COURSE MANAGER

We are delighted to announce that we have found a successor to our retiring Course Manager Chris Whittle following a thorough recruitment process.

Sean McLean was the outstanding candidate from a very high standard of applicants. Sean is currently Links Superintendent at Prince’s Golf Club in Kent, a position he has held since 2013.

Originally from Edinburgh, he started his career at Craigmillar Park Golf Club, before going on his travels to America, where he served internships at Oak Hill and Southern Hills, and Australia where he worked at Huntingdale in Melbourne and Avondale in Sydney.

On his return to the UK, he worked at Archerfield, Turnberry and The Duke’s Course (St Andrews) before moving South to Prince’s originally as a Project Manager in 2009 before being promoted to his current position in 2013.

Sean has been instrumental in the improvements made by Prince’s and has a wealth of experience in managing significant construction projects whilst ensuring that fine turf is promoted, and all agronomic targets are met. He has also worked in conjunction with Natural England to ensure that the SSSI has moved from unfavourable to favourable during his stewardship. He also has excellent championship experience with the Open in 2009 and several final Open qualifiers.

Sean is an extremely enthusiastic person with all the attributes the panel considered important to take the course forward into the future. Sean is delighted and honoured to be given what he described as the opportunity of a lifetime.

Sean is 38 years old and has a long-term partner Louisa, who is originally from Cupar. They have a Labrador called Sonny. Both Sean and Louisa are excited by the prospect of relocating to the Northwest to be closer to their families.

Sean will take the reins from early October.