Winter Golf and Bistro Secial Offer

With winter fast comming upon us, there is no need to store those clubs at the back of the garage!!

For December to February we are running a special promotion to help you keep those clubs in play throughout the year.

9 holes with a breakfast roll and a cup of coffee - £13.50

18 holes with a breakfast roll and a cup of coffee - £18.50

9 holes with a combo lunch - £15.00

18 holes with a combo lunch - £20.00

9 holes with a brekfast roll, cuppa & a combbo lunch - £18.50

18 holes with a breakfast roll, cuppa & a combo lunch - £23.50

Until the end of December we will be including free club hire.

For further information, either give us a call on 01855-811-695 or pop in for a chat.

Winter Play at the Dragons Tooth

WINTER PLAY

The Greenkeepers work hard to create a special experience for you.  Please help us all to protect and improve the course through the wet, cold winter!

·       On the Greens, pitch marks encourage disease.  PLEASE repair your pitch marks.

 ·       On the Fairways, please use tee pegs or mats (mats are available from The Club House).

 

·       If your ball plugs on the fairway, just clean it then place it to the side and play from there.

 

·       It’s especially important in winter to please repair divots.

 

·       To ensure the condition of the fairways, please refrain from using electric trolleys or hand buggies.

 

Thank you for your support.  We really don’t want to go onto Winter Greens . . . . .

For those unsure of how to repair a pitchmark, here is a quick reminder:

1. Discard the loose piece of turf taken out by the ball
2. insert the pitchmark repairer tool outside the back of the pitchmark
3. lever the turf towards the centre of the pitchmark
4. Repeat this motion from all sides of the pitchmark
5. Gently tap the repaired area with your putter.   This action stretches undamaged turf over the pitchmark, providing instant recovery.

ChemEGA Cup Winner

Last year’s winner, Rory McArthur, presenting Gordon with ChemEGA Cup.

Throughout the golfing season, we get many groups wanting to hold their own competitions here with us at The Dragons Tooth.   One such group was the Chemical Engineering Golf Association of Edinburgh University.  Despite the miserable weather we had in May, they battled through the rain with Gordon Wallace emerging as this year’s winner!

A group mug shot!

Stableford Golf Prize and Winter Events at Dragon's Tooth Golf Course, Glencoe, Fort William

The Secretary of the Dragon's Tooth Golf Club has recently sent the following note out to members of the Dragons Tooth Golf Club, at Ballachulish near Glencoe, in the Scottish Highlands.  The home of great West Coast Golf also has a vibrant local golf membership club.  Members having been enjoying a Stableford Golf Competition over recent weeks, and local golfers from as far afield as Duror, Glencoe and Fort William have been enjoying some remarkable golf at the well-loved golf course in the Highlands of Scotland.   The Stableford Golf Prize winner is shortly to be announced!

West Coast Golfers wishing to join the Club, or any of the golf social events below, should contact Terry. 

Hi Everyone,

This is to let you know that the last officially organised Monday Night Stableford will take place on 26^th September, after which there will be a prize giving for the person who has won most often. As it is getting dark earlier we will expect to send out the first groups around 5:30.

Your Committee will be running the following events over the winter and hope for your support.

29^th October: afternoon “crazy” golf match over 9 holes followed by a barbeque if is raining or an indoor buffet if it is fine!!!!

12^th November: Quiz night

10^th December:   A themed food night. (Ticketed event)

14^th January:  Quiz night

11^th February:  A themed food night. (Ticketed event)

10^th March: Quiz night

I will remind everyone nearer each event and it would be appreciated if you booked your place early so that we know numbers for catering.

Regards

Terry G 

Terry Goodwin
Secretary
Dragon's Tooth Golf Club
Tel: 01855 811 104
Mobile 07802 774 047

HOLE IN ONE!

