Introducing Dave Murphy Men’s Captain for 2019

This week we sat down with our men’s Golf Captain Dave Murphy ahead of the golfing season to find out a few fun facts…

So Dave, how did you get into golf and when did you start playing golf?

That’s a good question. I can recall the “where”, but the “when” is bit more vague, so let’s go with “About 40 years ago” I was working in Widnes and was invited by a work colleague to join the 5.00 a.m group from the factory on the first tee at St Mike’s Municipal Golf Course. Golf at the “muni” was a contest between you, the kids and the chemicals as to who got to your ball first, but I was quickly hooked. Golf in those days was a fairly exclusive domain and definitely required an official handicap beyond municipal excursions and my first encounter with “real” golf was at Carden Park, 20 plus years ago and my first handicap was awarded by our very own Dave Cooper at a rather uncharacteristically generous 23, rapidly cut as I learned the new meaning of the word “bandit”.

With plenty of golfers to choose from, who is your favourite? Do you take inspiration from anybody?

Another good question and I’m not altogether sure inspiration plays a role in my game, but that aside, Justin Rose has always seemed to me to be a “what you see is what you get” sort of golfer.

What is your most memorable moment during a game? 

That’s difficult – but at the risk of seeming to have a very short memory, winning the Belgrave Trophy last year has to be up there, although I would openly admit there were definitely matches were my opponent lost rather than I won – self-inflicted defeat seems to be a feature of most levels of golf and one very familiar to me also.

What is your favourite hole to play at Carden Park?

Finally an easy question – for me, the 17th – an absolute delight and so rewarding when it goes well, but over quickly when it doesn’t.

Tell us about the chosen membership charity this year and is there a particular reason you chose this charity?

Claire House happens (by complete coincidence) to be the charity adopted by Carden Park also this year and Deb Fell, our Lady Captain, and I are hoping the combined efforts will swell their funds matching the magnificently generous efforts of the preceding years. As to why, the work and the support the Charity has given to young people dealing with such serious problems and the respite and help they provide to the families involved has really impressed us.

And finally, do you have any tips for the perfect game?

Technically, no, but in my opinion, at my level, golf is first and foremost a game, so when you can, play with friends.  The best games go to the 18th and often finish drawn which leaves all parties satisfied and ready for the liquid 19th and the reflections of putts missed and “if only” moments. Whatever the outcome, try to never leave the course in a worse place than you entered it, there are a lot of folk who’d give their all to swap with you – we are a very privileged few and we have two beautiful courses to enjoy.

Introducing Dave Murphy – Men’s Captain for 2019

Find out more about our golf memberships at our membership page or call the team on 01829 731600.


@cardenpark

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🌸 𝓦𝓘𝓝 an incredible spa escape for 2 🌸

Mother's Day is next weekend and to celebrate, we're in the giving mood. This is your chance to treat the mother figure in your life to a perfectly relaxing 𝗦𝗽𝗮 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 2

The prize:
🌿 Morning or afternoon in the spa garden and thermal suite
🌿 Evening meal in either Redmond's Brasserie or The Vines
🌿 Luxurious overnight stay
🌿 Breakfast the following morning

To enter:
✨ Like this post
✨ Follow @cardenpark
✨ Tag who you'd bring
✨ Share to your stories (if you have a private profile just DM us a screenshot)

For a bonus entry, head to our Facebook page

Competition closes at 11:59pm on Sunday 8th March 2026 and the winner will be announced on Monday 9th March. Good luck! 🍀

𝗪𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗡𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 - 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘀. 𝗪𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁, @𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸

T&Cs
Winner will be chosen at random and contacted directly by @cardenpark on Monday 9th March 2026
Open to UK residents and over 18s only
Prize is a Garden Retreat Voucher for 2 and is valid for 12 months from the date of issue
Prize is subject to availability 
Prize does not include transport to and from Carden Park
Non-transferable and no cash alternative will be given

For full terms and conditions please visit the link in our bio

Competition is in no way endorsed by Instagram, Facebook or Meta
Oh, what a night 🍴🥂🧑‍🍳

Last week's Supper Club in The Vines was a truly spectacular evening. It was an honour to welcome Guy de Rivoire from Champagne Bollinger, who shared his in-depth knowledge of their incredible wines
 and how each glass was perfectly paired with the menu. Our wonderful chefs treated our guests to a journey of flavour, showcasing their exceptional cooking techniques. 

If you missed out on this delicious evening, our next Supper Club takes place on Friday 27th March. Expect another beautiful menu from our Executive Head Chef, Harri Williams, and Head Chef, Cyril Gabriel. Enhance your experience with an optional wine flight created by our Vines team. Tables are limited so book your place now to save disappointment, the link is in our bio 👆

🍽️ The Vines at Carden Park Hotel // Fine dining in Cheshire // 3 AA Rosette restaurants // Where to eat in Chester // Gourmet food // Dining event @champagne_bollinger
Find a little magic just for the mother figure in your life 🪄

From sumptuous dining to sparkling spa experiences, we have everything Mum could need right here 💐

Mother's Day // Spa day in Cheshire // Sunday lunch // Family time // Afternoon tea // Fine dining // Spa treatment // Spa break // The Spa at Carden Park Hotel
Say hello to our 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗽𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 🌿

Welcome the new season in the spa garden as it blooms to life and enjoy an escape away this spring. What's included:
💚 A morning in the spa garden and thermal suite
💚 50 minute Rainforest Ritual treatment
💚 Sarti Spritz or non alcoholic alternative
💚 Overnight stay
💚 Evening meal in Redmond's Brasserie or The Vines
💚 Breakfast the following morning

Book your Spring Enchantment retreat at the link in our bio

🌿 Spring spa day // Spa break // Luxury spa hotel // Spa breaks in Cheshire // The Spa at Carden Park Hotel
Bringing you the perfect newlywed celebration 💒

Imagine beginning your marital journey in our iconic spa. For a limited time only, couples who confirm their wedding with us before the end of this year will receive a complimentary full day spa garden experience for two. Available for couples who book either our Classic or Signature wedding packages.

Learn more at the link in our bio ⬆️

Don't forget to save the date and join us for our next wedding open day 🗓️ Friday 27th February ⏰ 3pm to 8pm 💍

Carden Park Weddings // Countryside wedding // Hotel wedding // Bride and groom // Honeymoon // Mini-moon

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