Tour Golfer Sarah Takes Over At Oak Park

Oak Park Golf Club has appointed former Ladies European Tour pro golfer Sarah Heath as its new General Manager.

The 32 year old from Shropshire joins the club from nearby Pine Ridge GC, pledging to make Oak Park the most desirable members’ club in the area, and to boost the amount of female golfers playing at the Crondall, Farnham club.

Heath is one of a growing number of women to run golf clubs in England. “I feel ready for the challenge” she said. “The members here have already been incredibly welcoming – Oak Park is such a friendly club. The staff have been great too, and I’m looking to getting to know the place as we approach Christmas”.

With both parents being golfers and former Club Captains in her home town of Telford, and a brother who was a PGA golf coach, it was no surprise when Heath turned professional at the age of 20 to try her luck on Tour. With ten Top 20 finishes on Tour, including a 3rd in the South African Masters, the new boss – who is still a professional golfer – will be a formidable opponent when she plays in the Oak Park captain’s charity day.

“Playing on Tour gives you a certain mental strength which is useful in business” she said. “You’ve got to trust your preparation, and bounce back quickly if things don’t go to plan.

“But although I’ve played against tough opponents like Laura Davies, Annika Sorenstam and Karrie Webb, I am sure that the members and visitors at Oak Park will throw me some of their own unique challenges!”

Heath joins Oak Park after working previously at Ryder Cup venue The Belfry, and latterly Pine Ridge in Camberley – which like Oak Park is also part of the Crown Golf group, the UK’s biggest chain of golf clubs. “We love to develop and promote from within” said Stephen Towers, the group’s Chief Operating Officer. “Sarah is a dynamic and very capable young manager and I’m delighted to be able to offer her this opportunity. Oak Park is a great place for her first manager’s job – it is a beautiful golf club with two great courses, a friendly clubhouse, and it always has a super atmosphere.

“I think that Oak Park customers will find her extremely enthusiastic, passionate and determined to make it an even better place to spend your leisure time. Also, Sarah is naturally well placed to encourage more women to join and play at the club, and this is one of our biggest goals for the year ahead”.

Heath, who lists Seve Ballesteros, Kate Middleton and Peter Kay as her three ideal dinner guests, promises a lively atmosphere at Oak Park this winter.

“Nobody should be afraid to visit a golf club, least of all ladies or beginners. They’ll find we are incredibly welcoming to everybody, and the club is just as much about the social side of life, as it is about sport”.

Ends.

CONTACT OAK PARK GOLF CLUB: +44 (0)1252 850850, Sarah Heath, oakpark-manager@crown-golf.co.uk

www.oakparkgolf.co.uk

With 27 holes of golf plus a driving range, bar & restaurant, pro shop and gym, thousands of people visit Oak Park Golf Club every year. Many choose to join the club and to become part of this welcoming golfing and leisure community. Established in 1984, Oak Park has the 6,065 yard Par 70 Woodland Course, and the 3,218 yard Par 36 Village Course. It can host functions of up to 150 people, and meetings & conferences for up to 100 delegates. The club is near to the village of Crondall on the Surrey / Hampshire border, and is also close to the towns of Farnham, Fleet and Aldershot.

www.crown-golf.co.uk

The award-winning Crown Golf group has 25 UK golf facilities and 38 golf courses in its portfolio. With pride in customer service and innovation, Crown Golf (established in 1994) aims to provide an outstanding golf experience for its members and visitors, tailor-made to suit the lifestyles and needs of a wide range of golfers. The company’s flagship is the European Tour venue St Mellion International Resort, home to The Nicklaus Signature Course – the first in the UK to be designed by 18-time Major-winner Jack Nicklaus.