George Brown to retire as Estates Manager at Turnberry, A Luxury Collection Resort, Scotland

George Brown, Golf Courses & Estates Manager at Turnberry, A Luxury Collection Resort, Scotland, is to retire from his role following next year’s Open Championship after more than 23 years at the top of his profession. George, who will step down at the end of July 2009, will remain at Turnberry in a consultative role after his retirement and has appointed Euan Grant as his successor.   Euan joins the Turnberry team this month after previous roles as Golf Course Manager at Machrihanish Dunes and former Head Greenkeeper of The Old Course at St Andrews.     George started his career at Turnberry in January 1985 and during his time at the resort has played golf alongside Princes, Presidents, Professionals and Amateurs alike. He prides himself in ensuring Turnberry’s world famous courses are up to the very highest standard and has prepared them for numerous major tournaments over the years including six Senior British Opens, the European Ladies Team Championships, the Women’s British Open, the Scottish Amateur Stroke Play and two Open Championships.   Recognising George’s hard work and dedication to the Greenkeeping profession, the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) has recently bestowed George with a Lifetime Achievement Award. A prestigious accolade that acknowledges an individual for their lifetime of service and achievement in the game of golf, George will be only the fourth person to receive this award after Sir Michael Bonallack OBE, Walter Woods BEM and Jack McMillan MBE.   Stewart Selbie, General Manager, Turnberry comments: “George has been a loyal, professional and dedicated member of the Turnberry team and will be greatly missed. He is respected by everyone he has worked with and his hard work and passion for golf have ensured that Turnberry’s three golf courses remain in immaculate condition. I am sure that George will delight in his last challenge of ensuring that the world-famous Ailsa Course is in pristine condition to welcome the eyes of the world when The Open Championship returns to Turnberry next year. I am also confident that under George’s guidance, his successor Euan Grant will take the reins at Turnberry with the same level of passion and commitment that George has given to the resort over the past 23 years.”   David Spencer, CEO-Golf for Leisurecorp, the sports and leisure company that recently acquired Turnberry, commented: “George is a legend of Scottish golf and in many ways, the face of Turnberry. His influence on the destination is immeasurable and he will be sorely missed after so many years of dedicated service to the historical and world-class courses of Turnberry.   “His final year will be a landmark one for Turnberry so we are delighted that he will stay on to lead us through the 138th Open Championship and we will shortly reveal how we will ensure that his name is linked to Turnberry for many more years to come.”   Euan Grant, who commences his role as Golf Course Manager on 10th November 2008, will work with George in the lead-up to the 138th Open Championship that takes place at Turnberry from the 16 – 19 July 2009.  Euan joins Turnberry from Machrihanish Dunes where he has worked on the construction of the new course since April 2007. Previous to this role Euan spent three years as Head Greenkeeper at The Old Course at St Andrews working for The Links Trust.   The Turnberry Hotel is currently undergoing a multi million pound renovation project following its recent sale to Leisurecorp. The 101 year old hotel will be restored to the vision of original architect James Miller, by renowned British interior designer Mary Fox Linton and will join Starwood’s prestigious Luxury Collection portfolio of hotels when it reopens in advance of the Open Championship in July 2009.   For further information visit www.turnberryresort.co.uk