Tag Archive for: Resort’

Ground-breaking resort chooses Club Car

Ground-breaking resort chooses Club Car: Club Car, the world’s largest manufacturer of small-wheel electric vehicles, has supplied a fleet of cars to Kigali Golf Resort & Villas, the first 18-hole golf facility in Rwanda.

The resort is in the centre of the Rwandan capital, Kigali, and features a new Championship course by Gary Player Design. The 65-hectare site had previously been a nine-hole course but has been reinvented into 18 new holes, plus a driving range.

Ground-breaking resort chooses Club Car

Ground-breaking resort chooses Club Car

Nathanael Pietrzak-Swirc, International Director of UGOLF, the management company for Kigali Golf Resort & Villas, said: “There were many reasons why we opted for Club Car – style, comfort, features and, most importantly, reliability. Club Car fits so well with the 5-star experience we are looking to deliver.”

Kigali Golf Resort and Villas is the first in the Rwandan government’s target of creating four golf courses in the next five years to give Rwandans and expats the chance to discover the game, as well as tap into the international golf tourism market.

With long-term ambitions of hosting tournaments, Kigali Golf Resort & Villas also boasts a new clubhouse, health club, spa and tennis club. Real estate will also be an important component, with around 150 villas planned across the development.

Nicolas Le Glas, Club Car’s Regional Sales Manager France, Middle East & Africa, added: “This is an ambitious project and we are proud to be part of the first development of this kind in Rwanda. The resort has a mix of Tempo cars which are electric, aligning well with the resort’s green strategy, and four-seater Onward vehicles, which will be used as a VIP car to let people discover the course and to transport golfers between the 12th and the 13th holes, which is quite a long walk.”

With completely customisable options – including colour, seats, storage, wheels and three programmable drive modes to maximize performance, Club Car’s Onward Passenger vehicle comes with a 4.7hp motor and 375 Amp controller as standard which deliver outstanding hill-climbing power and acceleration.

Nathanael Pietrzak-Swirc concluded: “One of our aims is to attract international travellers, particularly business people. We already have 250 members and we are aiming to have 500 within three years. The resort’s city centre location will be a major draw for people wanting to play golf during a trip.”

Club Car supplies many of the world’s leading golf destinations with its wide range of vehicles, and is an official supplier to the European Tour, the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) and St Andrews Links Trust.

For more information on Club Car visit: www.clubcar.com

For more information on Kigali Golf Resort & Villas visit: www.kigaligolf.rw

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Celtic Manor Resort hosts prestigious awards

Celtic Manor Resort hosts prestigious awards: A greenkeeper from Rudding Park Golf Club was celebrating for the second Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year competition in a row as Matthew Milligan secured the prestigious award at grand finals hosted at the Celtic Manor Resort.

Myerscough College student Matthew, 26, is First Assistant at Rudding Park, the same venue that Jason Norwood was employed at when he won the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award in 2019.

Celtic Manor Resort hosts prestigious awards

Celtic Manor Resort hosts prestigious awards

Joining Matthew in celebrating at the event was Rhian Barton, 22, of The Wisley Golf Club, who became the first woman to win the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Award since its inception in 2016.

This year the finals were hosted for the first time in the championship surroundings of the Celtic Manor Resort, host of the 2010 Ryder Cup. Director of Golf Courses and Estate Management Jim McKenzie MBE welcomed the finalists to the venue with a walk around the Twenty Ten course. Jim then spoke to the finalists about that experience and offered sage advice on how to develop their careers.

With the awards split into two separate categories once again, candidates for the Toro Young Student of the Year Award, who must be aged 21 and under when nominated, undertook an exam and then a hole walk with the awards judges, intended to test the finalists’ knowledge in a real world setting. The finalists in the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year main category also completed an exam but in addition were judged via a grass and seed identification challenge, by answering an essay question and by delivering an individual presentation about their careers so far.

