Progress at GWest?

[Marty Bonnar]

Playing today on a glorious late summer day at Gleneagles Queen's, I noticed there was some activity over the fence at GWest.
There was one bloke on a ride-on cutting fairways (although is there any more soul-destroying job in green keeping than tending a golf course with no golfers?) and a couple of excavators digging channels. There's also a few new piles of topsoil lying around.
It may be only that the housing is finally getting going, but it was heartening to see something happening at last.
Any industry inside info???

F.

[Brian_Ewen]

Was under the impression they have always had greenkeepers maintaining the course, even though its not open.


http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,60099.50.html

[Tim Gallant]

Playing today on a glorious late summer day at Gleneagles Queen's, I noticed there was some activity over the fence at GWest.
There was one bloke on a ride-on cutting fairways (although is there any more soul-destroying job in green keeping than tending a golf course with no golfers?) and a couple of excavators digging channels. There's also a few new piles of topsoil lying around.
It may be only that the housing is finally getting going, but it was heartening to see something happening at last.
Any industry inside info???

F.

Martin,

I had much of the same curiosity during my round in the Queen's and asked Adam Lawrence on Twitter. Look at the thread from the middle of August.

Apparently hoping for a 2017 opening with a high-end private business model.

[Adam Lawrence]

It has always been maintained. The al-Tahir family that owns it are Scotland's richest (they also own the Highland Spring water brand among other things) so I don't think cost is a particular concern, though frankly I still think the whole thing is bizarre.


Lee Strutt, the long time course manager, got sick of maintaining a course for no golfers a couple of years ago and moved to Surrey to the RAC club last year.


I have it on good authority that they will finally open next year but I shall believe nothing until I see evidence of golfers there!

[Niall C]

Adam


Is that the al-Tahir family from the Clan al-Tahir from up Glencoe way ?


Niall

[Adam Lawrence]

Sorry al-Tajir. The head of the family was the first ambassador of the UAE to the UK in 1971 and seems basically never to have gone back to Dubai. He had previously gone to school in the UK too.

[Kyle Harris]

"although is there any more soul-destroying job in green keeping than tending a golf course with no golfers?"

Yes. Tending a golf course open to golfers. 

[Jim Sherma]

My vote for post of the year!

Kyle - I hope you are well.

"although is there any more soul-destroying job in green keeping than tending a golf course with no golfers?"

Yes. Tending a golf course open to golfers. 

[Kyle Harris]

My vote for post of the year!

Kyle - I hope you are well.

"although is there any more soul-destroying job in green keeping than tending a golf course with no golfers?"

Yes. Tending a golf course open to golfers. 

Quite well, Jim.

Hope all is well in "Central Pennsylvania," which I presume by your geography includes most of Eastern New York and Western Maryland.