From Parkstone to the Palace
Taking his
greenkeeping skills to Denmark, Alex McCombie is embracing the challenges of maintaining the new, Nick Faldo designed, Ledreborg Palace Golf Course MAUREEN KEEPIN reports
THE Ledreborg Palace Golf Club is an impressive eighteen-hole facility set in 120 hectares of Danish countryside. It is the first Nick Faldo designed course in Denmark.
The membership of 650 has already been sold, despite the course not opening until later this year. The club has ten investors, one of whom is Peter Schmeichel, the former Manchester United and Denmark goalkeeper, who was recently back on our television showing off some fancy (ish) footwork on Strictly Come Dancing.
“My aim is to set a benchmark for the company and produce a first-class golf course,” says Alex McCombie, who took up his position as Course Manager in August 2006. “This is a big challenge, but the company really deserves a top rating, as money has been invested wisely. It is a fantastic site in a very special setting.” “The whole site is really beautiful with natural lakes and woodlands, which are
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diverse and rich in wildlife. Within the grounds are a huge number of mature trees including an impressive seven kilometre avenue of mixed deciduous trees leading up to the course.”
HAVING applied for jobs in the UK, it was a chance meeting with agronomist Bruce Jamieson at BTME, Harrogate, and a subsequent email, that made Alex broaden his horizons to consider jobs abroad.
“I had been working at Parkstone Golf Club in Dorset since 1987, most recently as Deputy Course Manager. Saying goodbye to staff and members, who are also friends, was sad but it was time for me to move on. I had been speaking to a greenkeeper friend of mine in Denmark, Ian Tomlinson, and he mentioned Ledreborg Palace. I got on the phone to the Managing Director and the next thing I knew I was on a plane to Copenhagen for an interview! They are more informal
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