Strathaven Winter Blue: Course open. All temporary greens due to frost. All buggies permitted. Half way house toilets closed for winter.
In January 2023, we were very fortunate to win the category of Greenkeeping Project of the Year at the annual British Institute of Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) award ceremony in respect of our new 7th & 9th holes which were constructed over the previous 24 months.
In 2019, following discussions with the club's insurance company, we were forced to stop playing our par 4 7th hole in order to avoid golf balls entering a neighbour's garden. Head Greenkeeper Stephen Hunter suggested redesigning the hole to become a par 3 that aimed away from the adajacent property. In order to maintain the par of the course, Stephen also suggested extending the 9th hole from a par 3 to a par 4 by moving the tee back and pushing the green forwards. His vision was accepted by the management committee and the Club began a two-year, in-house project.
We are very proud of our greenkeeping team (pictured above) headed up by our long serving Head Greenkeeper, Stephen Hunter (far right).
Following the award ceremony, BIGGA published an article in their member's magazine which describes the work undertaken by the team as well as the challenges they faced along the way. This publication can be viewed below.
BIGGA Publication - March 2023
Along with a framed certificate which sits on display in our Clubhouse foyer, the Club were awarded a full course photography shoot which was undertaken by Mike Hyde of Carefree Golf in June 2023. During this shoot, the below video was created which shows the new holes in their entiriety. Thank you to Mike for producing this wonderful footage of our course