De Vere honours Dave Thomas legacy

PGA Partner De Vere Hotels & Leisure are to pay a lasting tribute to renowned golf course designer Dave Thomas following his death in August.

The group are set to install a series of unique commemorative plaques at each of the courses the four-time Ryder Cup player designed across their range of UK golf resorts.

The first of four specially-designed plates was unveiled during The PGA Cup at Slaley Hall, with further pieces set to recognise the 2001 PGA Captain’s legacy at The Belfry, De Vere Mottram Hall and De Vere Oulton Hall.

Following a successful playing career, in which he finished as runner-up in the Open twice, Thomas went on to become one of the UK’s leading golf course designers, ending his career with nearly 150 courses to his name.

Of those perhaps his most famous achievement was the Brabazon course at the Belfry. Designed alongside Peter Alliss, it would go on to host the Ryder Cup on four occasions, in 1985, 1989, 1993 and 2002.

Sandy Jones, chief executive of The PGA (centre right), attended the unveiling of the plaque at Slaley Hall’s Hunting Course. He said: “Dave was a huge figure in the game of golf, firstly as a player and then as one of the leading course architects having been involved in nearly 150 designs across the world.

“He has left a lasting legacy on the game and his name will live on through a number of excellent golf courses that he lovingly created over more than five decades.

“Among his best is the Hunting Course at De Vere Slaley Hall which proved a fitting setting for the 26^th PGA Cup – one of the most memorable in its 40 year history – and we are delighted that De Vere has decided to honour Dave’s memory with a commemorative plaque.”

Daniel Hodgson, director of Golf and Leisure at De Vere (centre left), said: “Throughout his life, Dave was incredibly dedicated to everything that he turned his hand to, and his course designs are no exception.

“His memory will last forever within the game, and De Vere is truly honoured to have a number of properties that mark his craftsmanship. Our thoughts go out to his family, who I’m sure will be incredibly proud of everything that he achieved during his lifetime and we wanted to mark our respects with a plaque at each of the De Vere courses that he designed.

“Each of them presents an unforgettable experience for golfers of all ages and abilities, and we hope that Dave’s designs can assist our ambitions in growing the game at every level.”