Fame Tate, the owner of Stanedge Golf Club and PGA Professional (pictured above) has received National recognition from the Golf Club Managers’ Association. During the Golf Club Managers’ Association two-day National Conference, held earlier in November at De Vere Cotswold Water Park, Fame received a special commendation award for her hard work in regenerating the fortunes of Stanedge Golf Club.
Fame was nominated in the category as Best Newcomer Manager of the Year along with Kerry Alligan-Sith of Redditch Golf Club, for her achievements over the past 6-8 months in taking a huge risk in acquiring Stanedge Golf Club and bringing it back from the edge of closure and extinction.
Although Kerry won the Newcomer award Fame was over the moon to be selected as one of the two finalists and receive a special commendation.
Commenting on the awards Fame explained: “I feel incredibly proud and honored to have received this commendation award, to be recognized for what we have achieved at the club in such a short space of time is incredible. A huge thankyou to everyone who has supported us, members, visitors, local businesses for hole sponsorship and our scorecard sponsors Il Mondo Travel – a massive thank you to my team at the club, I couldn’t have done it without your hard work and long hours, putting Stanedge Golf Club back on the map!!!”
“I had a strong vision in place when I purchased Stanedge Golf Club which was to break away from the traditional golf club model. Making it a venue that is welcoming, affordable, accessible, friendly and fun. A place where golfers and the general public can come and enjoy their time with us, both on and off the course.
“We have created a community and culture, breaking barriers and changing people’s perception of what a typical golf club is like. It has been more than just a vision but what the vision does. We are more than just golf.”
Fame took over Stanedge Golf Club in March 2019 and has totally transformed the place from a run-down clubhouse and golf course to a thriving facility which is an accessible, warm and welcoming place where people of all ages, gender and backgrounds can come enjoy having FUN playing the golf course or socially in the Clubhouse.
It has not been easy and Fame is quick to acknowledge the role her small team have played in making this happen. Commenting on the journey so far, Fame said “The resurrection of Stanedge Golf Club has not been easy, it really has been a monumental effort by many people who put many unsociable hours into making the club a place people now want to visit and enjoy being at he club”
“Since we acquired the club in February, we have attracted over 120 new members and many visitors in response to our various offers, with different groups getting involved in our coaching and learn to play offers.”
In explaining the outline plans for the club Fame commented: “We want to make Stanedge Golf Club a place where people feel welcome and relaxed so they may enjoy their time with us. For those who would like membership we have some fantastic introductory offers such as Family Membership (Husband, Wife & Children U17) for £950, for a family of four this equates to less than £20 per month per individual.”
“We are also keen to grow Junior golf and introduce young players to the game, at £50 per year this is less than £1 per week, I am not sure where you can get full access to sports facilities at that price with no restrictions anywhere else?”
“We will also be running regular coaching sessions for all abilities and in particular for those new to the game through our Get into Golf programme.”
We have recently launched Tyzack’s Bar at the club which is open to the public as well as members and we serve home cooked food daily, including our breakfasts, Sunday lunches and currently starting on our Christmas Fayre menu and programme of activities”
Stanedge Golf Club has some great benefits, as well as being accessible and affordable, it aims to be family focused, friendly and a fun place to be. Fame is looking forward to building on this and driving the club forward into what is a bright and exciting journey.
A round of 9 holes at Stanedge should not take more than a couple of hours and if you have time to spare afterwards you can drop into the friendly and welcoming clubhouse for refreshments, where there is a fully licensed bar and food served daily.
Fame who is a PGA professional, has a quite a year in 2019, picking up awards – to add to her commendation earlier in the year she was awarded the “Oustanding Achievement” Award at The English Women’s Awards – North, and also named as the PGA Female Assistant of the year for 2019.
Stanedge Golf Club www.stanedgegolfclub.co.uk