Alan Holcroft has been appointed the new general manager of Canterbury Golf Club in Kent, home to a Harry Colt classic course located just outside the cathedral city.
Though this new position marks his first foray into the world of golf management, Alan’s wide-ranging leadership roles in sales, marketing, retail and hospitality over the last 25 years will stand him in very good stead given the wide range of skills required to run a golf club.
As a member of Canterbury for over eight years during which time he volunteered as board director, he has developed an excellent understanding as to how one of Kent’s most established and friendly clubs works and will give him a good insight into how he can do to further develop the offering, thanks to his previous experience working in the commercial world.
“Whilst my new role is a complete change of direction in my career, I am very much looking forward to joining the team at Canterbury and using my skill sets and commercial experience to elevate the club both on and off the course,” comments Alan, who boasts a handicap index of six, up from 15 when he first joined the club.
One of Alan’s initial objectives at Canterbury is to enhance investment in the course in order to improve the member and visitor experience and drive new revenue opportunities.
He would also like to see golfers coming from further afield to come and enjoy the Harry Colt layout that was established back in 1927 by one of the finest golf architects of the time and so is in touch with local accommodation providers to create various hotel stay and play packages.
Indeed the golf club is well placed on the outskirts of Canterbury to provide golfers with a great stop off point whilst on the way down to the famous championship links on the east Kent coast that boast three Open Championship layouts at Royal St George’s, Royal Cinque Ports and Prince’s, all within three miles of each other.
When not in the office, Alan hopes to continue his quest to further improve his golf handicap alongside his wife and youngest son who both play golf. One day he may even match his son’s handicap of just five!
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