Abridge is a private members' club in Essex, where Course Manager Geoff Smith and his team were tasked with preparing the course for its first EuroPro Tour event in June and July 2022.
In 2022 Abridge hosted:
"A week of tournament golf, in addition to keeping more than 700 members happy. I cannot state enough the dedication Geoff and his staff show - they always do, but this time they went the extra mile!"
"The weeks and hours of preparation were evident. Geoff's planning was detailed, so nothing was a rush and it all went like clockwork.
"He made sure all his staff and members were kept up to date with what was going on around the course and why. All members stated the course was incredible and the best they had ever seen.
"No stone was left unturned. Geoff and his team just kept going, working endless hours. They were a Rolls Royce of a machine!"
The team set the course up the weekends before and after the event to the same standards and speeds as the professionals played on, so all members could experience tournament conditions.
They also had to deal with several issues:
- One of the driest summers on record causing obvious turf stress
- The 'grow in' of a massive, newly-constructed irrigation lake
- Working around general busy play
The greenkeeping team made the decision to stay in the clubhouse for eight nights in the build-up and throughout the tournament. PGA officials remarked they had never seen such dedication.
"Geoff said he wanted to build work relationships, work as one team and break down any potential issues, such as timekeeping, sickness, machinery issues and any other potential problems by keeping all the team together."
It was hard to be away from home for so long, but Geoff scheduled rotas so each staff member went home at some point during the week to see their families.
Staff was brought in from local courses to help the team with preparation and members were encouraged to help each evening with divoting duties, making them feel a part of the tournament experience.
"The togetherness in the team is there for everyone to see. They were a fantastic unit before the event, but the way Geoff has motivated the team is a credit to him. They really did go that extra mile, something that has carried on and we are going from strength to strength."
In his closing address, the CEO of EuroPro stated that Abridge was one of the best venues they had ever been to.
"I cannot recommend this team enough to win this award - they thoroughly deserve it!"
Lol Green, course chairman and member at Abridge