On Saturday 14th July, Christian Christoephler, holidaying in Scotland from Germany, hit the most covated shot in golf - A HOLE IN ONE!
With only one lesson under his belt, Christian credited his glorious shot on the 7th to many hours playing golf games on his games console.
Being only the 3rd person (we know of) to get a hole in one at The Dragons Tooth Golf Course, this is quite the achievement.  Well done Christian!

Dragon's Tooth Golf Open Competition 2011

What a great Open Competition it was!  The day? - Saturday the 30th July 2011.  The weather? - sun and bright skies. The Course? - in tip-top condition.  Over 45 players teed off for the Stapleford, which ran from early morning to just before 7pm.  A full event, with a number of last-minute comers sadly turned away.  Perhaps not the prestige of the Castle Stewart Scottish Open, but a strong event that demonstrates West Coast golf at its best, and proves that Fort William has some superb golfing opportunities.

Players came from across the area, with good support from friends near and far.  The Dragon's Tooth Golf Club paid tribute to all those who had attended the event, and thanked each and every player for their active participation.

The event was led by the Dragon's Tooth Golf Club, with superb organisation clearly apparent to all.  Terry Goodwin, Club Secretary, led the organisational team and on the day, both Carol Goodwin and Kate Ward were there to meet entrants and ensure the whole competition went smoothly.

Prize Giving took place at 7pm, with an introduction from Vice Captain Bill Bryce. Awards were presented across numerous categories, and warm praise was also awarded to all those local businesses who sponsored the day.

    

Bill Bryce also paid tribute to David Lawrence, Greenkeeper and to his assistant Robert Morrison. It's their flair and dedication that has turned Dragon's Tooth Golf Course from a good 9 hole, to a truly remarkable gem of a course.

A video of the prizegiving is on facebook http://www.facebook.com/DragonsToothGolf

For more information, see content on the Dragon's Tooth Web Site at http://www.dragonstooth.co.uk/news_and_events.php

Best Golf in Scotland

Looking for the best golf in Scotland?  Well, the Ottawa East daily newspaper recently ran a feature on "Scotland - The Home of Golf" . . . . and didn't mention The Dragon's Tooth Golf Course at all?!?

http://www.emcottawaeast.ca/20110623/sports/Scotland+-+The+Home+of+Golf

Yes, it spoke of the joys of the Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie, and Muirfield but the reporter didn't sweep his eyes up the West Coast of Scotland to Oban, Fort William and rest on Ballachulish!  Or perhaps he DID, and he found something that he didn't want to let others know about.  Maybe he wants to keep the gem of The Dragon's Tooth Golf Course a secret all to himself.  It may be he loves the quiet calm, the peace of the place.  He, like others, values the ability to just turn up and play.  Maybe he loves the fantastic location, nestled at the foot of 3,000 metre mountains, with the sea almost in touching distance.  Perhaps its the challenge of the 9, demanding holes.

Whatever, when the connoisseurs of golf are in the Glencoe area of Scotland, we see them at the Dragon's Tooth Golf Course, and they are always very welcome.   

Scottish Segway Centre Opens

After the months of meetings, planning and talk about Segways and setting up The Scottish Segway Centre, it was really good to see the Segway UK van pull up the drive at Dragon’s Tooth Golf Course.  And to witness the first of the fleet of seven Segways come down the ramp.

Not only a sense of relief that something was happening at last, but also a feeling of real excitement; we were about to ride a Segway!  Eleven of us had gathered to be part of this moment, and all were eager to see a Segway first hand – and to get on one and to glide away just asap. The group comprised the three Directors of Glencoe Activities Limited (the company acquiring the Segways), plus two members of the Vertical Descents team (the company that will operate the Segways) and David Lawrence (Head Greenkeeper)/Robert Morrison (Assistant Greenkeeper), along with Fiona and Glenn from the Club House and Pete from SeaXplorer.  Pete was joined by another local, Jonny Henshaw and the two of them will hopefully become the core of a wider team of Segway Guides.

