Golf
“When I first arrived, I sat back just to see how everything operated. I think the department also needed to gain confidence in me”
“A few months later, I got news of The Belfry being bought by KSL, and that DeVere had been chosen as the management company. Not long after, whilst on holiday in Scotland, I got a call asking if I would be interested in running it. I didn’t have to think twice about it and accepted immediately. A few days later, I was invited to The Belfry to meet the new owners.” “Kenny Mackay left in February/March 2012, leaving it in the capable hands of his assistant, Jamie Brookes, and I started in August 2012. I still pinch myself, because I can’t believe I’m actually here!” “We have an excellent relationship with KSL. They come over regularly to see how things are going. We have regular board meetings and conference calls. I also deal a lot with ClubCorp, who are owned by KSL, and have a huge wealth of experience in the golf industry. They have an agronomist, Doug Miller from the USA, who comes over and supports us with agronomy, budget and capital requests.” “When I first arrived, I sat back for the first month just to see how everything operated. I think the whole department also needed to gain confidence in me. In truth, they didn’t really know who I was, so I just let them get on with it and observed everything for the first month. I just looked at everything, including staff numbers, operational challenges, timings and, most importantly, how we manage a
“I always look for good qualities in people and try and promote from within. We need to give them an
20 PC DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014
Coring the greens, along with other remedial work, has seen their condition improve
site with the huge expectations demanded from customers. We can’t have an off day; it’s every visitor’s Ryder Cup experience, so you can imagine the challenges around aeration, topdressing etc.” “There is never a dull day here. On my very first day, it was the Ryder Cup selection for 2012 in the USA so, because of our history, we had a camera crew from Sky Sports filming the longest drive champion, Joe Miller, trying to drive the 18th green from the championship tees. Unfortunately, the prevailing wind picked up and he was falling short into the lake, The producer asked him if he could drive the famous 311 yard, par 4 10th with a putter. He said ‘I’ll give it a go’, which he duly did! Welcome to The Belfry!” “The Belfry is always going to be a
‘progression place’ for greenkeepers,” continues Angus. “It looks good on your CV. We’ve had a few guys move on recently; one went to Australia, another to New Zealand and one to Oslo. But, with people moving on, it gives me a chance to get some new blood in and develop my own team.”
“I always look for good qualities in people and try and promote from within. We need to give them an opportunity which, in return, creates a culture within the department for staff to perform and show their skills in order to progress. If they see someone from the department being promoted, it encourages them and
lifts the team. This has been evident with my appointment of Jamie as my number 2. We had confidence in his abilities and he has proven his appointment. All the team have worked really well and I’m immensely proud of them.” With Angus now settled into his role, he has begun his programme of improvements. “We have got a good relationship with KSL in terms of support and budgets,” he explains. “Their vision is fantastic; they have a number of large resorts in US and have an eye for detail and know what works, and I’m excited to be a part of the future here. The hotel is currently undergoing a complete refurbishment and, once it is complete, The Belfry will be an outstanding resort.” “I am very mindful that visitors coming
to here, regardless of what course they play, expect a high standard. So, that was my priority, to get the three courses to the same level, whilst distributing the staff so that they are more equally spread. And to try and give the golfers more of a ‘Belfry’ experience. We spent the money on refurbishing seventy bunkers and key pathways and a new putting green on the Derby course.” “We have had a 10% increase in golf this
year, which is really significant,” says a delighted Angus. “But pace of play is becoming an issue and, to help overcome this, we have opened up the PGA course by redefining the rough and fairways,
opportunity to progress”
Collected cores are sent for composting
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