The proprietor of a hickory golf membership enterprise is hoping to construct additional on a rise in demand from vacationers after discovering a everlasting venue for his former pop-up enterprise.
Stuart Fraser of Hickory Smoked Golf, which gained an “Innovation in Tourism” class on the regional Scottish Thistle Awards, mentioned the start-up firm has acquired an enormous enhance since being added to the itineraries of bundle tour operators catering to abroad golfers. And having crushed off stiff competitors within the central and east area, he’s now wanting ahead to the nationwide finals of the Thistle Awards in November.
“We have been up in opposition to Mary King’s Shut and Rosslyn Chapel, so for us, as a brand new firm, to be up in opposition to huge hitters like that was fairly daunting,” he mentioned. “We weren’t actually anticipating a lot, so we have been delighted to have gained it.”
Beforehand employed within the monetary companies sector, Fraser arrange Hickory Smoked Golf as a “part-time gig” throughout the COVID lockdowns. He gave up his day job in November of final yr after discovering a everlasting house for the enterprise alongside the St. Andrews Golf Firm, whose manufacturing unit in Largoward is positioned about six miles south of the House of Golf.
“They’re nonetheless making hickory golf equipment in that area, nonetheless utilizing the previous methods and craftsmanship that may have been used 100 years,” Fraser mentioned.
Hickory Smoked Golf in Scotland. (Picture: Gordon Terris)
Hickory Smoked Golf buys and restores golf equipment from pre-1935, the closing date set by the Society of Hickory Golfers for “genuine” hickory golf equipment. Its interactive workshops take purchasers via the refurbishment course of, which incorporates restored grips comprised of completely different colors of suede, leather-based, denim and even fake snakeskin.
Those that want to purchase their membership and take it house can have it personalised with laser engraving on the shaft.
The transfer to a set venue, which opened in March after a number of months of refurbishment, has allowed the enterprise to considerably improve its providing.
“We’re capable of supply a lot extra within the workshops now,” Fraser mentioned. “It’s virtually like an interactive museum – there’s simulators, there’s a placing inexperienced.
“There’s a lot of issues to see and do, details and figures and issues to learn concerning the historical past of golf, however [visitors] may choose the golf equipment up and truly use them, quite than having them locked behind any type of cupboards. Nothing is roped off – all the things will be picked up and touched and used.”
Hickory Smoked Golf nonetheless does occasional exterior occasions, however is now primarily targeted on the venue at Largoward the place workshops held on a pre-booked foundation. Wanting additional forward, Fraser mentioned the enterprise want to function on an “open door foundation” the place guests can drop in, although this requires “a bit extra useful resource than we’ve acquired proper now”.
Nevertheless, he stays upbeat about developments so far.
“We’re clearly delighted, being such a brand new firm and so younger, to get the suggestions we’re getting,” he mentioned. “The popularity we’re getting is wonderful.
“The award final evening was sudden however unbelievable – simply to be talked about with a few of these huge hitters within the tourism business in the identical sentence is incredible for us as a small enterprise, however hopefully we are able to develop from that and go from energy to energy.”
