Skipton Golf Club has made two key appointments as it gets back into full swing both on the course and in the clubhouse. Karen Chapman has taken over Golf Manager and Angus Wilson as Clubhouse Manager.

Bradford-born Karen is actually making a welcome return to the club after serving as Business Manager from 2004-2008 while living in Steeton. Seeking warmer climes, she then spent ten years in Mallorca, initially running her own bar in Magaluf, later working in a major holiday complex.

Karen came back to the UK in October, 2018, doing freelance work on post-production scripts for a local tv company, before teeing up a return to Skipton Golf Club, where she is responsible for all aspects of the golf side of the business, driving forward both membership and visitor growth, promotion, and marketing, and other service level improvements. “My mission is to ensure both members and visitors enjoy their time at the club,” said Karen.

Angus Wilson, 23, arrives from both a hospitality and golfing background, initially gaining valuable across-the-board experience at a golf club run by his father near Nantes in France. He moved back to the UK five years ago, joining the front of house team in the Keelham Kitchen restaurant at Keelham Farm Shop in Skipton and progressing to become assistant manager.

“Now that things are thankfully opening up more, I am really looking forward to getting the club’s hospitality offering fully up and running, catering for members, visitors and non-members alike,” said Angus, who himself plays golf and in the clubhouse is supported by a team that includes chef, Andrew Noller, and bar supervisor, Natasha Rothwell.

As things return to a semblance of normality, though recognised Covid guidelines remain in place, the clubhouse and The Kestrel bar and restaurant are now open five days a week Wednesday to Sunday from late morning, serving both lunch and evening meals on Fridays and Saturdays, with the popular Sunday lunch menu also returning. Non-members who might like to try somewhere different for a drink or a meal are also welcome.

On behalf of both the board and members, Skipton Golf Club’s Director of Finance, John Chacksfield paid warm thanks to long-time member and current Ladies Captain, Dagmar Hecker-Woodhead, for kindly stepping in and managing the operation ahead of Karen’s appointment. He commented: “Not only has she held the fort, but also implemented many significant changes and improvements over the past three months,”

Full details of all on and off course activities posted are at www.skiptongolfclub.co.uk or at at www.thekestrel.co.uk

Pic caption (choice of pics): Pictured in front of the clubhouse at Skipton Golf Club are newly appointed Golf Manager Karen Chapman and Clubhouse Manager Angus Wilson.