Chris Dowrick Is North Foreland’s Pick To Drive Club Forward As New GM
North Foreland, one of the most highly-regarded seaside golf courses in the country, has appointed Chris Dowrick as its new general manager to enhance the club’s reputation nationally and further cement it as one of the best member clubs in Kent.
The 36-hole venue, situated on the picturesque Kent coast in Broadstairs, is looking to build on its recent success, which has seen a waiting list introduced and a growth in membership to more than 900, while maintaining the heritage and tradition which has made it so popular over the last 100 years since it was founded.
The club is steeped in history, but has adapted well to the needs of the 21st-century golfer, and has brought 36-year-old Dowrick in to drive the club forward and use his extensive knowledge of the industry, particularly in membership sales, to continue to attract the next generation.
Dowrick has had an impressive career path to date, learning his craft under the tutelage of Stuart Gillet and Gary Beves at Golf at Goodwood, before spending the last three years with Chris Fitt at Foxhills as its membership sales manager. Dowrick’s successful time at Foxhills, where he grew the annual sales headcount from 500 to 766 in three years, was capped off by winning the ‘Best Membership Sales Team’ at the 59Club awards in 2020.
Speaking about Dowrick’s appointment, North Foreland’s chairman Stuart Barr said: “We are extremely pleased that Chris is joining us at this exciting time for the club. Chris’s experience of driving revenue and managing teams to deliver exceptional customer service made him the ideal candidate to drive us forward in this new, post-COVID world.”
North Foreland’s aim is to treat every visitor who comes to experience the first-class golf course with professional hospitality as a future member of the club – an aspiration Dowrick shares.
He said: “I feel extremely fortunate to join North Foreland golf club. Its exceptional forward-thinking board – which is determined to safeguard the club’s future, but also grow its reputation and commercial opportunities – was a big attraction for me as we both share the same vision. The course is in fantastic shape and I am excited to deliver an exceptional experience for the members.
“Plus, with The Open taking place just 25 minutes away next year, I am really looking forward to showcasing this exceptional facility to many new golfers.”
North Foreland boasts two exceptional year-round golf courses – the Main Course and the Northcliffe Course – complemented by top-class clubhouse facilities to match, with the delightful Lighthouse Brasserie and Bar offering stunning views of the sea and coastline.
Renowned for its fast-running fairways and greens, along with coastal views that are amongst the best in England, the 6,436-yard, par-71 Main Course is a fantastic test for all golfers – with the open front nine holes being contrasted nicely with the tighter back nine and a mixture of strategically-placed bunkers and broad fairways.
The Northcliffe Course provides the opportunity for players to hone their short game on holes that vary in distance from 50 to 140 yards and the club is also home to excellent practice facilities and tennis courts.