As David from Segway UK rolled the first Segway off the van, conversations dropped and the group grew quieter.  They closed in to take a closer look and then fell silent as David began his introduction.  First, a quick overview of the technical bit – not really much to say; few moving parts, lots of hi-tech wizardry and all easy and simple to maintain.  Then, on to the ride.  Well, the glide really, because “you glide a Segway .  Relax, loosen those hands, stand straight.  Press gently on the toes and the Segway goes forward.  A little pressure on the heels, and the Segway slows”. 

WOW!  What a sensation!  Stepping up on the Segway is slightly un-nerving at first, but it’s quick to get balanced and once grasped, seems to come instantly every time.  And it’s extraordinarily true, this really is “like nothing you have done before!”.   Something in between floating on air on the one hand, and sense of freedom of riding a bike on the the other.  As one glides away, with the silent platform below, there’s a feeling of liberation, anticipation and pleasure.  Somehow it bubbles up as a smile of pleasure “Ah! There’s the Segway Smile”.

We made a video of David’s first tour with us, and it’s here onYouTube.  A memento for us of the memorable arrival of Segways at the fledgling Scottish Segway Centre, and perhaps a useful introduction to those who will come to Glencoe, to experience the fun of a Segway Tour for themselves.

Highland Golf renaissance with Barclays Scottish Open Golf at Castle Stuart

It's good to see the growing excitement and hype around the upcoming Barclays Scottish Open.  Castle Stuart seem happy with the support they are getting from all quarters. Grant Sword says "The response from everyone we have approached for help in staging this event has been overwhelmingly positive" - and Castle Stuart have indeed approached lots of people, and done so much pro-active engineering behind the scenes.

Even Highland Council get strong praise for their active support!  Certainly, the recent announcement of £33k of financial support from the Council will be well received; given the likely visitor numbers, and the huge worldwide exposure, this seems a wise marketing spend.  Inverness City should benefit hugely, and the City Fathers + Councillors are working to ensure the place is smart and attractive for tall the visitors.

The event is likely to have a "wash" that spreads right across the Highlands - bringing economic benefit now, and in years to come.  And who knows, the really discerning golfers will come South to The Dragon's Tooth Golf Course www.dragonstooth.co.uk and find the hidden joys of true, rural Highland Golf that lie just south of Fort William!!

More goodies on Highland Golf Course

It was a warm welcome yesterday to new arrivals at the Dragons Tooth Golf Course on the Scottish West Coast.  Yes! skipping up the drive to this renowned Highland golf course were two electric carts.  They seemed excited to be arriving at their new home, and certainly had taken some trouble to look smart, spick and span for their arrival.

After their long trip to Lochaber, Norris and Dorris appeared a little overcome by the journey - and the impressive setting of their new home at this superb Highland golf course.  The wonderful fairways stretched away in the distance, and the glistening bunkers twinkled enticingly in the sun.  But Norris and Dorris were tired, and we pictured them resting up peacefully in their new bedroom.

These two will grace this understated and relaxed golf course near Fort William - already raising eyebrows across Scotland because of the quality of the play and the facilities on offer - and further enhance the reputation of The Outdoor Capital of the UK as the place for sport and adventure of every type.

For information on meeting Norris and Dorris, please visit www.dragonstooth.co.uk

Nature Trail Quest at Dragons Tooth Golf Course

The Dragon Monkey Nature Trail Quest moved a leap forward recently, with the arrival of an impressive sign that overviews the golf course, and the beautiful parkland trail around it.  The trail is the brainchild of Margaret Boyd, who masterminds a charitable project to encourage social interaction between the generations and in particular, engage senior citizens in the life of their local community.

There are a whole range of actions underway, but one very tangible development is this nature trail. The signpost features the wonderful gentle walks in the area, and highlights some of the natural features of the locality.  Visitors are invited to enter a challenge to identify wildlife, flora and fauna in the course of the ramble. And who knows?  There may well be a sighting of that illusive Dragon Monkey.

The last recorded sighting was in early December, when a pair of the little monkies were seen scuttling across the snowy fairways in search of shelter. They normally venture onto the course looking for stray golf balls, and seem to prize these as possessions in their lairs.

