Chairman Robert Cook
Robert, a Goswick member for more than 20 years, has served as the head of the club’s board since 2021. He brings a deep and varied CV in hospitality to this very important role, previously serving as the CEO of TGI Friday’s the UK, the CEO of Malmaison, Hotel du Vin and De Vere Hotels & Resorts, and CEO of Virgin Active UK’s health clubs. With his wife Debbie, he is currently the owner and operator of The Cookie Jar hotel in Alnwick.
Vice Chairman Roger Andrews
Since joining the board in 2018, Roger has served as the club’s Vice Chairman with special responsibility for marketing and sales. In the year before that, he managed the creation of the club’s new website and logo and led the development of its marketing strategy. Roger brings a wealth of experience to this role, having been sales and marketing director of a number of blue-chip organisations in the computer and telecoms sectors before becoming managing partner in a marketing and sales consultancy operating across Europe.
Course Director David Greenshields
As a member of the club’s board, David sets the long-term vision for the maintenance and improvement of the links. As he notes, Goswick is one of only about 250 genuine links courses around the world. And it is on a much shorter list that’s dominated by fescue that makes for a firm and lively turf and greens that roll fast and true all year-round. David has a PhD in plant genetics and a day job as the UK and Ireland product manager for the Dutch-based Barenbrug that breeds and markets grass seed. He is also a former Goswick club champion.
Finance Director Michael Long
Michael, a Goswick member since 2013, joined the board as the club’s finance director in2021. He brings to the table extensive experience in accounting and finance, in particular in the housing sector. That expertise is proving to be invaluable as Goswick develops and executes a long-term plan to significantly improve the golf course, its facilities and the overall member and visitor experience.
Members Director Sandra McGonigle
Sandra, a Goswick member with her husband Morris for over 40 years, supports the growth and maintenance of the club’s membership levels by ensuring the membership offer and experience meets if not exceeds expectations. Alongside member Peter Oliver, she is also one of the leading organisers working to expand Goswick’s junior section. She serves as Goswick’s R&A Women in Golf champion with the aim of increasing the number of girls and women who participate in the game. And she heads up Goswick's Community Fund, which awards grants to local community charities that meet certain criteria. A retired assistant headteacher, Sandra previously served twice as Ladies Captain at Goswick and is the defending ladies club champion.
General Manager Keith Martin
Keith came on board at Goswick in the autumn of 2021, filling the newly created position of general manager. His background in the golf industry is deep and varied, including serving as a greenkeeper on the OldCourse at St Andrews, director of golf and then eventually general manager of all operations — including two hotels — at Machrihanish Dunes, anAmerican-owned resort destination, and general manager of Kilspindie Golf Club, a private members club in East Lothian. At Goswick, Keith is responsible for the club’s day-to-day operations — from greenkeeping to competitions to catering to facilities to staffing and more.
Course Manager Ryan McCulloch
When it comes to course maintenance, Goswick Golf Links has long been blessed with a steady and experienced hand.For 50 years, the all-important role of head greenkeeper was played by GeorgeThompson who had assumed the reins from his father in 1977. When George retired in 2016, he was succeeded by Berwick-Upon-Tweed native Ryan McCulloch, who had served as his apprentice since 1998. Ryan’s mission: finding ways to take a great links up a notch or two every year.
Golf Operations Manager Paul Terras
Paul and his wife Shona have been fixtures as Goswick for more than 30 years. Prior to becoming the head professional, he trained as an apprentice at Dunbar Golf Club while also competing on the Tartan Tour for five years with the likes of Open Champion Paul Lawrie. While his focus these days is on assisting members and visitors with the playing of the course, managing members’ handicaps and competitions and overseeing the retail aspects of the pro shop (with Shona’s assistance as the lead buyer) and practice facility, Paul still enjoys giving the occasional lesson — taking full advantage of the club’s dedicated TrackMan swing studio.
Marketing Manager Dan Miller
Dan, a Goswick member since he and his wife made the move from the US to the UK in 2015, collaborated with Roger Andrews on various marketing-related initiatives on a volunteer basis before filling the newly created position of Marketing Manager in 2022. A professional writer by trade, Dan began his career in newspapers before transitioning to public relations and corporate communications. Throughout, he has always looked for opportunities to combine his two passions -- golf and writing -- including publishing a novel, Machrihanish, in 2015. Now, Dan focuses his efforts on telling Goswick's remarkable story.