regional circles (NORD, OST, WEST, MITTE, SÜDWEST, SÜDOST), the golfmanager trade magazine, a sector-specific job board (Stellenmarkt), and complementary offerings such as the GMVD-Kompetenztag, Meet&Greet networking tournament, and Young Talents development program. Operational infrastructure relies on PC CADDIE for membership and tournament administration, TYPO3 CMS for web presence, Matomo for self-hosted analytics, Cloudflare CDN, Zoom for webinars, and Microsoft Forms for surveys; there is no proprietary AI/ML capability. GMVD has formal collaboration with the Deutscher Golf Verband (DGV), the national federation representing ~810 clubs and ~695,000 memberships, and participates in trade-show alliances with CMT Messe Stuttgart and planetfair.

Revenue is generated primarily through recurring annual membership dues (individual professionals and economic partners), event revenue from the Golfkongress, regional tournaments, and championship events, advertising and sponsorship associated with the golfmanager magazine, and partnership contributions from the 90+ economic partners. The pricing for individual and partner memberships is not publicly disclosed. Distribution runs through the GMVD website, the partner login portal, the six regional circles, and proprietary content channels (magazine, newsletter, social media on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube).

Name

Golf Management Verband Deutschland e.V.

Legal name

Golf Management Verband Deutschland e.V.

Website

https://gmvd.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

GMVD (Golf Management Verband Deutschland e.V.) is a German professional association founded in 1994, serving 730+ golf club managers and 90+ industry partners across Germany, Austria, and German-speaking Switzerland through CCM certification, the annual Golfkongress, regional circles, and a trade magazine.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Golf Courses & Golf Facilities (MPAKAEAD)

Keywords

• Professional association services
• Golf club management
• Professional certification programs
• Industry networking events
• Continuing education golf

Headquarters

HQ city

Baierbrunn-Buchenhain

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: GMVD generates revenue primarily through annual membership fees from its 730+ individual professional members and economic/cooperation partners. Membership types include various categories with associated fees.
2. Event Revenue: Revenue from organizing and hosting the annual Golfkongress, regional circle events, GMVD championships, seminars, and the GMVD-Kompetenztag. These events include registration fees and sponsorships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

GMVD is a registered professional association (eingetragener Verein) that provides annual memberships, the Certified Club Manager (CCM) professional certification program, continuing education, the annual Golfkongress congress, regional tournaments across six German regional circles, the GMVD-Kompetenztag innovation day, the golfmanager trade magazine, a job marketplace, and the Young Talents development program for emerging golf management professionals. Its core deliverable is the structuring and credentialing of golf club management careers in the German-speaking market, complemented by B2B networking between golf facility managers and golf industry suppliers via its 90+ economic partner program.

