Cornish greenkeepers are rejoicing after winning the Cornwall versus Devon game at the British International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) play-off event for the second year in a row.  The victory took place at St Mellion International Resort on 15 June with Cornwall winning 9-3.

The event involved 70 staff members from golf clubs all over Devon and Cornwall, 44 played a match on the refurbished Nicklaus Course whilst the remaining members of BIGGA embarked on a course walk lead by St Mellion’s course manager Mike Bush who showed visitors the refurbishments and improvements made to the Nicklaus and Kernow courses.

St Mellion’s Kernow course has recently been reopened after extensive work to improve and modernise it.  Many holes have been extended to keep up with the current technology of the game.  The Nicklaus course the members played on is notoriously difficult and is regarded as second only to Carnoustie as the most difficult course in Britain.

BIGGA members celebrated Cornwall’s win with a barbeque in the evening and took the chance to socialise with other greenkeepers and managers.

Mike Bush said: “The day was superb; everyone loved the course and agreed that it was in great nick, they did find it tough though!  It’s great that we have a championship course at St Mellion for the Devon and Cornwall staff to play on and it was a great social event too, as it is every year.

“The day was a good opportunity for me to meet everyone and show them the courses.  I also took the chance to recruit volunteers for the English Open next year.  It’s important to promote local greenkeeping talent.”

The sun shone down on Saturday as St Mellion International Resort officially opened its newly redeveloped championship Kernow Course, formerly known as the Old Course.

The improvements ,which took 2 years to complete and added nine new holes to the course, mean that St Mellion now has 2 championship-standard 18 hole golf courses to its name ready for the English Open competition which is being held at St Mellion in 2011.

A commemorative plaque was unveiled by Lt Col Martin Taylor of 3 Commando at Stonehouse Barracks and Jeff Chapman, chairman of Crown Golf.

144 golfers, including a team of Royal Marines, then took part in a competition with all the entrance fees going towards the charity, Help for Heroes. In total the event raised over £3,500.

The day finished with a prize-giving ceremony, a barbeque and a screening of the England v USA World Cup game.

“Nine new holes have been added which require great accuracy and refined skill from golfers”, said David Moon, golf operations manager at St Mellion. “The improvements were necessary because golf has moved on, people are hitting further and technology has advanced.  We have had fantastic feedback already with people saying it is a pleasure on the eye and a pleasure to play.”

To read the Herald’s review of the new course click here.

To read the Mid-Devon Star’s review click here.

For more information or to book a tee-time visit www.st-mellion.co.uk or call 01579 352002.

The Cornish resort recently underwent a £20 million redevelopment of its hotel, leisure facilities, clubhouse and golf courses.

On Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 May visitors can ‘give golf a go’ with a beginner’s group golf session, go on a guided-tour of the recently redeveloped Kernow Course with one of St Mellion’s professionals and take advantage of free entry to the resort’s leisure facilities.

Regan Bailey, membership and operations manager, at St Mellion International Resort, said: “We’re laying on a fantastic array of activities and events for all the family- there will be a barbeque, children’s wet’n’wild swimming sessions, dodgeball, spa taster sessions and a St Mellion quiz with a ‘Who wants to be a Mellionaire’ round.

“People can come and see what we have to offer between 10am and 4pm each day.”

For more information please call: 01579 351351 or email stmellion-memberships@crown-golf.co.uk

The team, made up of staff and members at St Mellion, had never competed in a marathon event before and trained intensively using St Mellion’s recently redeveloped gym and leisure facilities.

Phillip Barton, Ann-Marie Pengelly, Elizabeth Wilkinson and Aimee Griffon joined over 16,000 runners on March 7 in a 2 lap course around the centre of Bath. Deborah Morris, who was due to run, unfortunately had to pull out at the last minute due to a calf injury.

Phillip Barton, gym manager at St Mellion said: “We chose the Cardiothoracic Centre at Derriford as late last year a member of staff here at St Mellion unfortunately passed away. The Cardiothoracic Unit were very supportive and worked hard to try and save him and we’d like to show then our sincere thanks.”

“This is the best ever year to join St Mellion International,” said Regan Bailey, Membership & Operations Manager at the resort.

“These days people are looking for an extraordinary deal, so how’s this: as well as all of the other benefits, members here at St Mellion also have reciprocal playing rights at 50 other Crown Golf courses throughout the UK, preferential rates at dozens of golf courses in France and Spain, and discounts on tickets to see European Tour golf events.

“We would like to hear from anyone who thinks there is any golf club, anywhere in the UK, where golfers get more for their membership!”

For more details contact Regan Bailey at St Mellion International. +44 (0)7912 872741, stmellion-operations@crown-golf.co.uk.

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St Mellion International Resort has been given the prestigious ‘GolfMark’ accreditation for its work in encouraging beginners to play the sport – and with it, the rare honour of being named a “high achiever” at a national level.

GolfMark is a national scheme that identifies and recognises junior and beginner-friendly golf facilities. It is administered by the English Golf Union (EGU) and England Women’s Golf Association (EWGA).

St Mellion International Resort has also been awarded ‘ClubMark’ status, in recognition of its commitment to developing high quality sporting opportunities for young people and new golfers in a safe environment.

The Saltash-based resort has made great efforts over the past year to ensure that best practice is observed in all activities throughout the centre. The Junior Section has been revamped, with a new Junior Development Plan, Junior Handbook and a system for signing young Juniors in and out of the on-site Crown Golf Academy.

The GolfMark and ClubMark awards recognise how dedicated the club is to encouraging beginners and youngsters in a safe and friendly environment.

The ‘high achiever’ status awarded to the club is for going the extra mile in all areas, ensuring that coaching, playing, competitions and the club environment are as safe as possible for all Juniors.

Darren Gass, Head PGA Professional at St Mellion International Resort, said: “We are delighted to have achieved these awards, which are a recognised benchmark of quality in English golf. We already have a thriving Junior Section, but hope that numbers will increase significantly this year. Golf centres like ours are crucial to the future of the sport, and we are very keen to bring on a new generation of golfers.

“GolfMark and ClubMark accreditation at St Mellion guarantees that children can come here and learn to play golf in a safe, fun and welcoming environment, with access to the appropriate levels of coaching. Parents can relax and be confident that their children are in trained hands.

“Golf teaches individuals not only a sport, but also skills for life such as honesty and respect. We hope to produce committed and educated juniors, but above all, people who love the game.”

David Moon, golf operations manager at St Mellion said: “We couldn’t believe it. We’d planned the Big Thaw Competition last weekend as a fun event to allow members a chance to get back into the swing of things following the extreme snowy weather we’d had. To have to postpone it due to frost is just typical!”

The Big Thaw Competition will now take place on Saturday 6 February and is open to all members booked to play on the Kernow Course. It will take the form of a ‘nearest the pin’ competition from the 14th hole.

The winner will be announced at the end of the day’s play and receives a month’s supply of ice cream donated by Langage Farm.