Christine Langford is the Director of Golf at Thorpeness Golf Club, which is celebrating its centenary year. Here, the professional golfer and winner of the Ladies European Tour says that if she had to play one course for the rest of her life, it would be right here on the Suffolk coast
I have been lucky enough to make a living playing golf and coaching golf. It’s such a privilege to be able to work in a sport that you love, I try never to take it for granted. I have particularly enjoyed the travel aspect going to some wonderful far-off places with my golf clubs.
When did your love of golf begin, and what has been your proudest moment during your career as a professional?
I started playing golf in Kent at Bearsted Golf Club when my dad took the game up. I was 12 years old. The club professional, Don Massey, was one of those amazing coaches who could instil confidence in young people, there were four junior members at the time, three of us ended up as professional golfers. A friend of my dad’s travelled to America frequently on business and he bought back a women’s golf magazine; from the moment I read the first page all I ever wanted to do was go to America and play on the LPGA Tour. I was 21 when I qualified to play on the American tour.
When you are a tournament player winning tournaments is what life’s all about. I never won in America, but I managed five wins of the Ladies European Tour, they were all special. The thing that I am most proud of though, is the fact that I have worked in golf all my working life. When I turned pro at 19, I was told by just about everyone (except my dad and my coach) that there was no future and that I would never make a living out of being a professional golfer, well it’s been 46 years now.
What is your history with Thorpeness Golf Club?
I was working as Director of Golf at a hotel and golf course near Cambridge. It had been a pretty busy time and my partner and I were looking for a place to have a couple of days with our dogs. We spotted a Groupon ad for The Ship at Dunwich; it was our first visit to Suffolk, and it was love at first sight. I approached the manager at Thorpeness with a view to bringing some golf schools to stay and play, my customers loved the course, the hotel and Suffolk and didn’t mind how far they had to travel to get here.
When did you become Director of Golf and where were you prior to that? What does the role entail?
I became Director of Golf in 2015. I work closely with the General Manager and the Course Manager to ensure that we offer our members and guests the best possible golfing experience. We might not always get it right, but the growth in the golf side of our business speaks for itself and it is great to see so many happy customers enjoying the Thorpeness experience.
Can you tell us about your Golf School and what it offers?
I run two-day coaching for small groups (two to six) of golfers. The emphasis is on improving technique and having a lot of fun, in equal measure. I get golfers of all ages and stages. We work on their golf game on the practice ground, and I take them on the golf course to see if it all works when they play. I also take groups of golfers abroad to play. I am off to Bermuda this month with a group.
How have you taken the Golf Club forward over the past few years?
The ‘Covid years’ were tough in many ways. However, during and since then golf has been in a good place for the first time this millennium and business has been very good. We have seen an increase in membership numbers, green fee visitors and hotel guests so we have had to be on the ball in ensuring that we can cope with the extra demand. Whilst this has presented its challenges, I think we have managed the golf operation well, I have a great team and we are committed to making sure that the customer has the best experience, from retail to on-course services. I am very pleased with
the progress we have made.
How proud are you to be Director for this centenary year?
It’s a big birthday and I am very proud to be Director of Golf in the celebration year. I am even more proud of the way in which the company (The Hotel Folk) has really got behind the golf side of the business. We have a fabulous Course Manager in Wallace Wilson and a great team of people working on the golf course and in the pro shop. This has made it possible to implement some major improvements to the course and the services that we offer golfers, whether they be members, hotel guests or casual visitors.
Considering all the golf courses you have played around the world, would you say that Thorpeness is a particularly special place?
I have been lucky to play some wonderful golf courses throughout the world, but Thorpeness will always be a very special golf course for me, if I had to play just one course for the rest of my life it would be here. The layout, as designed by the great James Braid, is timeless and together with the various conditions that a coastal heathland course presents, it is never boring or the same two days running. Add to this the fact that the sandy soil allows for summer conditions year-round and there is nothing not to like. Most of us golfers realise that if you don’t treat this old lady (the course that is!) with respect she will humble you every time.
What are your hopes and dreams for its future?
As we start the next century, I am optimistic about the future for the golf course. Over the next three years the company will invest a significant amount of money installing a state-of-the-art irrigation system. Apart from dealing with the increasingly dry summers, this development will allow us to improve the playing surfaces beyond recognition – this is going to be truly game changing, the future is very bright.
Thorpeness Golf Club & Hotel is playable 365 days of the year and is home to the award-winning 18-hole golf course designed by James Braid and established in 1922. The hotel has 36 bedrooms. Also, visit langford-golf.co.uk.
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