The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards were introduced in 1989, with an additional ‘Young’ category introduced in 2016. The awards did not take place in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the reintroduction in 2021 enabled David Cole to participate one final time ahead of his retirement as managing director of Reesink Turfcare in spring 2022.

David said: “We knew this year’s award was going to be special. Being back after last year’s lockdown absence with a fantastic calibre of finalists in the grand setting of Celtic Manor Resort, plus a course walk around the Twenty Ten Ryder Cup course and after-dinner speech, both by Jim McKenzie MBE, made it one to remember before we’d even conducted the finals.

“All the finalists showed how much promise there is and how much there is to celebrate in the next generation of greenkeepers. So, it is a huge achievement for the winners, Matt for the main award and Rhian for the young award, to have triumphed. I know both will make sure they maximise the opportunities presented by their educational, international prizes.

“However, the event was bittersweet for me as it is my last. I am leaving Reesink this spring, but to see two such worthwhile winners and especially to see Rhian, our first ever female young finalist let alone winner, makes it the perfect one to finish on.”

BIGGA Head of Learning and Development Sami Strutt said: “I’m delighted to be able to present these awards to Matthew and Rhian at the culmination of this year’s Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards. The competition began in March with a record-breaking number of nominations and concluded over the past two days with 12 outstanding finalists who all deserve to be applauded for their knowledge, passion and dedication to the greenkeeping profession.

“The Celtic Manor Resort provided a breathtaking venue for this year’s finals and we continue to be incredibly grateful to Toro and Reesink Turfcare for providing this career-defining opportunity for our most ambitious and talented student members.”

Winners of the main award receive a Toro Scholarship that includes a turf management study course at the University of Massachusetts, a trip to the Golf Industry Show and a visit to the Toro factory. Should coronavirus restrictions prevent this, an alternative prize of equal standing will be organised.

The Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year winner receives a two-week work placement at Vidauban Golf Club in France, plus a trip to Continue to Learn at BTME.

Prizes are also given to the winners’ endorsers and the runners-up in each category, with Craig Woodman of Broadstone Golf Club and Will Pallister of Cleckheaton & District Golf Club coming second in their respective categories. For Craig it was the second time he had finished as runner-up at the awards, having also done so in the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year category in 2017.

The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards will return for 2022, with nominations opening in March next year.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Golf resort targets positive year

Golf resort targets positive year: After an unprecedented year, Modry Las Golf Resort is looking forward to a new golfing season following a string of exciting developments at Poland’s only signature-designed golf course. As well as enjoying its PGA National status and new clubhouse, the 27-hole facility has recently welcomed a new general manager and received recognition from one of Europe’s foremost golf publications teeing up what is anticipated to be an upbeat 2021.

Golf World’s latest rundown of top resorts in continental Europe included a notable new entry with Modry Las debuting in the renowned Top 100 Resorts chart alongside some of the world’s top golf destinations. The inaugural listing included a glowing review that described the Gary Player design as “fabulous” and “elegant”.

Golf resort targets positive year

Golf resort targets positive year

One of 11 new entries, Modry Las was noted as having “flair and imagination,” with the renowned publication praising the “unfussy course chalets which offer a view of the manicured fairways and greens as soon as you pull back the curtains in the morning”. Crucially, the analysis suggested Modry Las would appeal to golfers looking for “a high-calibre modern course in fabulous condition”, and went on to applaud the accommodation options. “We loved the chalets, nestled in the silence of the woodland that surrounds the course.”

Modry Las also fought off competition from around Europe to be named in the top three resorts for value – a remarkable achievement in its first listing. According to the chairman of Modry Las, the praise reflects the ongoing improvements made at the resort despite the disruption caused by Covid-19. “Even with the impact of a pandemic, we are delighted that the reputation of Modry Las continues to grow along with our determination to evolve and develop,” explained Arthur Gromadzki. “Our inclusion in Golf World’s Top 100 Resorts of Continental Europe and the appreciation for the great value we provide validates our endeavours which have already led to our PGA National status and recognition from the golf industry at the highest level.”

