South East: Music fan Barry takes up Essex role
South Essex Golf Centre has appointed a music lover and former gym boss as its new manager.
Barry Careford, 36, plays off 10 and arrives at South Essex after five years at Hertfordshire’s Chesfield Downs.
The north Londoner said: “The people at your golf club are like your family. My philosophy is to treat every golfer like they are already a member, as soon as they drive into our car park.”
‘Golfers tend to be loyal and friendly’ The new boss took up golf as a teenager, but he doesn’t expect to get much time to work on his handicap.
He added: “I expect to be too busy through the winter to play much golf myself. But I am looking forward to getting to know the golf club, its customers and staff, and I am going to have to sacrifice my own golf game so that others can improve theirs.”
Careford spent the early years of his career at David Lloyd and Virgin health clubs, before helping Chesfield Downs to expand its leisure club membership fourfold during his time as golf and leisure manager.
