La Grande Mare, a new golf resort in the Channel Island of Guernsey that is scheduled to open later this year, has announced another senior appointment as it prepares for the opening of its golf course this summer.
Ben Stimson, the former director of golf at The London Golf Club in Kent, will take up the role of Managing Director in April. His appointment follows that of Golf Performance Director Sue Shapcott, who joined the team in October and oversaw the successful launch of the club’s brand new Golf Performance Centre.
Stimson boasts extensive international experience of working in premium golf environments across the UK, UAE and Saudi Arabia. Most recently at The London Golf Club, where he held overall responsibility for golf operations, member engagement, events, and service delivery across one of the UK’s most prestigious golf venues.
In his new role, Stimson will be responsible for helping to shape La Grande Mare’s golf, dining, leisure and hospitality offering across the resort. Recruitment and talent acquisition will be a key focus, ensuring teams are aligned, engaged and support La Grande Mare’s ‘Always Extraordinary’ ethos. With a strong commercial understanding of golf club operations, driving membership and brand awareness both locally and internationally will also be central to his remit.
In addition to having a degree in Professional Golf Studies, Stimson is one of a select group of professionals to have completed the PGA Director of Golf qualification. He has also undertaken the Ohio State Agronomy Management qualification, enabling him to work closely with La Grande Mare’s Course Manager, Rick Hamilton, to deliver the highest possible standards of course conditioning. In recent years, Stimson has furthered his professional development through the Club Managers Association of Europe, which focuses on strategic management and leadership, and is working towards becoming one of only a hundred Certified Club Managers in Europe in 2027.
Steve Lansdown, owner of La Grande Mare, said: “We have always been committed to developing a premium golf offering here in Guernsey by investing in excellence, and Ben’s appointment is a strong testament to that commitment. His global reputation for leading through trust and creating a culture of exceptional hospitality will be invaluable as we move through the next phases of La Grande Mare’s evolution – it’s great to have him on board.”
Stimson said: ‘I am thrilled to be joining La Grande Mare at such a key stage of the project’s development. Guernsey is a beautiful island, and it’s exciting to be part of such a milestone moment for the island’s hospitality industry. I’m looking forward to joining the local community, nurturing homegrown talent and using my expertise to help shape La Grande Mare’s reputation for delivering ‘Always Extraordinary’ experiences for every visitor.”
Steve Lansdown, founder of the Hargreaves Lansdown investment company, bought the Grande Mare Hotel in 2019 and demolished the original structure with the intention of building a world-class country club. The Golf Performance Centre, which opened last October, is the first part of the venue’s transformation, with the golf course, which is being designed by European Golf Design, set to open in August, and the country club, accommodation and wider resort expected to open in 2027.
A pre-existing golf course, a 4,761-yard, par-64 layout, is being extended to 5,400 yards and a par of 69, with every hole being remodelled tee to green. MJ Abbott is carrying out the construction work.
For more information, visit www.lagrandemare.com