It’s all go at Murrayshall these days.
“It feels like we’ve gone from zero to 100 in half a second,” gasped PGA head of golf Clarke Lutton as he reflected on a busy year which has just about created its own g-force.
With significant investment being plunged into the Perthshire resort, the opportunity to showcase Murrayshall to a wider audience arrives today (Thursday) as it stages its first 36-hole Order of Merit event on the Arnold Clark Tartan Tour worth £10,000.
A fully subscribed Pro-Am will also take place on Saturday after the main event as Murrayshall revels in a festival of golf.
“We are really pushing forward here to get Murrayshall on the map and make the improvements that ensure people come up here, see what we have to offer and get involved,” said Lutton.
“Events like the Order of Merit tournament and the Pro-Am gives us more profile and showcases what we can offer.”
Lutton, an experienced and well-travelled PGA pro, made the short move from Gleneagles to Murrayshall a year past February. He may not get the opportunity to play as much these days but he’s relishing the chance to test himself against the Tartan Tour regulars over the next couple of days.
“This is very much a guest appearance,” chuckled the 34-year-old Aberdonian, who was a full-time touring professional for six years in the Middle East and Asia before forging a new career for himself with his PGA qualification.
Murrayshall is now benefitting from Lutton’s expertise while the recent addition of Robin Smith and Nicola Melville to the staff has bolstered the level of PGA proficiency in the ranks.
“We have a good team here and we’ve implemented a number of processes which have changed things for the better,” said Lutton. “We increased the budget, for instance, for the greenkeeping staff and they have been able to do much more on the course in terms of improving the quality of it.
“We have increased stock levels in the shop too so there are improved offerings for members and guests. Instead of part-timers in the shop we have three PGA pros in the team so that helps the quality of information and service to our customers.
“We are progressing nicely and I think the membership are now really getting on board with what we are trying to do.”
Lutton’s competitive outings may be limited but he is well aware of the test that will be provided by a Murrayshall course that has benefitted greatly from a financial injection aimed at reshaping the greens, enhancing the bunkers and improving the drainage.
“I know where not to go,” said Lutton with a smile. “It’s all about position off the tee. It’s not a bombers course, it’s about strategy and giving yourself opportunities.
“There’s a score to be had there but if you miss it on the wrong side you can easily post a number that’s not going to look nice on the card. This will be my first proper event for about a year. Hopefully, I can get into the red figures.”
With planning permission recently granted for a new 17-bay driving bay, pro shop and teaching academy, the renaissance of Murrayshall continues.
“I really believe that the club and estate is destined to become one of the go-to places for golf within Scotland and the UK,” said Lutton. “It’s an exciting time.”
As the Order of Merit race on the domestic circuit heats up – Paul O’Hara is on his familiar perch at the top of the current standings – PGA in Scotland manager, David Longmuir, is looking forward to the latest stop on the schedule.
“This is the first time an Order of Merit event has been played at Murrayshall and, with the Pro-Am too, it promises to be an excellent three days of competition,” he said.
