Big Plans For Slaley

May 12 2008 by The Journal

It has been three years since a European Tour event was held at Slaley Hall but the drought is about to end - there are big plans ahead for the Northumberland resort. Following the take over 18 months ago by AHG, the Chief Executive Robert Cook is a golfer and what a difference that makes!

And they have managed to entice their former Golf Course and Estates Manager Steve Cram back to Slaley Hall. Steve will be instrumental in preparing the Hunting Course for the PGA Seniors Championship taking place between 21st and 24th August.

Mark Stancer is the Golf Director at Slaley and he explained: "Robert used to be GM here, so I know him from years gone by. He has always been passionate about his golf and he's brought that passion with him. Robert with AHG backing him has a very strong ambition to bring the main European Tour back here and the target is within two years. That's the main reason for bringing Steve back, so there's an exciting future ahead."

He added: "We have held talks with the European Tour and hopefully by 2010, Slaley Hall will be hosting a main tour event.

"As for the PGA Seniors Championship, outside the British Seniors Open it is actually the biggest Seniors event on the European Seniors Tour. It is a very good championship played over four rounds with a cut on the Friday - it is definitely their showcase event."

Slaley are hoping that a number of the new stars on the tour will make an appearance. Mark said: "We are hoping Sam Torrance will be here, Sandy Lyle is another possibility and Ian Woosnam would be the icing on the cake. We will certainly have one or two US competitors as well because it has links with their US PGA Seniors Championship."

And following his three and a half year stint at Close House Golf Club, Steve is under no illusion that he has his work cut out to bring the two courses back to full championship standard.

He said: "I have to admit that it was a big decision to come back to Slaley and I did enjoy my time at Close House but at the end of the day, this is a 36 hole complex with so much potential.

"There's a lot of work to do in preparation for the seniors event. The last time a tournament was held on the Hunting was 2002, so the course does need to improve a little. A championship like this ups the game right away, yes there is a lot to do but I'm pretty sure we will get it all done and hopefully the weather will improve sooner rather than later. We have already started work on the greens and tees and there is some drainage work to be done here and there. I hope to get the Hunting back to the standard it was a few years back - the course is a true championship course and fully deserves that recognition."

This is going to be a busy year for Slaley Hall. Besides the PGA event they will be playing host to the Journal Champion of Champions, the Prince' Trust charity event in June (see Page 27) and our own Golf North East Amateur Gents Classic Final.