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