Macdonald Hotels & Resorts’ seven golf courses are officially exceeding quality standards according to a recent comprehensive audit brought in by Group Director of Golf, Keith Pickard.
The quarterly benchmarking audit of the golf courses, introduced in May 2015, took place again in August across five venues including Macdonald Spey Valley Golf and Country Club in Aviemore, Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa in Cheshire and Macdonald Cardrona Hotel, Golf & Spa in Peebles, with results significantly improving across the board.
Scores for each venue had increased, with the average course score in August up 13% to 70%. Macdonald Spey Valley Golf and Country Club in Aviemore came out top with an outstanding score of 79%, up some 21%.
Keith Pickard said: “Macdonald Hotels & Resorts boasts championship-quality golf courses, set in the most awe-inspiring of backdrops and that have been created by world-renowned designers. It is essential that we continuously strive not only to maintain quality standards, but also exceed them.”
With quality being key to Macdonald Hotels & Resorts’ golf provision, it was decided a benchmarking audit, focusing on set up, bunker preparation and cutting regimes, would be introduced, with the five course managers agreeing on the brand standards.
The inaugural audits took place in May and this was followed by a three month development plan that was implemented before the next round of audits in August.
Auditors agreed the three main areas of improvement included overall consistency – the cut of the grass, height and frequency standards; agronomic quality of greens – such as the soil profile, aeration, drainage and turf quality; and additional spend – identifying spend needed for training and capital expenditure.
Keith continues: “Of course, we’re delighted with the results given the hard work and dedication the employees at our venues. The audits ensure that our courses are now better than ever and continue to provide players old and new with a quality golf experience every time.”
Macdonald Hotels and Resorts www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/golf
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