But back to the Nature Trail Quest.  The walk begins at the Club House of this renowned golf course in the Highlands of Scotland. The golf course is near Glencoe, just 12 miles south of Fort William - right in the heart to the Outdoor Capital of the UK. Once you've enjoyed a remarkably good coffee in this part of Scotland, and a fresh bacon roll, it's off for a stroll.  There's a quizz sheet to accompany the trail, and lots to do and see along the way. More details at www.dragonstooth.co.uk

Oh, and watch out for the Dragon Monkey.

Highland Golf in Scotland or Hungary . . . or both?

Not golf in Fort William this, but golf in Hungary.

Perhaps one Highland Golf Course should twin with another? But what would be the point?

Would it be like a town deciding to twin with a town in another country? For economic, social and political reasons? Glencoe Scotland, for example, was recently toying with the idea of reaching out to Glencoe America. There could be good reasons for these very different communities to "twin" - after all, one was named after the other and there are clearly some common roots.

But should a West Coast Golf Course near Fort William link with a golf course in Budapest? Well, it could be an idea. Respective members might enjoy golf breaks in each other’s territory. And the Budapest Highland Golf Course has a linked academy . . . could the Ballachulish golfers get even better with a little tuition from their European neighbours? And there's the opportunity for golf competitions and perhaps a Scottish Open followed by a Hungarian one?

There might be something to learn in social marketing for the Scots. After all, the facebook site for Highland Golf in Hungary has three times the membership of its Scottish counterpart. www.facebook.com/pages/Budapest-Highland-Golf-Club-Academy/109264872432420?sk=photos#!/pages/Budapest-Highland-Golf-Club-Academy/109264872432420?sk=info&closeTheater=1

And some of its social activities do look a little more sizzly than the things that go on off the golf greens in The Dragons Tooth Golf Course Club House near Fort William. Perhaps Scotland could import some ideas - and playmates - from Hungary? www.dragonstooth.co.uk/club_facilities.php

Well, these questions must hang for the moment. But it may just be that we should extend the hand of friendship, and go out and explore.

Segway comes to Scottish Highlands

Segway Personal Transporters are coming to the West Coast of Scotland!  A Fort William Golf Course is to introduce this novel form of travel in April, 2011.  The Dragons Tooth Golf Course recently announced the news that is has partnered with Glencoe Activities and tours for up to six people will be offered on the stunning Scottish estate near Ballachulish, in the Outdoor Capital of the UK.

Glencoe Activities is already a leader in adventure pursuits in Lochaber, and offers many of the outdoor experiences that make OCUK so famous.  "This is an important development for tourism in the Highlands of Scotland" said golf Director Laurence Young "the Segway PT's will be offered to our golfers, as well as to visitors for guided tours."  The Scottish Segway Centre will be based 10 miles South of Fort William, and is expected to entice visitors from as far afield as Glasgow, Oban and Inverness.

Vertical Descents are to manage the Segway Tours, and Director Ben Starkie said "Vertical Descents have a strong reputation for high-adrenalin adventure. Now it's time to offer something a little more gentle! Segway PT's are just amazing fun for all the family - and even grandpartents fall in love with them.  It's an experience like no other!".  Details of all the Scottish Activities offered by Vertical Descents are at
http://verticaldescents.com/verticaldescents-scotland/home/lochaber-fort-william/segway-tours/

More information at www.dragonstooth.co.uk/page.php?id=2311

Fort William Golf at the Heart of Economic Recovery

Interesting to note that the recent study stimulated by Visit Scotland, Golf Tourism Scotland, the Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, indicates that golf tourism could generate as much as £300 million in the next 10 years.  Now, this is not ALL due to developments at The Dragon's Tooth Golf Course near Fort William. www.dragonstooth.co.uk

In fact, it won't be down to only Highland Golf, although developments across the Scottish Highlands and Islands in recent years do give cause for optimism.  A lot is down to investment, and the huge improvements in the golf course near Ballachulish, very close to Glencoe, are the result of professional attention and . . . . . cash.  For example, over £25,000 has gone into a major drainage project over the last two years, and as a result this West Coast Golf Course is said to be playing better than ever.

