FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    
Contact: Seth Gregg
(703) 739-9500
clubfoundation@clubfoundation.org
www.cmaa.org
www.clubfoundation.org

VGM CLUB PLEDGES $150,000 TO THE CLUB FOUNDATION

Alexandria, VA — January 31, 2005 — VGM Club, a membership-based organization, which offers procurement services to members and marketing solutions to supplier partners, has pledged a $150,000 gift to The Club Foundation to be paid over six years. The Club Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, was established by the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) in 1988 with the mission of raising funds to financially support the professional development of club managers through education, training and research initiatives.

VGM representatives met with George P. Carroll, CCM, chairman, Jay DiPietro, CCM, chairman of The Foundation’s TheCampaign to Promote Excellence…Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow and Seth Gregg, senior vice president and chief development officer in October during CMAA’s annual Leadership/Legislative Conference. VGM Club, which currently counts more than 400 CMAA member-managed clubs among its own membership, illustrated its support for the club management industry with its monetary contribution to the profession.

“We are thrilled to pledge our support to The Club Foundation. The club management profession is a unique and evolving one and VGM Club is delighted to support the  development of education sessions and resources that will enrich the industry,” said D. Jay Ellis, president of VGM Club.

In 1994, Ellis was asked by Van G. Miller, CEO and founder of The VGM Group, to become president of the newly created VGM Club. Under Ellis's leadership, VGM Club has evolved from serving on-course golf professionals and golf course superintendents, to more recently, the entire club operation. VGM Club now boasts 150 suppliers and 2,500 members (representing all 50 states) and has expanded its services tenfold.

“We are grateful to have the support of VGM Club and are pleased that they recognize the value of the work of The Club Foundation. Their pledge is a significant gesture of affirmation for our mission as well as a tangible gift to the industry; it will truly have a positive impact on club managers and our industry,” said George P. Carroll, CCM, acknowledging VGM Club’s generosity.

The Club Foundation supports the advancement of the club management profession by sponsoring research, funding industry education programs, providing financial assistance to university faculty and students. Since it's inception in 1988, The Club Foundation has awarded more than $2 million in scholarships, faculty research grants, faculty internships and CMAA educational development programs.

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VGM Club's mission is to earn the respect, trust and loyalty of its members and participating suppliers by providing the highest quality service and well-researched information to enhance efficiencies and grow business. Recognizing the work environment is continually evolving and that "business as usual" is not necessarily in their members' best interests, VGM Club will continue to develop timely and relevant programs to help members and suppliers achieve maximum results.

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The Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) is the professional Association for managers of membership clubs. CMAA has more than 6,500 members who manage more than 3,000 country, city, athletic, faculty, yacht, town and military clubs. The objectives of the Association are to promote and advance friendly relations among persons connected with the management of clubs and other associations of similar character; to encourage the education and advancement of its members; to assist club officers and members, through their managers, to secure the utmost in efficient and successful operations.