Top honours for Reading once again

READING Country Club has once again had the astonishing achievement of receiving two top honours at the 2015 Ekurhuleni Golf Union’s Awards Evening.

Club professional, Donovan Main (30) received the highest honour as Club Professional of the Year whilst Reading’s food and beverage manager, Stuart McLaren (46), was awarded Caterer of the Year.

Donovan, who joined Reading Country Club in 2011, can be described as an excellent all-rounder in the golf industry. Not only is he club pro playing off a five handicap, but he is also a renowned coach, helping golfers from beginners upwards with understanding and shaping their game. Donovan owns the pro shop, Mainly Golf, at Reading, where you are sure to find the latest attire and sound advice.

Dave Smith, manager at Reading Country Club said; “Donovan is the epitome of a dedicated, hard-working, loyal club professional. His knowledge and know-how are second to none and his skills in club fitting, repairs, coaching and assisting customers in every aspect of their game, bring golfers from all over the region and even further afield to his shop.”

Donovan took up the game at the age of 18 when he started working as a pro shop assistant at a golf course in Richards Bay. “There was no turning back,” he says and in 2011 he completed his three-year PGA diploma, qualifying as a club professional. Donovan is married to Marianka, who fortunately understands the many challenges a professional in this industry can be subjected to.

Dave says that Stuart has blossomed in the last year. “When our food and beverage manager left Reading in 2014, we took some time to find a suitable replacement. Despite being the bar manager and having a full workload, Stuart stepped up and took it upon himself to fill the gap. For three months he worked up to 17 hours a day and we run a record number of functions and golf days, breaking all targets.”

“Throughout my working career, I have been in the hospitality industry,” says Stuart. He worked in a Holiday Inn and a Sun International hotel before he ventured into the golf club industry. He has worked at Zebula, Randpark, Pollack Park Germiston Country Club and eventually Reading where he now enjoys the support of the whole club. “Our halfway house has been transformed under his tenure and functions are thriving with numerous compliments from satisfied customers,” says Dave.

And just so that he can keep up with the golfers, Stuart manages a game of golf every now and again, playing off an eight handicap and justifiably proud of it.