Golf Business News – New course manager joins Lichfield following £1.2m investment

A two-year golf planting program at Lichfield Golf & Country Club has resulted in improved playing conditions and a happy membership.

Back in 2022, the Staffordshire-based club, which is part of The Club Company, committed to a two-year plan that actually works as part of a master plan created by golf artist Jonathan Gaunt. The project has been a huge success, with members and visitors greatly enjoying the improved golf courses.

The £1.2 million investment included new bunkers, drainage to existing bunkers, and infill to ensure the course design reflects the challenges of the modern game.

The club also saw major improvements to the practice facilities, introducing a Strike Shack driving range sponsored by the Toptracer Range, and a short game practice area.

Building on this success, Lichfield has recently appointed a new head of studies, Ed Beard, who, along with his team, is looking forward to contributing his views on further investment.

Ed says: “I've always had a passion for golf since I was a kid. During the summer school holidays I played every day at my local club. One of those days he was contacted by the green keeper at the time and offered me a job for the whole summer. That quickly turned into a part-time job building lodges, setting up tees, tending clubhouse gardens and low-level mowing.

“Shortly after moving to The Belfry, I'm working under Angus Maccloud and Jamie Brooks, and I'm working a lot on Brabazon courses. This is where I learned what it takes to ensure a golf course is at its peak in conjunction with important events. By learning how to use the machine I was able to understand how to bring character to holes with various cutting techniques.

“Recently, I worked in private members' courses for more than six years and worked in such a way that I reached the position of deputy head of courses. I gained a lot of experience in the operation of annual greens maintenance programs, and I was involved and influenced many construction projects at the club – from building a new structure with run offs, to a complete reconstruction of the bunkers and tees. .

“Moving to Lichfield as Course Manager has given me the opportunity to use my knowledge and experience to build on the major investment in the bathroom refurbishment program and start developing the course. With big investment comes big responsibility and there is a lot to do, but members and visitors are already seeing the difference and the feedback has been positive.”

Future plans at the club include continuing work to reduce organic matter levels just below the green to aid with profile water filtration, allowing bent grass to thrive and develop a better root system to reduce the onset of disease. The club will also use the new bunkers as the basis for the new fairway and fairways to improve playability.

There are plans to create a tree management plan, to increase the holes in the trees so that they can see from other holes, to improve the beauty of the course.