LA MANGA GOLF POST FOR DUNDEE MAN GARY SILCOCK

By COLIN FARQUHARSON Colin@scottishgolfview.com  Dundee man Gary Silcock, who began his PGA career as an assistant at Panmure Golf Club, near Carnoustie, has been appointed director of golf at La Manga, the five-star sports resort in Murcia in the south-east of Spain. Silcock is a much travelled pro, moving steadily up the ladder over the years. He began his PGA training as an assistant at Panmure, then moved to Westerwood. He qualified as a pro at St Andrews where he was attached to the Old Course Hotel. Then came his first overseas job when he went to the Western Algarve to become club pro at Parque da Floresta where fellow Scot Billy Sim was the director of golf. From Portugal, Silcock moved to India for a spell as chief executive officer at an Aamby Valley golf establishment, before coming back to Europe to take up a post in Ireland at Palmerstown House Golf Club, near Dublin. In 2006, Gary landed the plum job as Director of Golf at The Belfry. Now he has moved on this month to another high-profile at La Manga where the golf facilities include three 18-hole courses and a nine-hole academy course. La Manga has hosted the Spanish Open five times and was, until recently, the Ladies European Tour's Qualifying School headquarters. Silcock said: "La Manga Club is a name that is synonymous with golf and sport, not just in Europe but around the world, and it's a great honour to be working here. "Some of the biggest names in the game have been associated with the resort and it has always been a venue that I've admired and respected. "Having worked for some top destinations in several different countries, I feel I have a lot to offer in in improving the service and the overall golf experience that La Manga Club can provide. It's a great opportunity and I'm looking forward to a new challenge." Silcock's arrival comes at an exciting time for La Manga Club with the five-star venue having celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2012, and he faces a busy time in his new role over the coming months.