Familiar Faces, New Beginnings

While focus is firmly fixed on La Grande Mare’s future, two people who have lived and breathed the project from the very beginning are Operations Manager Fay Boyd and Events Co-ordinator Bonny Hamilton. We sat down with them for a chat about La Grande Mare’s history, their pure enjoyment of playing on the new course and what makes the team behind the project so special.

Can you tell us a bit about your roles at La Grande Mare?

Bonny: I’m part of the project management team and was heavily involved in the construction of the golf course. That phase of my role is now coming to an end, which means I can focus more on the buildings as they go up, the business plan, and ensuring we maximise everything we’ve created across the estate.

Fay: I’m also part of the project management and environmental teams, working closely with the greenkeeping and landscaping teams to coordinate their work. In addition, I manage the day-to-day operations of the Golf Performance Centre, including events, services, and future corporate activities, which we’re really excited about.

You both have long associations with the previous La Grande Mare. What did you enjoy most about working there?

Bonny: My involvement goes back many years, initially as a member and later working closely with the previous ownership. During Covid, I helped manage the hotel’s closure and kept the clubhouse running for golfers. It was a challenging time, but also incredibly rewarding to support the team and maintain continuity during that period.

Fay: I started out helping in the golf office for a few hours a week, organising competitions and communications. With my background in operational management, I began introducing new ideas that were really well received by members. It grew organically from there, and we became a strong team well before the new La Grande Mare project even began.

What’s going to be different about the new La Grande Mare?

Fay: I hope we’ll retain the same friendly, warm, and welcoming atmosphere people remember, but everything else will be elevated. The quality, the experience, and the ambition behind the project are on a completely different level. It will offer something Guernsey hasn’t seen before. We have our strapline, ‘Always Extraordinary’, and I think that will cover every element of what we do.

Bonny: From my perspective, it all starts with the golf course. It’s a world-class facility, built with exceptional materials and attention to detail. That standard sets the benchmark for the rest of the estate, and everything else - like the Golf Performance Centre and the future country club - matches or exceeds that high spec.

Sustainability has been a major focus - can you tell us a bit more about that?

Bonny: Sustainability runs through the entire estate, not just the golf course. From the positioning of buildings and lighting design to ecological planning, every detail has been considered. We work closely with our on-site ecologist, Grace, and are actively documenting wildlife and plant diversity to build a long-term ecological portfolio. We’re learning as we go, which is a fantastic experience.

Fay: This approach really comes from the unique environment we’re in and the legacy to protect it. This land will always be either a golf course or a natural landscape, and we feel a responsibility to preserve it. The sustainability policy grew naturally from that mindset - this place is very special, and we want to keep it that way.

How have former members reacted to the Golf Performance Centre and early glimpses of the course?

Fay: The reaction has been incredible. Around 500 former members came to see the Golf Performance Centre before it officially opened. People had seen drawings before, but seeing the building in person completely exceeded expectations. The quality really took people by surprise; it was fantastic, and I can only imagine what they will be like when they see the golf course and country club.

Bonny: We were also able to take members onto part of the golf course, which was incredibly special for them as golfers. Even in the rain, everyone wanted to go out and see it. The reactions were genuinely emotional - there were big smiles, amazement, and a real appreciation for what’s been created.

What are you enjoying most about seeing the project take shape?

Fay: It feels like a phoenix rising from the ashes. Watching something so beautiful emerge after everything was demolished is incredibly exciting. The Golf Performance Centre is just the beginning - there’s so much more to come, and the energy around the project is amazing.

Bonny: For me, it’s deeply personal having been involved in building the course from the ground up, it feels like watching your baby grow up! Seeing it mature, with the landscaping come together and the wildlife thriving, is incredibly rewarding. The standard of work from the greenkeeping and landscaping teams is phenomenal. We’ve got an incredible team here and everyone is completely dedicated and emotionally invested in the entire project, which is really special.

How do you think visitors will respond to the new La Grande Mare?

Bonny: There will be something for everyone. Golfers will come for the course, but non-golfers will enjoy the wellness facilities, restaurants, gym, and social spaces. It will, hopefully, become a destination in its own right and a real asset for Guernsey.

Fay: Guernsey already has huge appeal - its coastline, history, and natural beauty. La Grande Mare will complement that and could even be the reason people choose to visit the island. It adds another compelling layer to what Guernsey can offer.

Finally, as golfers yourselves, how did it feel to play the new course?

Fay: It was incredible! From the first tee to the last hole, it was pure enjoyment. You’ll never play the same round twice because of the weather and course design - it’s a thinking person’s course, and that’s what makes it so exciting.

Bonny: The course may not be championship length, but it’s built to PGA-level standards. The design challenges decision-making, with multiple shot options on every hole. That element of choice and doubt is exactly what makes it such a special and memorable course.

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