Anna Darnell, 29, is a fully qualified PGA professional with over 10 years’ experience in the golf industry, and takes over this key management position with immediate effect from Declan McCollam, who has been responsible for overseeing the golf operations at the world-renowned Chandlers Cross-based venue for the past two-and-a-half years.
Darnell, who has worked at The Grove since 2005, boasts an impressive golfing pedigree, which contains teaching professional positions at some of the world’s most prestigious golf clubs, including Loch Lomond and The Royal Golf Club in Bahrain, before she switched her career ambitions from teaching to golf management.
Darnell joined The Grove six years ago, beginning her commercial career in the golf sales department, where she helped build the corporate side of the resort’s business before being appointed events manager, where, among other achievements, she played a key role in overseeing the extremely successful staging of the American Express Championship in 2006, which remains the only World Golf Championship event to be held in the UK.
Since 2007, Darnell has been golf operations manager at The Grove, ensuring high standards of service and performance were attained across all golf departments, as well as introducing a wide range of innovative new coaching programmes and competitions. The Grove operates a ‘pay-and-play’ policy on its 7,152-yard Kyle Phillips’ Championship course. Rated one of the finest inland layouts in the UK since its opening in 2003, the par 72 course has received consistently glowing reviews for the outstanding year-round quality of its playing surfaces.
Essex-born Darnell, who is married and lives in Aylesbury, said: “I joined The Grove back in 2005, and have loved every minute working here over the last six years with such a professional, dedicated and above all, fun group of people. I have learned a great deal working alongside previous Directors and Troon Golf Management, and look forward to continue taking The Grove forward and meeting the challenges that lie ahead. I hope that my PGA training and knowledge of golf from the ground level, mixed with my experience of what makes The Grove such a special place to play and to stay, will help me and my team to continue to improve The Grove’s standing in the UK and global golf market.”
The Grove – London’s Country Estate – (Conde Nast Traveller’s UK Leisure Hotel 2008) is just 18 miles from Central London, with stunning contemporary interiors and relaxed friendly service. The 7,152 yard championship golf course was designed by the distinguished international architect Kyle Philips, who combines modern game strategies with the great traditions of British golf course architecture.
The Grove www.thegrove.co.uk