Graham Down has been appointed the new Golf Course Manager at Brocket Hall near Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire.
Down, who will take up the position on 4 March, will oversee the management and maintenance of the estate’s two championship courses, the Melbourne and the Palmerston, named after former Prime Ministers who once resided at Brocket Hall.
“It has always been one of my career ambitions to manage a top-end golf course, and now I will be looking after two of them! I feel assured that my 20-plus years of experience in the industry will give me the confidence, knowledge and practical skills to ensure that I do the best job possible at Brocket Hall,” commented Down on his appointment.
A keen golfer, Down joins the historic Hertfordshire club from Harewood Downs Golf Club, a traditional members’ golf club founded in 1907 in the Chilterns, near Amersham, Buckinghamshire.
During his six years at Harewood Downs, Down oversaw several significant changes such as major bunker renovation alongside international golf course architects, Mackenzie & Ebert, and contractors MJ Abbott, the construction of a new short game area, an upgrade to the club’s irrigation software and the installation of a borehole to assist with course watering requirements.
His extensive experience will stand him in good stead at Brocket Hall where he will be looking after two markedly different championship golf courses established at the end of last century in the ancient parkland estate of one of England’s finest stately homes.
“I am confident in the pivotal role that I played at Harewood Downs liaising with general managers, committees/boards, contractors, consultants and most of all, the members, to ensure the smooth running of the course and its evolution, whilst at the same time producing first class playing surfaces for our members and their guests to enjoy is all fantastic experience that I can bring to Brocket Hall,” continued Down.
Down is relishing the opportunity to work on the par 72 Melbourne Course, designed by former Ryder Cup golfers Clive Clark and Peter Alliss, as well as the more technically demanding Donald Steel designed Palmerston Course.
Testament to the quality of the venue, Brocket Hall is the regular host of the Rose Ladies Open supported by Justin and Kate Rose, a premier event on the LET Access Series (LETAS), over the Melbourne Course every September.
For further information, visit brocket-hall.co.uk. For stay and play packages, email [email protected] or call +44 (0)1707 368700.
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