The NCG Podcast: The golf course they’re ripping up and starting again

Steve Carroll

Chart Hills has been down on its luck for a number of years. But new owners came in at the end of last year and are making a big impact. Director of golf Ant Tarchetti explains what’s going on at the Kent club

What a time to buy a golf club. The team who own Prince’s branched out and acquired Chart Hills late last year – the club best known for being Sir Nick Faldo’s first European design and infamous for its bunkers – and unveiled some big plans.

Then coronavirus struck and threw the entire industry into shutdown for almost two months.

But they have pressed on following the resumption as they aim to restore what they consider to be a sleeping giant.

The 250 acre property is being extensively redeveloped and improved, with work taking place on all 18 holes, along with a new driving range, refurbished clubhouse and upgraded practice facilities.

Leading the project is Chart Hills’ director of golf Ant Tarchetti. We talked to him about Covid-19, what’s going on at the Kent property and how he hopes the complex can finally fulfil its potential.

The NCG Podcast with Chart Hills director of golf Ant Tarchetti

https://soundcloud.com/national-club-golfer/the-ncg-podcast-the-golf-course-theyre-ripping-up-and-starting-again

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About the author

Steve Carroll

A journalist for more than 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long.

A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A’s prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.

Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men’s Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.

A part of NCG’s Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He’d like to tell you he floats around 10. The reality is more like 13.

Steve plays at Sandburn Hall, in York, and is a country member at Close House in Newcastle. He has served on various club committees during his time in the game, and is the current Rules Secretary at Sandburn.

Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NCTJ exams at Darlington College of Technology. He began his career working on weekly papers in Newcastle, before joining the York Press in 2001. After five years as a news reporter, he joined the sports desk – specialising in horse racing and snooker – and was Digital Sports Editor when he joined National Club Golfer in 2016.

What’s in Steve’s bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; Caley 01T irons 4-PW; TaylorMade Hi-Toe wedges, Odyssey 2Ball Microhinge putter.

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