Product overview

GMVD operates as a professional association (e.V.) rather than a software company, offering a unified membership-based service portfolio centered on professional golf management. The core offering consists of the GMVD Membership providing access to networking, certification (Certified Club Manager/CCM), education, and industry resources. Key products include the annual Golfkongress flagship event, the golfmanager trade magazine, regional golf tournaments, and a job marketplace. The CCM certification program is the association's primary professional credentialing service, administered through the gmvd-ccm.de platform. Members receive the GMVD-Manager Package bundling publications and services. Digital services include online event registration via PC CADDIE, email newsletters, and a media library. The association is complemented by GMVD Marketing GmbH for commercial activities and maintains regional structures across six German regional circles.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• GMVD Individual Professional Membership Annual professional membership for individual golf course managers, directors, and golf management professionals in Germany, Austria, and German-speaking Switzerland. Includes access to the CCM certification program, regional circles (NORD, OST, WEST, MITTE, SÜDWEST, SÜDOST), the annual Golfkongress, the golfmanager magazine subscription, the Stellenmarkt job marketplace, and the GMVD professional network.
• Economic/Cooperation Partner Membership Annual partnership subscription for companies and organizations serving the golf industry (equipment manufacturers, software providers, service companies). Includes marketing visibility in GMVD channels, trade fair participation, access to golf club decision-makers, and co-marketing activities. Over 90 economic partners are currently active across tiered categories.
• Certified Club Manager (CCM) Certification Program Professional certification program for full-time golf management professionals in the German-speaking market, awarding the Certified Club Manager (CCM) credential in four levels based on professional experience, examination, and continuing education. CCM points are awarded for participation in qualifying events, congresses, and educational activities. Administered through the dedicated gmvd-ccm.de certification platform with graduation ceremonies.
• Young Talents Program Professional development initiative for emerging golf management talent (typically under 35 years old), offering a reduced-fee membership category with mentorship program, events community, networking activities, and a structured introduction to the golf management profession. Designed as an entry pathway toward full GMVD membership and the CCM certification.
• Golfkongress Annual Congress Annual flagship two-day congress (held in November) combining professional presentations, peer networking, the GMVD championship, award ceremonies, and a large trade fair where economic partners exhibit products and services. Serves as the premier annual gathering for the German golf management community and awards CCM continuing education points.
• Regional Golf Tournaments and Qualifiers Series of regional golf rounds, qualifier tournaments, and social events organized throughout the golf season across GMVD's six regional circles in Germany (NORD, OST, WEST, MITTE, SÜDWEST, SÜDOST). Includes the GMVD championship, Kress Masters qualifiers, and other partner-sponsored rounds, awarding CCM Verbandspunkte (association points).
• golfmanager Industry Magazine Official professional trade magazine (Fachmagazin) of GMVD published regularly, covering golf management topics, industry trends, CCM member profiles, technology, sustainability, and association news. Distributed to members and industry stakeholders as part of the membership package.
• Job Marketplace (Stellenmarkt) Online job board (Stellenmarkt) operated via the GMVD website, connecting golf clubs and industry employers with qualified candidates across six categories: golf management, golf secretariat, golf gastronomy, greenkeeping, golf professionals, and golf industry roles. Includes both job postings (Stellenangebote) and candidate profiles (Stellengesuche).
• GMVD-Manager Package Bundled subscription package of GMVD services and benefits for members, bundling publication subscriptions, event access, and member resources. Ordered separately via the dedicated GMVD-Manager Package order form by individual members seeking the consolidated offering.
• CCM Continuing Education (Fortbildungen) Ongoing professional education and training programs for CCM-certified managers to maintain certification status and earn required continuing education credits. Includes seminars, workshops, and structured Fortbildung opportunities offered by GMVD and aligned with DGV (Deutscher Golf Verband) and IST (Hochschule für Management) educational offerings.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 730 professional members served as of 2026
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Nexxchange GmbHcoreTechnology or Integration · 9 July 2026Nexxchange is a Premium Partner of GMVD, providing cloud-native club management software (Golf Suite) for golf course operators. In Germany and German-speaking Switzerland, Nexxchange operates through dedicated sales representatives (Sebastian Dhein as of July 2026). The partnership gives GMVD members access to club management technology and provides Nexxchange with access to GMVD's network of golf club decision-makers.
• Husqvarna Deutschland GmbHcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 July 2026Husqvarna is a Premium Partner of GMVD. The company sponsors DP World Tour events (BMW International Open 2026), conducts joint marketing activities with GMVD members (VIP trips to the Husqvarna British Masters), and offers promotional deals on Automower products to club managers. The partnership includes Premium Partner status and product sponsorship.
• KresscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerKress is a Premium Plus Partner of GMVD, supporting the Kress Masters tournament series (qualifiers across regional circles culminating in the annual Kress Masters finale). The partnership includes tournament sponsorship, marketing exposure, and brand visibility at GMVD events.
• go2zerominorGTM or Marketing Partnergo2zero is a GMVD partner providing E-charging infrastructure for golf clubs without upfront investment. The partnership supports GMVD's sustainability positioning while providing members with EV charging solutions. Clubs like GC Escheburg, GC An der Pinnau, GC Hamburg-Holm, Country Club Schloss Langenstein, and Golfclub Hamburg-Walddörfer have implemented the solution.
• IST Hochschule für ManagementminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIST is a GMVD Cooperation Partner (KOOP-Partner) providing educational programs for golf management professionals. IST offers dual study programs in Sportbusiness Management and Sport Science & Training, targeting GMVD members and golf clubs seeking to recruit qualified young professionals through dual education models.
• Deutscher Golf Verband e.V. (DGV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe German Golf Association (DGV) is the national governing body for golf in Germany, representing approximately 695,000 registered memberships across around 810 golf clubs. GMVD collaborates with DGV on professional development, CCM certification alignment, and joint events such as the regional GVD/GMVD-Meisterschaft tournaments.
• Sommerfeld Akademie / Sommerfeld AGminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSommerfeld Akademie is a GMVD partner providing educational content through videos, supporting professional development for golf management professionals.
• PC CADDIE (PC CADDIE://online GmbH & Co. KG)coreTechnology or IntegrationPC CADDIE is the software platform used by GMVD for member administration, tournament management, event registration, and start time reservations. The EDV system 'Mitgliederverwaltung' is powered by PC CADDIE for both GMVD e.V. members and GMVD Marketing GmbH cooperation partners.
• G.K.M.B. GmbHminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerG.K.M.B. GmbH is the agency responsible for the concept, layout, and implementation of the GMVD website. Also produces image, product, event, and instructional films through its ClubWebMan WebFilm Team.
• FACEFORCEminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFACEFORCE is a partner with product videos featured in the GMVD partner video library, serving the golf industry.
• planetfair GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development Partnerplanetfair is a private trade show organizer (founded 2002, Hamburg) operating Hanse Golf Hamburg and Golftage München. Together with CMT, planetfair and GMVD collaborate on golf industry events and professional networking in the German golf market.
• CMT (Messe Stuttgart)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCMT (Messe Stuttgart) is the world's largest public tourism and leisure trade fair. The Golftage Stuttgart (newly rebranded from Golf- und WellnessReisen, launching January 2027) is a joint platform with planetfair, positioning the CMT as a major golf platform in Germany with GMVD participation and industry relevance.
• TOPGOLF OberhausenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTOPGOLF Oberhausen hosts the annual GMVD-Kompetenztag event, providing the venue for the association's technology and innovation showcase day.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Club Managers Association of America (CMAA): The CMAA is the leading US professional association for club managers (including golf club managers), offering the Certified Club Manager (CCM) credential — a direct functional analog to GMVD's CCM program and the closest international peer in scope and structure.
• Club Managers Association of Europe (CMAE): CMAE is the European-level body serving club managers across multiple countries, including golf, with its own Certified Club Manager credential. It is a direct peer in mission (professionalizing club management) and competes for European-wide membership.

