PLUM POST AT DUNDONALD LINKS
GOES TO PAUL LAWRIE’S MANAGER

JOHN CAVEN, STARTING MAY 1

Paul Lawrie’s business development manager, PGA professional John Caven, has landed a plum job in Scottish golf.
He has been appointed Director of Operations at Dundonald Links, the Ayrshire course owned by the exclusive Loch Lomond Club Club. John (pictured right) will take up his new duties on May 1.
“I am really looking forward to this new challenge and it’s a great organisation I am joining,” said John who comes originally from the south side of Glasgow but has been 14 years in the North-east.
“I joined Charles Dernie as an assistant when he was professional at Banchory 14 years ago last month. After three years I got my first club post at Oldmeldrum Golf Club. Three years later I moved just a short distance to become general manager at the new Meldrum House Golf Club.”
Caven spent the best part of five years there before becoming Paul Lawrie’s business development manager, a wide-ranging role that included PR, sales and marketing, arranging dates, organising Paul’s Junior Golf programme and update Paul’s own website.
“This really is a fantastic opportunity for me. Dundonald Links is a new and exceptional links course. It’s going to be an exciting challenging putting it firmly on the golfing map.
“I am going to have the post of director of operations which essentially means that I have responsibility for everything. I will be in charge of the director of golf and all the other staff that make Dundonald Links tick over. I will also be on the Loch Lomond management committee."
Niall Flanagan, general manager of Loch Lomond Golf Club and Dundonald Links, said: “ We are delighted that John Caven has joined what is an already a strong team. John has a wealth of experience working in the golf industry and the knowledge he has accrued will be hugely beneficial as we continue to develop Dundonald Links.”
Designed by Kyle Phillips, one the game’s top golf course architects. Dundonald Links is a true test of links golf that has been quietly maturing since its opening in 2003. The club announced last week that the course was now ready to be opened for pay by the public.
Situated only 10min from Prestwick Airport and 30min from Glasgow Airport, Dundonald Links is perfectly placed to be marketed as an easy-to-reach Scottish Links venue for overseas golfers, whether Continental, North American or Japanese.
Developing that lucrative market will be one of John Caven’s tasks.

The Duke of York Young Champions' Trophy tournament was played at Dundonald Links last September. It was regarded as such a good venue for a number of reasons by the organisers - and presumably Prince Andrew - that the prestigious event is going back to the Ayrshire venue this September.