But back to the bigger picture, where Peter Headley reports "The study, An Assessment of Golf Tourism’s Future Growth Potential to 2020, said that the economy could be boosted by as much as 30% with the aid of its home-grown sport. It said that the golf market has been quite resilient despite ongoing economic hardships in the wake of the recession, as almost four-fifths of firms surveyed projected positive growth in the coming decade.
Scottish Enterprise’s tourism director, Eddie Brogan, said that golf tourism offered great possibilities for Scotland’s economy and could give business leaders ideas for ways to maximise the potential benefits. He added however for the country to achieve the 30% growth outlined in the report that the private and public sectors would have to work together to ensure the maximum effort is given."

According to figures outlined in the report, the greatest possible growth is likely to be sourced from German, Dutch and French tourists, as well as those from newer key markets like India and China.A new study has shown that golf tourism could jump start an economic recovery in Scotland.

The full report can be found An Assessment of Golf Tourism in Scotland.

New Team at Highland Golf Course

Today's the day!  Glenn and Fiona are installing themselves in the Club House Bistro at the Dragons Tooth Golf Course near Fort William.  They are taking over the Club House operation from 1st March, and open the doors on Friday 4th with new menus, a warm welcome and the best of Highland Hospitality.

The Bistro is a busy place, and is very much at the heart of this renowned gem of a Scottish Golf Course.  Superbly set between mountains and loch, the 9 hole parkland course is located between Oban and Glencoe.  It's not just the golf that is special - visitors and locals alike enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the Club House and find the fresh coffee and free wi-fi quite compelling! Chef Glen has a repuation for using fresh highland produce and celebrates the natural cooking of Scotland.  http://www.dragonstooth.co.uk/

Why Glencoe and Dubai are so alike - great golf!

Is the KPMG's Golf Business Forum coming to Glencoe this year?  Evidently not, it's heading for the  Park Hyatt Dubai in April 2011.  I suppose the place does look a bit more impressive than the Golf Club House at another highland golf course - www.dragonstooth.co.uk/club_facilities.php . Well, never mind, this annual gathering of top brands and top golf businesses may come to the Outdoor Capital of the UK another year.  After all, OCUK and Fort William have a reputation for attracting major international events, like the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup  http://fortwilliamworldcup.co.uk

The 2011 Moutain Film Festival  www.mountainfilmfestival.co.uk is just over, and it maintains its reputation as a world-class event. 6 days of presentations, films and workshops attracting participants from across the Highlands of Scotland - and much, much further afield, too.  Some visitors even managed time out to enjoy quality golf with us in Glencoe!

Meanwhile, we're putting in a planning application for some sort of impressive concrete and glass structure to tower above the Glenachulish Mountains and our new, man-made lake at Ballachulish.  Dubai Golf, eat your heart out!

New PartnershipTees Off at Golf Course Restaurant

Something new is cooking up at The Club House on the Dragon’s Tooth Golf Course in the Outdoor Capital of the UK.  Chef Glenn Francis and business partner Fiona Keyes are taking on the operation of The Club House and, from March 2011, will be welcoming golfers and visitors alike with a broad smile and a range of mouth-watering fare.

“This is a really exciting opportunity for us” said Fiona “Glenn and I ran the successful Carnoch Restaurant in Glencoe for three years, and we now want to build on that reputation and experience.  We grew a strong local following and enjoyed giving visitors to the area a really positive experience of Scottish cooking.  The bistro here at The Dragon’s Tooth has a superb Highland setting and it’s an idyllic location for a café and restaurant”.

