Golfing News from Ian Knight

Author:
Golf and Events Director, Ian Knight
Date:
24-01-2012

As jobs go, it doesn’t get much better than being the Golf Director here at Rockliffe Hall! The course and Clubhouse are both fantastic and the positive feedback I get on a daily basis, makes all the hard work worthwhile. When I first visited the site back in the summer of 2008, it was clear that Rockliffe Hall was going to be a very special place and as the development progressed, I was not disappointed.

Ian Knight
Since we opened in July 2009, our membership has steadily grown and we now have Rockliffe Hall Golf competitions for our members on most weekends and these are always keenly contested.

I must admit that prior to opening, I thought that many people would struggle to score well here, what with all the water hazards, bunkers and the course length, it doesn't make Rockliffe Hall an easy track, but in all honesty, the vast majority of our members have improved their games, as they have been able to play many more variety of shots than on a regular course.

When we first opened, there was a misconception that you had to be a member to play at Rockliffe Hall, but this couldn't be further from the truth as we welcome day visitors and guests who take advantage of our excellent residential golf break packages and this is a part of our business that is growing month on month.

What's happening in 2012?

2012 is shaping up to be an exciting year for Golf at Rockliffe Hall. Our attached touring professional on the European Tour, Graeme Storm has been practicing hard at our Academy and out on the course throughout the winter and with the excellent conditions here at Rockliffe, I'm sure it's given him a great start and we wish him well in his first three tournaments at Abu Dhabi, Doha and Dubai. All these events are fully covered on Sky Sports, so please keep an eye on his progress.

We are again hosting the Trilby Tour this year and will also be holding the inaugural Northern Masters to find the region's top amateur player, details of this event and how to qualify will be on our web site and in the local press soon.

Over the next few months, I'll keep you up to speed with some of the exciting developments that are in the "pipe line" and also profile some of the characters that make Rockliffe Hall the special place it has become.

Good luck for the season ahead and I hope to see you at the Clubhouse very soon.

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