Playing a Round with… Liam Smyth
- La Grande Mare
- Mar 10
- 3 min read
We caught up with Liam Smyth, Director of Vistas Beach Café and a member of the La Grande Mare Project team, to discuss his most terrifying and rewarding career experiences, his impressive sporting achievements, and what makes work truly enjoyable.
Where did your interest in hospitality come from?
It’s inherent - from my grandparents running their own guest house, to both parents working in hotels and private events, and my overseas family building a coffee shop and roasting franchise throughout Australia.
I also actually worked at Vazon Bay Café briefly when I was a teenager. I had the enviable task of running the Mr Whippy machine, so my progression to General Manager of Vistas is well rooted.
Can you share a memorable career highlight with us?
Many years ago, I set up my own food venture, called The Nutrition Kitchen, which was both terrifying and rewarding. It was a health food business I created, initially delivering to offices before expanding into our shop in town.
Two months before launching, I didn’t have a driving licence or know to cook for more than two people - let alone 100+ - so that was an interesting time!
What is the most enjoyable aspect of working at the Golf Performance Centre?
Seeing the standard of what’s to come. The core team we’ve built here is incredible - everyone is so dedicated to their craft that they make work a pleasure.
Can you tell us a bit about your sports background?
Basketball has probably been my biggest success; winning Most Valuable Player at one of many inter-insulars (and being robbed of another one!) is a special memory. I’ve also represented the Island at senior level in cricket and volleyball, along with attending multiple Island Games across various events.
I’ve also played Priaulx football as a teenager, and I cycled a LOT, but leading Castel to Youth Games basketball champions is probably my pinnacle.
What about golf? What sort of level are you at and how would you like to develop your game?
Like many golfers, I have a love-hate relationship with the sport! I’m relatively new and completely self-taught, blending techniques from all my other sports to butcher the beautiful game.
But with the course opening on the horizon, I am determined to spend some time with Sue to transform my game ready for a late PGA Tour card push!
What are you most looking forward to about seeing the course, and then country club open?
Quite simply… people enjoying it! Alongside Rick and his team, our course designer and contractors have created the most incredible and challenging course that I cannot wait to see people playing.
Once complete, the country club will elevate the resort to a level Guernsey has never seen - offering tranquillity, incredible food, panoramic west coast views and a much-needed new event space for the island. That will be extraordinary.
Who would you most like to play a round with and why?
I would have said my child icon, Michael Jordan - until I watched The Last Dance! But I need someone I can relax with on the course, so I think a comedian like Ricky Gervais or Adam Sandler would be hilarious.
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