Golfing legend Sandy Lyle has been appointed a non-executive director of Macdonald Golf Ltd., a subsidiary of Macdonald Hotels & Resorts. The appointment is part of the company’s drive to build the profile of the Macdonald Golf product across the UK.
As well as taking an active role in the development of Macdonald’s already impressive golf portfolio, Sandy is also getting involved on a more practical level, such as mentoring the company’s Golf Pros to ensure a consistently high standard of service and product is provided. He also toured the company’s venues recently, which was particularly well received largely due to his natural ability to interact with members and guests, and in 2007 will hold clinics for golfers at all levels and host events in conjunction with Macdonald Golf Management Ltd., the company that assists in managing golf events for Macdonald properties.
Macdonald Golf Ltd. currently operates nine courses for members, hotel guests, and visiting corporate and society events at its own ‘magnificent seven’ venues. These include:
- Hill Valley Hotel Golf & Country Club in Shropshire offering 36 holes of superlative play.
- Aviemore Highland Resort where Spey Valley Championship Course is considered by the world-renowned course designer, Dave Thomas, himself as his finest work to date.
- a new Macdonald hotel to open in 2007 for the 45 holes at Portal Golf & Country Club in Cheshire where the Championship Course is regarded as one of Northern Europe’s finest.
In addition, Rusacks Hotel overlooking the 18th tee of St Andrews’ Old Course, and the Marine Hotel & Spa alongside the North Berwick West Links course are more attractions of Macdonald’s coveted golf experiences along with Macdonald Cardrona, Hotel Golf & Country Club near Peebles and Macdonald Linden Hall Golf & Country Club in Northumberland.
Donald Macdonald, founding chairman of Macdonald Hotels & Resorts, said, “It is a privilege to have the endorsement of a golfer of Sandy’s standing. He is a true sporting hero who commands respect and affection across the golfing world.”
He added that Sandy’s extensive knowledge and experience would prove an invaluable asset to the company’s development of its increasingly impressive golf portfolio.
Macdonald Hotels & Resorts offers special golf breaks with discounted green fees at 27 of its 65 hotels and six resorts throughout the UK and four resorts in Spain, and controls a business with an annual turnover in the region of £250 million.
First established in 1990 by Donald Macdonald and colleagues, the company was floated in 1996. In 2003, it returned to private ownership under Mr Macdonald’s chairmanship, after securing a significant financial package from HBOS.
The Group, which is focused on the premium 4 and 5 star hotel market, has embarked on a programme of investment, refurbishing a number of properties across the country and creating new city centre hotels such as Sheffield, which opened in November 2005, and Bristol and Manchester, which will open in 2007
Macdonald Hotels www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk