How A Greenkeeper Became Dunstanburgh Castle Co-Owner

In this week’s episode of the NCG Top 100s Podcast, host Tom Irwin travels to the stunning Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club, where he sits down with co-owner Stuart Imeson, a figure who as a unique career path.

Stuart shares the remarkable story of his rise through the ranks at Dunstanburgh. Starting as a Greenkeeping Apprentice, he became Course Manager at just 18 years old, later taking on the role of General Manager during a challenging period for the club. Working closely with the club’s owner, he helped guide Dunstanburgh through financial and operational uncertainty - experience that ultimately paved the way to becoming a co-owner of the golf club.

The co-owner provides rare insight into the real costs of owning and running a golf club, and explains how Dunstanburgh supports other local clubs by offering machinery rentals.

Tom and Stuart also discuss Dunstanburgh's rapid rise in popularity, shining a spotlight on why the North East of England remains one of golf’s most underrated destinations. They argue that the region’s golf offering rivals the famed North West coast in quality - yet at a level of value for money that’s increasingly rare in the UK. The pair celebrate the unique charm of Northumberland, where rugged landscapes and genuine hospitality create a memorable backdrop for golf.

They also discuss how Dunstanburgh continues to evolve - both in terms of course conditioning and visitor experience - and the innovative ways the team is continuing to boost the club’s profile.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.