The new business will be run independently by Glenn and Fiona, under licence from the golf course owners, Ossian Developments Limited.  Ossian Director Colin Johnston commented “This type of collaborative arrangement is very common on golf courses – having a separate business running the club house makes great sense.  But this is also a partnership of interest, and we will be working closely with Glenn and Fiona over the years ahead, to build on the service we give to members and to visiting golfers. 

Ossian Developments acquired this renowned Lochaber golf course near Fort Willaim in 2009 and the Club House was powered in its first year by experienced caterer and local Glenachulish resident, Lisa Fettes and her energised team.  Miranda Garden took over the reins for 2010 and her positive attitude and strong contribution was marked in December 2010 by a special presentation from members of The Dragon’s Tooth Golf Club.  “It’s been a demanding 12 months” commented Miranda “and there’s never an idle moment!  I’ve really enjoyed seeing our membership grow, with more and more visitors coming to play golf or simply enjoy a great meal here.  It’s now time for me to move on and with a young son, I want to spend more time with the family.  Not to mention the horse riding . . . . .!”

Miranda’s partner is Head Greenkeeper, David Lawrence.  David said “There’s been so much progress on the greens in two years, this is almost a different course now. Quality greens go alongside a quality Club House and I’m delighted to see both sides of this business growing so well.  We have worked, and will work, in a really joined-up way so that the catering and the golf give the best welcome possible.”

More on the parkland golf course, set between Oban and Fort William at Ballachulish, and the inviting Club House, can be found at www.dragonstooth.co.uk/catering.php 

Is the winter over in Glencoe?

What do Highlander's do on those long winter evenings? Turn up the oil lamps and put more peat on the fire?

The golfers among them propably start to dream of the longer days ahead, and the relaxed enjoyment that is to come on those calm spring evenings strutting the fairways. With a catchment that stretches from Oban to Glencoe and then beyond Fort William and on round, well into Ardnamurchan, members of the Dragon's Tooth Golf Course - www.dragonstooth.co.uk - are said to be itching to swing the clubs again.  And they will not have long to wait; here we are in Lochaber in later February, and it's now light until what, 6.30pm.  If you get home from work quickly, there's time for a few holes before the dusk comes!

Yet let's not imagine that Winter is dry of golf.  On those lovely, sunny and clear winter days, there are folk out on the fairways and in fact, the course has played on Summer Tees ALL WINTER!  Golfers have come from Fort William Golf Course and Oban, to enjoy the comfort and style of the Ballachulish greens.Local's are not disuaded by rain either - it it true that some really prefer to play in a downpour?!

Weather wasn't too great for one of the Winter Competitions - The Stag's Head.  Paul Mills, one of the members of the Joint Services Training Team in Ballachulish said "We had a really good day out this year, and it's good to see the new enthusiasm for this established trophy".  David Crilley of Glenachulish organised the Cup and presented the award - and there was a drink or two in The Gathering Place Club House afterwards.

So, winter time isn't that bad after all, is it?

as sunny 

Outdoor Capital of the UK goes Dry

There's major work underway on one of the West Coast's best golf courses.  "Phase 2" of a major drainage scheme is underway this winter, to complete a project that will see water disappear from the fairways, and lead to even dryer surfaces ensuring yet better play.

Greenkeeper David Lawrence and Apprentice Rob have but on their wet weather gear and braved the winter elements as they drive forward this challenging project in true West Coast weather.  It seems that the rain wants to all fall before the project is completed, just to make a mockery of the work.  Perhaps it will now be an arid Spring!

But there's no madness on the ground; it's all method.  New routes are carefully marked for ditches, and spray paint is used to draw the intricate pattern of herringbone lines that show where the turf is to be cut, and the drainage scheme applied.

Meanwhile, on another part of the course there's a huge pile of gravel and it seems that the whole of Glensanda quarry has been dumped on our doorstep.  Once the trenches are dug, this gravel will be fed into the narrow ravines and allow water to run free.  Grassed over and then almost invisible, the web of channels work 24/7 as the precipitation is carried underground and off, into the local river.  "If done right" says David "this drainage should last for centuries".  And if you were paying the bill, you would hope so.

