After some question marks as to its future status Loch Lomond’s members have purchased the golf club as it sets to cement its position as one of the premier private clubs in the world. The buyout occurred despite a slightly up and down week with the news that after 9 years of hosting the Barclays Scottish Open, Loch Lomond was no longer going to stage the event. In addition to this the club also saw some high profile members resign their memberships following the club’s change in direction.
One such member to resign their membership was former Hibernian chairman Ken Lewandowski, while president and chief executive Niall Flanagan has left by mutual consent after our year at the position. The buyout was first initiated in 2008, with claims of interest in the club coming from the both the United States and the Middle East. However the buyout has now been completed without Lewandowski. Meanwhile, Niall departure has led to a significant vacancy at the club. He moved to Loch Lomond in 2006 having spent the previous six years as a director of operations for the St Andrews Links. His previous worked included positions at tournament venues Wentworth and 2010 Ryder Cup venue Celtic Manor.
The buyout was particularly positive for the golf club’s staff which saw the 100 full time and a further 200 seasonal workers secure their jobs with the members keen to keep the structure in place that created one of the finest conditioned golf courses in Europe.
The club’s management will be overseen by a board of directors chaired by Nigel Rudd, who wishes to ensure the club’s reputation as one of the most exclusive establishments in the world. With a layout that is unquestionably visually impressive and suitable to test the world’s tournament professionals surely this is a golf club which will always have an extensive waiting list.
For a few delightful years I was a member at Loch Lomond. I live in the US but am originally from the UK. I first played golf in Scotland in 1966 at Gullane, the week after Jack Nicklaus won the Open at Muirfield.
I moved to Bermuda in the early 70s and then to the US when I retired.
As a golfer, there is no better place to play this wonderful game than in Scotland.I had hoped to be a member of Loch Lomond forever but it became too expensive.
It is the most magnifcient course – a course that has delivered incredible memories of those early days of the club. The staff were terrific and the entire place was just a joy to visit for a few years.
I wish everyone associated with the club every continued success.