West Lancashire Golf Club have appointed Stuart Hogg Master Greenkeeper as their new Course Manager, replacing the club’s previous long-serving greenkeeper, John Muir, who passed away last September, BIGGA have reported. Stuart’s greenkeeping career began at West Kilbride Golf Club in 1988. Since then he has enjoyed various posts at courses throughout the UK, including Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club, Ross-shire, where he was awarded Master Greenkeeper status by BIGGA.

Stuart Hogg, BIGGA MG
Stuart said, "To be taking over from a gentleman who was well respected both at the club and within the industry is an honour, and I am looking forward to working with the team to ensure that West Lancashire not only remains on the Must Play List, but increases its ranking as one of the best links courses in the world."

It seems that media outlets still aren't learning that pitchside can be a potentially quite damp place to conduct interviews post-match. This time it's Norwich's Gary Hooper, who is thanked for his stoppage time winner against Bolton on Saturday with an impromptu shower!

And you may remember a few weeks ago we featured a picture of a huge, dinosaur-like alligator which was photographed wondering around the greens of a Florida golf course. Unsurprisingly that image was seen worldwide and has generated substantial publicity for Myakka Pines Golf Club. Superintendent Scott Austin told the American GCM magazine,  "I think it's good publicity for the club. We've gotten calls from all over the world about it. We still are." The gator, nicknamed Goliath, isn't however the largest one ever spotted on the course. Austin says, "About 10 years ago there was a 15-footer they called Big George. I think we even had a Big George hot dog on the menu."
Below is Austin's latest pic of Goliath, this time with a turtle in his mouth!