He continued: “Golf World’s Top 100 Resorts celebrates the very best golf destinations in Europe where the highest service standards and facilities are matched by exceptional on-course experiences. These attributes perfectly align themselves with the ethos adopted at Modry Las. It is therefore, especially gratifying to be recognised as one of Europe’s leading golf resorts by one of its foremost magazines. Saying that, Modry Las is constantly moving forward and will continue to devise ways to finesse what we do.”

As if to prove it, Gromadzki recently appointed Chris Duffy as general manager at Modry Las. With a wealth of golf club management experience honed in the UK and Qatar, Duffy was the ideal candidate for the role. “Chris is well known in the golfing world and brings a wealth of industry knowledge to Modry Las,” explained Gromadzki. “His role at Modry Las marks the next stage in the evolution of the resort.”

Duffy, who describes himself as a results-focused leader, was thrilled by the prospect of managing Poland’s top resort. “The opportunity to work with the team at Modry Las came at an ideal moment in my career,” he explained. “The resort’s international reputation made it an unmissable opportunity to apply the knowledge and experiences that I have been fortunate enough to amass at multiple venues. The team here is fantastic and the courses are stunning.”

Educated to a high level via the Club Managers Association of Europe’s training programme, Duffy also developed his skillset through his own events company working with clients such as Mercedes Benz, BMW and Qatar Airways. He also held managerial posts at Doha Golf Club and most recently Huddersfield Golf Club.

Despite his impressive resume, Duffy admits that Modry Las came as a pleasant surprise. “Modry Las is the leading golf resort in Poland and now has PGA National status,” he said. “Despite its international reputation, when I first visited Modry Las I was stunned by the quality of the courses and the new facilities which will only get better as we get further into the season. My role is to take an already excellent product and help it advance to the next level. It’s going to be an exciting year and I’m looking forward to what lies ahead.”

In 2019, Modry Las joined a distinguished collection of the world’s leading golf resorts as The PGA National Poland, becoming the country’s sole PGA branded property. This is noteworthy because the PGA restricts membership of its PGA National brand programme to one resort per country and prospective members are only approached if they offer the very best golf, leisure and accommodation. In addition, a new 2,000m2 clubhouse has been unveiled featuring 10 double bedrooms as well as the luxurious Gary Player suite bringing the total number of on-site double/twin rooms at Modry Las to 23. A new revitalising spa containing saunas, steam rooms Jacuzzis and treatment rooms will open in 2021.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Mere Golf Resort opt for ProLine H800

Mere Golf Resort opt for ProLine H800: Versatility is a long-cited reason for many Toro machinery purchases, and that’s certainly the reason for The Mere Golf Resort’s decision to opt for the ProLine H800 in its latest Toro fleet deal which sees the brand’s relationship with the club reach 30 years.

Course manager John Quinn explains: “We’ve stayed with Toro for so long because they provide the most versatile and robust machines on the market, and whatever the terrain, the performance is always excellent. That’s why we decided to look at the ProLine H800 to help tackle leaf collection across our busy parkland course.”

Mere Golf Resort opt for ProLine H800

The 18-hole, 6,882-yard, par 71 Championship course was created out of 150 acres of Cheshire parkland by James Braid in 1934. Now the surrounding mature trees provide not only considerable charm but a considerable amount of leaves to clear up!

Having been recommended the ProLine H800 and then seeing it in action, John requested a demonstration of the high-volume collector, which was organised by Cheshire Turf Machinery, and where the ProLine H800 certainly impressed.

“We have a tree lined course here, and as such we get a lot of leaves that need collecting. Particularly in winter when it’s wet, it can be a lot of work to clear up everything by hand,” says John. “We gave the ProLine the toughest test it will have here and organised the demo to take place in winter to see how it would cope in difficult conditions, and it really impressed us all.

