Crail Golfing Society already boasts a rich history spanning three Century’s and the Scottish club has now been further enriched with news of the appointment of David Snodgrass and the club’s new Head Professional.

Remarkably, it is only the second occasion in Crail’s proud 234-year history golf’s seventh oldest club has appointed a Head Professional.

David, and the current Assistant Professional, will take over from 4th January, 2021.

David has been assistant under current Head Professional, Graeme Lennie who is retiring after 34 dedicated and wonderful years at the famed Fifeness Club.

Graeme, who was the very first professional appointed by the club, will leave Crail Golfing Society having helped establish the club now as one of Scotland’s favourite golfing destinations.  It was also Graeme’s close friendship with now renowned golf course designer, Gil Hanse that led to Gil designing Crail’s Championship course – Craighead Links that was opened for play in 1998.

The acclaim afforded Gil in designing Craighead Links, and his first design project outside of his native United States, led to other golf design projects as Castle Stuart near Inverness and the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympic Games host venue in Brazil.

David Snodgrass and to take-up duties in January, 2020 as only the second Head Pro in Crail’s 234-year history

Graeme started his career as Assistant at Lundin Links under David Webster, then became the Club Professional at Clydebank & District before becoming the first professional at Crail in 1986. This completed a trio of firsts – first ever assistant at Lundin Links, first ever professional at Clydebank & District and first professional at Crail. In between all this Graeme played a number of tournaments on the South African circuit in 1986 and was twice in the top-25 of the Scottish Professional Order of Merit.

In 2003, Graeme had the great honour of being appointed Captain of the Scottish PGA.  He is a renowned expert on the history and memorabilia of golf, and also has been a leading member of the British Golf Collectors Society for some 40-years. Over that time the Club has benefitted from Graeme having hosted many memorabilia-theme evenings.

All at Crail Golfing Society wish Graeme and his wife, Katie and their three children the very best for the future.

Snodgrass, 31 and a PGA Advanced Professional, joined Crail eight years ago having completed his PGA training at Hilton Park Golf Club in Milngavie, Glasgow.

Soon after arriving at Crail, David quickly established a vibrant and enthusiastic Junior Section and under Graeme’s guidance he has passionately and confidently exhibited the experience of a golf professional many years his senior.

In appointing David, the club initiated a robust and arduous interview process hosted by a panel of seven that encompassed a 30-minute presentation and 45-minute interview session. The panel included Keith Haslam, of Braemar Golf as a neutral independent interviewer to assist in the process.

In a strong showing of club membership backing, many letters/emails have been received from Crail Golfing Society members supporting David’s appointment.

Club Captain, Jim McArthur was delighted in formally confirming David as the successful applicant.

“On behalf of everyone at Crail Golfing Society, I can say that we are absolutely delighted to welcome appointing David Snodgrass as our new Head Professional,” said McArthur.

“David not only understands the culture and ethos of the club but also has a superb appreciation of the wider golfing world and will bring a new energy and enthusiasm to the team to help develop the long-term vision for the Society.

“Whilst the whole emphasis at the moment is survival and adaptation of our facilities and procedures to enable us to operate alongside the virus, we are confident when the pandemic passes that we will have a team who can deliver a great tradition.

“The club also extends our gratitude to Graeme.  He created club history becoming the first professional at the club and for well over 30-years Graeme has dedicated his working life to Crail and all at the club will be forever grateful.

“Graeme will be missed at Crail Golfing Society but in David his successor, golf’s seventh oldest club will continue to grow in nurturing, promoting and also enriching all that is good in the ancient club-and-ball game.”

David is naturally delighted to be taking over the Head Professional reins very early in the New Year.

“I would to thank the members and staff of Crail Golfing Society, my friends and family, for all of the support and encouragement over the years.

“It is a privilege and honour to follow in the footstep of Graeme Lennie to become only the second Head Professional at this prestigious club, and I am extremely indebted to Graeme for his assistance and guidance in my now eight years at Crail.

“The messages of congratulations have been truly overwhelming and humbling.  I am extremely passionate about Crail GS and the local community and I am very excited for the journey ahead.

“Crail is an incredibly special club, with two amazing courses, a friendly and supportive membership and it is a dream come true to become the next Head Professional.”