Canterbury Golf Club drives in 2020 with the announcement of its latest in a series of key appointments to its management team whilst also celebrating its leap up the Kent golf course rankings.
As part of a major reorganisation of resources, the club has introduced the new position of director of golf which has been filled by 41-year-old Aaron Galbraith, who has been the head professional at Sene Valley for almost six years, and in April, it will take over the running of the golf shop and golf services.
The appointment follows two additions to the club’s staff towards the end of last year.
In September, Eleanor Walton was installed as clubhouse manager to oversee the expanding food and beverage operation. She brings to the club a wealth of experience, having previously been a general manager for MyTime Active, whose portfolio included three golf clubs, and David Lloyd Leisure. Prior to that she spent 11 years as food and beverage manager at Nizels Golf & Country Club.
Two months later, Eleanor’s husband, Tony, was recruited to the Canterbury staff as head chef, boasting skills that earned him high acclaim at Langan’s in London’s Mayfair, the All England Club at Wimbledon, where he spent nine years as head chef, and in corporate catering at Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Football Clubs.
“We are establishing a team that reflects the status that we, as a club, are keen to achieve. As the club approaches full membership, the chairman and board want the best possible all-round service and facilities for our members and guests and these appointments are key to us fulfilling that aim,” commented Canterbury general manager, Roger Hyder, who is delighted with the latest appointment.
He added: “We are fortunate to have a beautiful Harry Colt-designed course and Aaron’s appointment will enable us to provide a quality experience for golfers that matches that of playing the course. Aaron will be responsible for overseeing the golf shop and golf services which includes tee starting and marshalling as well as the managing the floodlit driving range and teaching programmes.”
A former Canterbury Golf Club member and past junior captain, Galbraith said: “It’s great to come back after 25 years to take on this newly-created role. I have enjoyed my time at Sene Valley but this move gives me the opportunity to head into golf operations management, which is something I have wanted to do for some time.”
In another positive move, the course which opened for play in 1927 moved up from 17th to 13th place in the golf course rankings for Kent that were recently published by 
Top 100 Golf Courses following the improvements the raters had observed in the course conditioning. The full list can be viewed here https://www.top100golfcourses.com/golf-courses/britain-ireland/england
Hyder concluded: “As the club that is owned by the members it means that the more money we can generate, the more money we can pump back into the course.”
The club is going through an exciting period of change and improvement with several other major developments about to be launched. These include an extension to the clubhouse by local firm WW Martin and a complete refit to the golf shop by industry experts Millerbrown, who recently oversaw refits at Wentworth and Gleneagles.
Canterbury Golf Club www.canterburygolfclub.co.uk