At an exciting time for Surrey-based Foxhills Club & Resort, following the reopening of the recently renovated Longcross course, the club has also appointed esteemed greenkeeper Derrick Johnstone as its new Golf Course and Estate Manager.
With a resume spanning nearly 30 years, Johnstone brings an established pedigree and love for the sport. Most recently he was at East Berkshire Golf Club for six years and before that spent 13 years managing Wentworth’s courses for prestigious televised tournaments.
The appointment coincides with Foxhills’ recent investment of £1.5m in a course modernisation project which will see the biggest structural changes to the Longcross and Bernard Hunt layouts, since they opened for play in 1975.
Johnstone said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the Foxhills team as the Golf Course and Estate Manager, with the opportunity to work on an industry renowned course that’s got bags of potential to be even better.
“Following the recent evolvement of the club and its courses, as well as the continued investment in both the layout and greenkeeping equipment, I can see the commitment from the club to be up there with the very best – and I’m excited to be on board to help make that become a reality.
“There’s lots of exciting plans in the pipeline to enhance the already excellent condition of the courses, but improving the drainage and preparing the playing surfaces to be better throughout the winter is my initial priority.”
Tej Walia, Foxhills’ Managing Director, said: “With our course modernisation project now in full swing, it is the perfect time to welcome someone of Derrick’s calibre in both skill and personality to lead the excellent team we already have in place here.
“We are looking to establish ourselves amongst the best golf courses in the country and I have no doubt that with Derrick’s expertise, the recent purchase of the best-in-class greenkeeping equipment from Toro and John Deere, as well as the continued investment and course renovations, we will be up there in the conversation.
“I’m excited to see the courses elevated to new standards under Derrick’s leadership and this appointment demonstrates our commitment to providing world-class golf facilities.”
Foxhills’ golf course investment project will continue over the next couple of years as it moves to the front nine of Longcross and the Bernard Hunt course.
The recent reopening of the back nine saw the unveiling of a new signature par-three which saw the existing 16th hole completely reconfigured and transformed. There is a new pond, with wooden sleepers installed at the front of the green, while the actual green has been significantly expanded.