Nicoll Becomes Director Of Golf At Nicklaus Designed London Golf Club
Callum Nicoll, Director of Golf at London Golf Club
New Director of Golf, Callum Nicoll, to Utilise Past Experience to Further Enhance the Golf Offering at London Golf Club in west Kent
Scot Callum Nicoll joined the London Golf Club in west Kent as Director of Golf at the start of October, following a couple of months on a temporary assignment to the club that boasts two Jack Nicklaus Design courses, The Heritage and The International.
When asked to stay on a full-time basis at one of Kent’s finest golf clubs, Callum had no hesitation in taking up the position.
“What attracted me to stay was the forward-thinking and the innovative nature of the club which ensures that there are no real barriers to anyone who would like to join as a member or come and enjoy the club, whether it be for golf or for social events,” says Callum.
“Our plans for the club for 2019 will very much focus on continuing our ‘inclusive’ policy, encouraging the community and juniors from local clubs to come and play, increasing the number and the range of golf and social events on offer and further enhancing the service levels at the club which are already very high. Our ultimate aim is to continue to provide a premium member and visitor golf experience.”
A great deal of what Callum is seeking to implement was learned during his recent role at The Els Club in Dubai and at Abu Dhabi Golf Club where each and every touch point of the golf club experience was 100% service-orientated.
“Here at the London Golf Club we pride ourselves in the service we offer. We want to continue that and further improve, keeping our brand at the top level of industry leaders”.
“We also want to be as inclusive and welcoming to the non-golfer as we are to the golfer so I’m looking to translate my experiences in the UAE where the golf club can be the centre of the community providing a very welcoming atmosphere”.
“Whilst golf, and our membership is clearly our core business, the club has successfully created more non-golf activities such as kids’ clubs, family days and social events to attract a wider audience. We are already a successful corporate and wedding venue; however, we are always looking to complement these income streams.”
Callum will also work closely with the team to enhance the retail offering in the Pro Shop, although he admits that the current offering is already at a very high level.
Callum’s experience working at the Turnberry Hotel in Scotland and The Els Club will no doubt prove useful in achieving both these aims.
In addition, Callum is looking forward to working on the 2019 Staysure PGA Seniors Championship which returns to the London Golf Club next August after its successful 2018 debut at the Kent club.
“My three years working alongside IMG on the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship will hold me in good stead for the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship as the Abu Dhabi event provided an incredible off-course offering for non-golfers as well as for golfers. I plan to translate this experience at the PGA Seniors and in particular will look to attract new grandparents and importantly their grandchildren to make it a fantastic day out for the whole family.”
London Golf Club is part of the Golf in Kent Partnership (www.golfinkent.co.uk) that promotes the county as one of England’s premier golfing destinations, thanks to the quality of its golf courses, range of great accommodation and its abundance of off-course attractions.
Moreover Kent is well placed for golfers arriving internationally via the London airports of Gatwick, Heathrow and City and can be easily accessed from Europe via the Eurotunnel and ferry port at Dover.
Indeed Kent will soon be under the golfing spotlight as Royal St George’s will once again host The Open Championship in July 2020 whilst the week before the championship links at Littlestone will stage The Junior Open.
Biography of Callum Nicoll
Callum has spent the last 7 years working in the UAE, most recently at Abu Dhabi Golf Club as Director of Golf and has now decided it is time to return to the UK. He joined the London Golf Club team on a permanent basis as Director of Golf.
Callum is a qualified PGA professional and currently holds a CMAE Club Management Diploma. He began his working career on the West coast of Scotland at Turnberry Hotel before moving on to Prestwick Golf Club to assist the Head Professional in managing the shop operation.
In 2009 he moved to the UAE to work at The Els Club, Dubai. Callum held three positions there from Retail Manager to Golf Operations Manager to Head Professional. At The Els Club and as an avid player, Callum regularly competed in the regional PGA events winning the order of merit for six consecutive years, while also having the opportunity to compete in the Dubai Desert Classic and Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship alongside then current Open Champion Ernie Els.
More recently in 2015 Callum travelled back to Abu Dhabi and worked as Director of Golf at Abu Dhabi Golf Club. There he was responsible for the golf and leisure operation at the club, which included 27 holes, night golf, and a membership of 600. From 2015 to 2018 he played host to three Abu Dhabi HSBC Championships, working alongside IMG to ensure the successful running of the event for the club.
In total Callum has over 15 years experience in the golf industry.
