PGA man Silcock savours the 'exciting opportunities' of Murrayshall renaissance

“We have something that a lot of places don’t have and it’s the views,” said Gary Silcock of the glorious vistas that abound at Murrayshall. “You can’t buy that. It’s our biggest asset.”

Silcock, a well-kent figure in PGA circles, is relishing his latest post as general manager of the Perthshire resort which is in the midst of an ambitious renaissance.

The Covid pandemic put something of a spanner in the works but the drive and desire to ensure that Murrayshall reaches its full potential remains undiminished. Silcock, who has posts at Gleneagles, The Belfry and La Manga on a hefty cv, has been energised by the project.

“It keeps me young … or it gives me grey hairs,” he said with a chuckle. “With all my years of experience this is one of my most exciting opportunities.

“We had a major planning application for the entire estate which was in the region of £20 to £30 million but various things got pushed back because of Covid.

“That will be going back in, though. There will be a spa, lodges, glamping pods and 50 extra rooms in the hotel. It’s very family orientated and a smaller version of Gleneagles aimed at the luxury boutique market.”

Silcock and his team will get the opportunity to showcase Murrayshall’s abundant qualities in July when the resort stages a 36-hole Order of Merit event on the Arnold Clark Tartan Tour and a one-day Pro-Am.

“I’d like that to be a kick-start to potentially have a Pro-Am series in the area and link in a few of the other clubs,” said Silcock. “Ultimately, we want the people of Perth and the businesses of Perth to support it. Hopefully, it could be a catalyst for something like a Perth Pro-Am week, like they do with the Aberdeen Golf Links and the Highland Pro-Am.

“The course is short in length but length gets you into trouble at Murrayshall. It’s a thinking golfer’s course and provides a really good test.”

With Clarke Lutton, a winner on the MENA Tour in the Middle East a few years ago, at the head of a team of professionals that has been bolstered by the arrival of Ron Tickle and Robin Smith, there is plenty of PGA experience and knowledge in the Murrayshall ranks.

“We have a really good team of people here,” said Silcock. “Everything we do will be aimed at value. And one of the best values you can have is engaged staff talking to members and guests. Now we are trying to knock on as many doors as possible in the area to let people know what we are doing. We are getting people through the gates. It’s an exciting time for Murrayshall.”