Are you dreaming of a career that offers variety and the opportunity to progress and make your mark? Loch Lomond Golf Club have lots to offer! Laura MacDonald tells us how her placement in the prestigious golf club’s graduate programme has set her up for a career for life
I graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University in 2013 with an Honours Degree in Management, Technology and Enterprise. I knew I wanted to learn more about management and enhance these skills in the real world.
I applied for Graduate Management roles throughout Glasgow, however when I saw Loch Lomond Golf Club’s graduate position advertised I was instantly interested and drawn in by the prestige and reputation of the Club. The hotel side of hospitality had always interested me in my personal life, so I thought it would be exciting to learn the operational side of the hospitality world.
I applied for the job and was lucky enough to take part in a 24-hour recruitment and selection experience which allowed candidates to get a feel of Loch Lomond with an overnight stay and dining, along with personal interviews, group tasks and other elements. I was instantly sold with the beautiful location and concept of Loch Lomond Golf Club.
Rotations
I was lucky enough to be offered a position as a Graduate Management Trainee and started working at Loch Lomond Golf Club in March 2014. In my first season, I started with a rotational programme of each of the front facing departments beginning with Front of House (reception and concierge), onto the Golf Retail, Fine Dining and Spikes Bar (casual dining). I quickly learned that hard work was going to be the key success in my role. This along with flexibility and teamwork is what Loch Lomond is all about.
One thing that everyone loves about working at Loch Lomond Golf Club is the people. You meet the most amazing staff members who all have a really great attitude to working life. The teamwork and friendly approach to one another is what has kept me here for four years. I have managed to make great friends that I will keep for life.
Not only did I meet great colleagues but the members and guests that come to the Club are very interesting and influential people in society. Given that most of them have experienced the best of hospitality around the world, they are still really wowed by what they see at the Club which makes you proud to work in this environment.
Different departments
During my first winter at the club, I experienced working in the support departments which are the backbone of the success of teams working in customer- facing roles. I spent time in Club’s Reservations, Housekeeping, IT, Maintenance, Florist (where I spent an amazing week putting up Christmas decorations!!), HR, Accounts and even the Kitchen. This was an unbelieve opportunity as it allowed me to see how different departments interconnect and how what you do in one can really affect the other. It made me more aware and sensitive to other departments needs and how the need for effective communication is key.
My second season in the club was spent in our Fine dining department. I was put in a supervisor’s role, where I got to work closely with the managers in the restaurant and events. I managed to rack up some good knowledge of wines and of course food. There was a great team which I was also able to manage and train and pass on what I had learnt throughout my time at the club.
As the end of my second season was fast approaching and my graduate programme was coming to an end, the reservations team had an opening for an Events Co-ordinator. My hard work and dedication had paid off and I was offered the role within this team. I spent two years in this role developing and beginning my career as an events co-ordinator which I thoroughly enjoyed. During the close of my fourth season at the club, I got the travel bug and decided to try and move to a company that would potentially in the future allow me to travel and I am now moving onto working for the Hilton Group.
This would have never been possible if it wasn’t for my time spent at the Club and I will be forever grateful for my training and my experiences that Loch Lomond Golf Club has given me. I would urge anyone who wants a successful career in hospitality to join the Club as it will always work as a solid platform to your career, whatever industry you choose to join after.
Find out more about opportunities with Loch Lomond Golf Club at www.lochlomondrecruitment.com