“I’ve used a cut and collect machine before, but not one with enough capacity and power to pick up large piles of leaves, which was no issue for the ProLine. Plus, it will serve us well for core collecting after aerating and is agile enough to easily manoeuvre while cutting in and around the trees.”

The ProLine H800 is in good company in the club’s new fleet which includes five Workman GTX utility vehicles, three Reelmaster 3575-D mowers, and Greensmaster TriFlex Hybrid 3420. And the new fleet couldn’t have come at a better time with the club turning its focus this year to improving the playing surface and plant health.

“Last year was particularly trying with the weather,” says John. “This year we’re going to be doing everything we can to ensure the ultimate health and condition of the turf so no matter what conditions the weather throws at us, the turf is in the best position to cope and deliver the best play possible for our members. There was no doubt that in helping us do that would be Toro.”

And it’s not just versatility that appeals to The Mere in its enduring relationship with Toro, longevity of the machines is an attributing factor too. “We have some of our machines from the last fleet that we’re keeping,” says John. “They’re still in mint condition and working excellently, as a result we haven’t had to upgrade them which shows the value that Toro provides.”

It’s for those reasons that John “didn’t look anywhere else when renewing the fleet”. He concludes: “Obviously, I always have my eye on the market to see what’s out there, but in my heart, I knew it was always going to be Toro again to continue the good work at the club.”

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Belfry Named ‘Ultimate Golf Resort’

Belfry Named ‘Ultimate Golf Resort’: The iconic Belfry Hotel and Resort underlined its position as one of the world’s most desired golfing destinations as it was crowned ‘Ultimate Golf Resort’ at the globally-recognised 59club Service Excellence Awards.

The legendary Ryder Cup host venue in the Midlands also received the coveted Gold Flag Award for both The Brabazon and PGA National course.

Belfry Named ‘Ultimate Golf Resort’

Individuals from The Belfry Golf Team were also recognised as Jack Bowen for winning Leading Individual Golf Sales Performance, Chris Reeve was named  Golf Manager of the Year and Angus Macleod won ‘Greenkeeper of the Year’ for the second year running.

The resort received a total of 11 nominations from the 59club, which honours venues for their commitment to customer satisfaction and service excellence, scoring strongly across a number of categories. Each resort is marked independently by ‘mystery’ visitors to ensure an accurate representation of customer service, with the aim of maintaining the highest levels of exemplary service throughout the industry.

Director of Golf Chris Reeve said: “To win Ultimate Resort from 59club is an amazing achievement for everyone at The Belfry. As our performance is benchmarked there’s nowhere to hide with mystery judges, so we have to provide the best experience every day for every guest. The Ultimate Resort award demonstrates how we can provide that all round service no matter what touchpoint our golfers have across the resort.

Director of Golf Courses and Estates Angus Macleod became the first in 59club history to retain the ‘Greenkeeper of the Year’ award, underlining his reputation throughout the industry.

Macleod commented: “At The Belfry we have to produce a Ryder Cup experience every single day, no matter what. Golfers come to The Belfry expecting to follow in the footsteps of legends of the game, to play our iconic holes in the same condition that the greats of the game had.

“I am delighted with the award and it is a testament to the expert green keeping team who continue to deliver a first-class experience to our golfers. They are constantly pushing the boundaries of excellence and meeting set targets that contribute to the wider resort objectives” said Macleod. ‘’The level of detail required  in our maintenance across our three golf courses is second to none, bringing them to a standard to sit at the top of the most elite golf clubs across the globe.’’

Resort Director, James Stewart said:“It’s an honour to be named the Ultimate Golf Resort and work alongside such an outstanding team. I am very proud of everyone here who contributes daily to ensure the quality and service we provide to guests remains world class. They are all truly deserving winners.”

Set in 550 acres of countryside, The Belfry has three golf courses, luxurious guest bedrooms and suites, an award-winning club house, meeting and events rooms, restaurants and bars, as well as a Spa and Leisure  Club.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.