Pickard appointed De Vere Group Director of Golf

De Vere Hotels & Resorts have announced that Keith Pickard (pictured) has been promoted to the role of Group Director of Golf following eight and a half years of service for the leading UK golf resort and hotel brand.

Pickard brings a wealth of experience to the role after working his way through the ranks at De Vere, and will now oversee the complete De Vere Golf offering across seven of the premium golf resorts within the De Vere Hotels & Resorts and Village Urban Resorts portfolio.

Pickard has been an integral member of the team at De Vere Golf since joining the company in 2005 as Director of Golf at Oulton Hall, Leeds. Pickard was central in the success of the De Vere Club following its launch in March 2010 as it became the UK’s fastest growing golf membership, and oversaw five stagings of the European Senior Tour’s flagship event between 2008-2012, the PGA Seniors Championship during his tenure as Golf, Leisure & Spa Director at Slaley Hall and Oulton Hall.

On his appointment, Pickard commented: “It is an honour and a privilege to have been given such an esteemed position within the De Vere Group. I have worked for the brand across a number of leading resorts for eight and a half years, and I have been given some incredible opportunities. That experience will be invaluable as I take on a national role and I’m really looking forward to working with the team to develop our resort offerings and guest experiences.

“There have been a number of significant investments to our resorts in recent years and we are excited about more and more golfers having a chance to experience De Vere Golf.”

In 2013, Pickard became Regional Golf Director, De Vere, when the recently refurbished Mottram Hall was added to his remit following an extensive £6 million refurbishment project. His experience of tournament hosting saw him play a central role in preparing the luxury Cheshire resort for the ISPS HANDA PGA Seniors Championship last year, ensuring the resort was the perfect host, providing a stern challenge for some of the game’s best known stars.

Pickard’s success at three of De Vere’s flagship venues over the past eight years has delivered continued improvements and growth, from both on- and off-course guest experiences, membership offerings and tournament staging.

In his new role, Pickard will bring that success and experience to all of the golf resorts within the De Vere portfolio, adding The Carrick on Loch Lomond, Belton Woods in Lincolnshire, Herons Reach in Blackpool and Dunston Hall in Norfolk to his remit.

Plus, his expertise will be utilised at other De Vere managed golf properties, The Belfry and Carden Park. His focus will be centred around enhancing the all-round golf experiences to accompany the on-going course investments, and expanding the recently launched Country Club Membership.