New Mills Golf Club

April 2011 - Welcome to sunny New Mills!

by Tom James

New Mills Golf Club is delighted to welcome new Steward and Stewardess, John and Liz Longworth to the club.

For the last 13 years John and Liz have been licensees of the ‘Devonshire Arms’ Mellor where they built up a regular clientele and an excellent reputation for serving good quality, attractively presented and sensibly priced food. Before moving to the Devonshire Arms John and Liz were landlord and landlady for 14 years, of the ‘Duke of York’ on the Ashbourne Road outside Buxton.

With over a quarter of a century’s experience in the trade they know their business and have built up a considerable following. John and Liz who have two grown up boys, one aged 24 and the other aged 17 are looking forward to their move to New Mills and particularly to the challenge and opportunity to open the golf club to a much wider range of customers than just the golf-playing members.

As someone who is not a golfer Liz said she had preconceptions about what a golf club was like and has been totally surprised by what she has discovered. “I suppose I imagined a rather stuffy environment with dark brown panelled walls and photos of captain’s past and present and trophy boards cluttering the room, frequented by a lot of rather serious old men in checked jumpers. The reality couldn’t be farther from the truth. Sure there are photos but these are in the foyer and the trophy boards are tucked away well out of sight of the main dining area. You’d have to know where to look if you wanted to find them. The dining room is really bright and spacious and can comfortably accommodate up 160 people. Outside the views across the course and the surrounding hill are absolutely stunning”.

As for the members, both Liz and John have been overwhelmed by the warmth and friendliness of the people they have met. Already, prior to taking over full time, they have organised two superb dinners for the members as well as  supporting several other social events including a wonderful traditional ‘Lancashire hot pot ‘ at a recently packed evening of live Celtic music. Towards the end of May there will be a ‘Classic Car’ Day which John, who is a member of the H and H Classic Car club will be helping to organise.

As well as offering regular Sunday lunches for families and couples John and Liz see their principal aim of offering customers, whether they are golfers or not a really nice dining experience. So whether it’s mid-week lunch, a breakfast,  a bar snack or a celebration of a special family event like a wedding, a birthday or the celebration of a loved one’s  life John and Liz look forward to welcoming new customers to the club. As they both emphasised “You don’t have to have the remotest interest in golf to come and eat with us. Forget the stuffy image of golf clubs and the funny handshakes. It isn’t like this at all!”

For more information visit the club’s website ring John and Liz who will be glad to show you the dining room, discuss your requirements or simply provide you with a nice dining experience.