A greenkeeper with Open Championship pedigree has turned his attention to restoring Seaton Carew Golf Club to its “former glories”.
Tom Coulson has returned to Teesside, and Seaton Carew, to become head greenkeeper at the 146-year-old course. He returns to the region having worked at Royal St George’s Golf Club – which will host the Open Championship in 2021.
Tom, 34, said: “It’s a real honour to get the head greenkeeper’s position at a course with the authentic links character that Seaton Carew has, and the championship pedigree is clear to see. I want to push the course forward in a sustainable manner and bring back turf surfaces that Seaton was famous for in the past. It’s all about taking the course and club back to its former glories and hopefully elevating it to a new level. I’d like to make the course unquestionably one of the best courses in the north and awaken the sleeping giant that is Seaton Carew’s golf course.”
Tom started at Cleveland Golf Club 17 years ago and has worked at eight venues, including prestigious links courses such as Southerness Golf Club and Royal St George’s.
He returns to the North East after a spell as deputy head greenkeeper on the world-famous Sandwich links. Tom, a plus-two handicapper, has worked with golf architects Mackenzie & Ebert, who have advised many of the most highly ranked courses in the world including Pebble Beach, but it was a dream of his to come and enhance Seaton Carew’s own reputation.
“Seaton has always been one of my favourite courses having visited on a great number of occasions and as a past member,” added Tom. “My main aim is to get Seaton Carew not just to the standards of the glorious past, but to a level that will send ripples through the golfing landscape, as I believe the potential of the land at Seaton Carew is sufficient to present a truly exceptional links golf course and one that stands shoulder to shoulder with the highest ranked courses in the UK.”
