De Vere courses in prime condition

De Vere Hotels & Resorts can now boast that its golf courses across the UK are in their best ever condition. The findings are a result of an auditing process which utilises the expertise of teams from across the country.

The process looks to develop the conditioning and standards of each golf course within De Vere’s portfolio by rating key areas. It is a points based system that analyses each aspect of a golf course, from greens, tees, fairways, approaches, bunkers, to the overall agronomy of the course.

Each De Vere golf course performs its own audit on a quarterly basis allowing the course manager to work with hotel staff and the resort general manager to establish an overall picture of the course conditioning.

“We have seen much more consistency and quality in the turf, despite record rainfall.”

Each course is then independently audited twice a year in collaboration with the course manager and general manager, so that any required improvements can be identified and resources allocated.

The latest audit accounted for 2014 and it ran to until the end of August. In its findings, it awarded the golf courses their highest ratings since the audit was introduced in 2009.

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As De Vere’s group golf courses & estates manager, Jim Brown, who conducts the process points out, this has highlighted the success of recent investments made across the golf courses.

“Following last year’s audit, we made significant investments across the courses, particularly with drainage,” said Brown. This is where we have seen the greatest improvements when conducting the process this year.

“This work has ensured significantly less course closures for members and guests and has also protected the courses better. We have seen much more consistency and quality in the turf, despite record rainfall throughout spring.

“We introduced the audit process five years ago and it has been hugely beneficial across the board. It allows the course managers to take a step back and look at the wider perspective. It also involves the key individuals from the hotel within the process to ensure all parties are aligned.”

No.1 De Vere resort?

Amongst the resorts to standout form the De Vere audits, was Heron’s Reach in Blackpool, which scored the highest marks of any course over the two most recent audits.

The Carrick on Loch Lomond has also seen a distinct reduction in the number of closure days following drainage investments over the past 12 months.

“There is also a league table, which adds an element of competitiveness between the resorts.”

“At the end, we produce a schedule of works to make the relevant improvements, whether that means looking at new processes, allocation of resources or possible investment,” continued Brown. “There is also a league table, which adds an element of competitiveness between the resorts.”

Visit www.DeVereGolf.co.uk for more information on the resorts within the De Vere Hotels & Resorts portfolio