Broad incumbents

• PGA of Germany (PGA of Germany e.V.): The PGA of Germany is the professional association for golf teaching professionals in Germany. While focused on golf pros (not managers), it is the closest peer association in the German golf ecosystem, sharing member-based, certification-driven economics.
• Deutscher Golf Verband e.V. (DGV): DGV is the German national golf governing body representing ~810 clubs and ~695K registered members. It is the strategic partner and the broader industry umbrella under which GMVD operates, covering sport governance rather than management professionals specifically.

Emerging players

• Asian Golf Industry Association (AGIF): AGIF is a regional association serving the golf industry (including management professionals) across Asia. It is comparable as a peer golf industry body but operates in a different geography.

Others

• International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO): IAGTO is the global trade association for golf tourism suppliers. It is comparable as a peer golf-industry association but its focus on tour operators is adjacent rather than directly overlapping with GMVD's club management mission.

Regional players

• Swiss Golf (ASG): Swiss Golf is the national federation governing golf in Switzerland, including German-speaking regions where GMVD is already active. It is the relevant national counterpart for cross-border member and partner expansion.
• Austrian Golf Association (Österreichischer Golf-Verband): The national golf federation in Austria. GMVD already extends into Austria and German-speaking Switzerland; this peer represents the national governing body whose clubs are potential member/partner expansion targets for GMVD.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@GMVD_e.V
• Facebookfacebook.com/GolfManagementVerbandDeutschland
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/golf-management-verband-deutschland-e-v
• Instagraminstagram.com/golfmanagementverband

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Golf Management Verband Deutschland e.V.