Award winning manager Ian McDowell takes the reins at Redbourn Golf Club

Ian McDowell, recently recognised by the Institute of Hospitality in its ‘Aspiring Managers Awards’, has been appointed as General Manager of Redbourn Golf Club.

The 31-year-old – who was honoured at a gala presentation at the Four Seasons Hotel, Park Lane, to acknowledge the individual achievements of ambitious managers in the leisure and hospitality industry – plans to build upon Redbourn’s reputation as a golf club where everyone from beginners and families to experienced golfers can enjoy the sport.

Ian joins the club from Hoebridge Golf Centre, Woking, – both facilities are part of Burhill Golf & Leisure the UK’s leading golf course owner and operator – where he excelled as the first person appointed to the group’s Manager in Training (MiT) programme.

Of his new role Ian said: “I’m extremely excited about the job, it has come around a lot quicker than I was expecting but for the last few years I’ve felt I was able to take on a General Manager’s role. It has been one of my goals to manage a golf club and now I’m here it has made the last 10 years of hard work worthwhile.

“Redbourn has a solid membership base and a real family friendly atmosphere with everything to offer the club golfer but also those starting out in golf. We have great facilities – driving range, Par-3 Kinsbourne Course, 18-hole Ver Course and a relaxed bar/restaurant area – to take someone from absolute beginner through to established golfer.”

Ian took his first steps in golf when he took on a summer job at South Herefordshire Golf Club while he was studying Sports Psychology at the University of Glamorgan. “I soon realised that the golf environment was somewhere I enjoyed being and wanted to work in.”

Upon leaving university Ian began working at Sapey Golf Club, Worcestershire, before moving to London after accepting a role at Hampton Court Palace Golf Club. In 2006 Ian was approached by the The Wisley, Surrey, where he worked his way up to Sales and Marking Executive during fives years there.

Little over a year ago Ian was appointed to the MiT role at Hoebridge Golf Centre under the guidance of Senior General Manager Mike O’Connell, where he studied the day-to-day operations of the business.

“My experience until then had been predominantly in golf operations as well as sales and marketing, but being at Hoebridge gave me an overall picture of the business and the work involved in running a multi-million pound facility,” added Ian. “You have to learn very quickly as it’s non-stop, the MiT programme allowed me to experience management but have that safety net of great people around me to help.

“I now aim to bring all that I have learnt through the MiT programme to Redbourn, and look forward to welcoming both members and visitors to the club.”