Barnard Castle Golf Club
THE club’s growing stature in the golfing world has been confirmed with a second signing from Rockliffe.
Following last year’s arrival of professional Martyn Stubbings from the prestigious club at Hurworth, David Cuthbertson has been recruited as head greenkeeper. He has also worked at another top North-East club, Slaley Hall.
He takes over from long-serving Mike Dixon, who has stood down from the lead role but remains on the staff. The new lead assistant is local lad Andy Burrell, who returns after starting his career at the club.
Mr Cuthbertson has been a greenkeeper for 35 years since starting out at South Moor, near Stanley. As a member there, he played for the county B team.
“I left South Moor to be part of the team developing the course at Slaley Hall in the mid 90s,” he said. “I had the great honour of being part of many main and senior European Tour events.
“To have the opportunity to help at the British Opens, Ryder Cup and even do some work in France on one of the new tour venues added great knowledge and experience.
“In late 2007 I was asked to look at Rockliffe and as soon as I saw the site and looked at the plans the decision to move and be golf course and estate manager was an easy one,” he said. “Again, to have the chance to develop a very long championship course was a pleasure and an honour. The opportunity to develop another great team of greenkeepers was also very very rewarding.
“We always wanted tournament golf. It is what the course is designed for and we were delighted to host the English Seniors Open for two years. Sadly, the coronavirus took its toll and it was decided to restructure and I had to move on.”
Mr Cuthbertson added: “Now I have been given the great opportunity to work again alongside Martyn, who is a wonderful professional. We hope to develop the course to its full potential and make it one of the best in the region. I know the club is indebted to Mike for all his dedication and commitment over many years and I am so happy that he will still be a main player in the new team.”
