GREENKEEPER Neil Smith is Slaley Hall’s most recent appointment, who joins as Course Manager following positions with ‘England’s leading resort’ The Belfry and Oulton Hall.
Neil, 44, who lives in Shotley Bridge leads a team of 9 greenkeepers in his new role at Slaley Hall having spent 14 years at renowned The Belfry Hotel & Resort in Sutton Coldfield and the last six years at Oulton Hall in Leeds.
Originally from Todmorden, Burnley, Neil began his career at the local school as one of its groundsmen before joining The Belfry as Trainee Greenkeeper in 1998. After mastering his craft, Neil moved to Oulton Hall in 2012 where he worked as Golf Courses & Estates Manager.
Slaley Hall head of golf Jonny Mould said: “We’re delighted to welcome Neil to the team; he brings invaluable experience with him gained from his time at The Belfry and our group’s Oulton Hall. Neil will be responsible for anything and everything that happens on a 36-hole golf course from drainage and bunker construction to grass maintenance.”
Neil added: “I’m thrilled to join Slaley Hall as its new Course Manger and am looking forward to working closely with Jonny and the team as we put our ambitious plans to work. We have two stunning championship courses with unrivalled views to maintain – I’m very excited for the changes and challenge ahead.”
Slaley Hall is home to two award-winning championship golf courses including The Hunting and The Priestman, testing both the novice beginner golfer and the seasoned golfing veteran, both with panoramic views of the Northumberland countryside.
At the start of 2018, Slaley Hall was ‘Best Golf Hotel/Resort in the North of England’ for an unprecedented fourth successive year, in the Today’s Golfer Travel Awards.
Adult season membership prices start from £375 for a points-based membership and £680 to join the Slaley Country Club. To find out more or to book your tee time, call 01434 676 554 or to enquire about the free junior memberships, email slaleygolfmemberships@qhotels.co.uk.