By George, course rates as the best
THE Mercure George Washington Hotel has topped more than 300 UK and European golf courses for the outstanding condition of its course.
The ranking, from ‘mystery shoppers’ belonging to the PGA-approved 59 Club, puts it above the likes of big-hitters such as Gleneagles and the Belfry.
The George Washington has even trumped US President Donald Trump’s international golf course as far afield as Dubai.
Rankings for June from the 59 Club, a PGA-approved auditing company viewed by the industry as the gold standard for measuring excellence in golf, gave the George Washington a huge 94 percent for course condition - pu tting it ahead of major household names.
Ian Gray, general manager of the hotel, said: “Getting such a high score from an independent and prestigious body like the 59 Club is a landmark moment for us.
“It reflects huge credit on our head greenkeeper Mark Hornsby and his team.”
Alan Tait, the North East and Scotland representative of the 59 Club, said: “Given the brutal winter, followed by the driest summer in about 100 years, the guys have done a great job with the course.
“For the month of June, George Washington finished 0.9% ahead of the “podium set” which is our three top venues for that month.
“On seeing the course, I can see why.
“It is a truly fantastic score to be very proud of - congratulations to Mark and his team.”
For Hornsby, the recognition vindicates a decade of hard work lovingly improving the condition of the course.
He said: “From my first day here, almost 10 years ago, my biggest challenge was taking the greens from one inch of root with soil compacted over the years and little or no investment to where they are now with some seven inches of root.
“Patience has been the key as Mother Nature will not be rushed and the results have been worth the hard work in all sorts of conditions to get to where we are now.”
“It has been a huge sense of achievement for me and my team to hear the members, visitors and team players complimenting us on the course’s condition.”