Scottish Golf Academy

As junior golf training grows at The Dragons Tooth Golf Course, one dream is that a Highlands Youngster will progress from West Coast golf to the Scottish Golf Academy.

We read with interest that the 2011 intake is just announced.  Entrants are invited from  golfers aged 15 and under on 1 January 2011 with a handicap limit of 10 for boys and 20 for girls.  The Academy programme provides aspiring young players with a comprehensive coaching and support programme. More at www.scottishgolf.org/go/performance/academy 

So, do we have anyone in Glencoe, Kinlochleven or Ballachulish who would like to attend?!  The course near Fort William already has a Modern Apprentice, and is keen to support all skills training.  Indeed, it was interesting to get a call the other day from the University of the Highlands and Island MI (UHI MI), where participants on a rural skills course at West Highland College asked if they could do some practical work on the Lochaber Golf Course.  Of course Head Greenkeeper David Lawrence said "yes!".

Meanwhile, plans are coming along well for the Junior Golf Training Programme for the Spring and Summer.  Four new adult trainers have kindly volunteered to attend an SGU programme, and will then support the existing group of loyal junior and youth trainers - led for a number of years Ballachulish enthusiast Charles Young. More on this in another golf blog . . . .   

"You are not alone"

It's good to see that Glencoe is not alone in it's collaborative spirit around golf!  Evidently the Golf Greenkeepers Assocation (GGA) and the British International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) have recently announced a partnership.
 
Whilst you may come to Fort William to get away from it all (enjoying peaceful golf on amazing greens at Ballachulish - where you have zero stress 'cos you just "turn up and get on") and escape from that busy world of professional golf and expensive, snooty courses, there is something in the proposed partnership.  One key stand, I think, focuses on eco-golf, and a whole new world of running golf courses in a sustainable way.  Something that IS relevant to us here in the Highlands - the last great wilderness of Europe?

With more on the partnership at
www.golfbusinessnews.com/news/courses/bigga-geo-partnership/?utm_source=Newsletter+Subscribers&utm_campaign=136500ad77-Weekly_Newsletter_January_21st_20111_21_2011&utm_medium=email

we are told that GEO and BIGGA will work together in the following areas:

• Communications – GEO and BIGGA will present new opinion and perspective through Greenkeeper International and via a new Sustainability Section at www.bigga.co.uk;
• Education – GEO and members of the GEOSA Network will contribute to national and regional seminars and workshops;
• Workplaced tools and programmes – BIGGA will promote GEO’s Self-Assessment and OnCourse™ guidance resources to help greenkeepers evaluate and forward plan their sustainability actions;
• Recognition for members – BIGGA and GEO will work together to encourage and incentivise participation in GEO Certified™.  BIGGA will also promote the achievements of GEO Certified™ golf facilities, and especially the greenkeepers and course managers that contributed to those facilities all round high sustainability performance.

Welcome Collaboration
All good wishes to those involved across Fife Golf as the Fife Golf Partnership begins to shape up.  This new and innovative alliance aims to bring people together to focus efforts on growing the market.

At an open meeting last week, over 40 people gathered to review research and proposals, prepared by leading Scottish consultants BTS.  The energetic meeting were supportive of "moving forward" to the next step.

And the Dragon's Tooth Golf Course was their at the Ladybank Golf Course, too!  Laurence Young had the slot as guest speaker, and gave an overview on the interesting partnership working and collaborations happening around the Loch at Ballachulish and Glencoe.  He paid tribute to the work of the Glencoe and Loch Leven Marketing Group ( Visit Glencoe ) - going strong for over 30 years! - and the exciting DMO, Outdoor Capital of the UK.

This West Coast Golf Course has, for example, linked with other activity providers, to produce a co-ordinated ACTIVITY MAP for visitors.

Thanks, Ladybank, for your hospitality on the day - and best wishes to our partner golf courses in Fife (it was good to meet some of our big brothers!).