New Golf Operations Manager appointed at Noosa Springs

Peter Marchant, one of Queensland’s best-known sommeliers recently made a dramatic career change and became Noosa Springs’ Golf Operations Manager, says he’s happier in his new job than he’s ever been.

He began at Noosa Springs in late September, heading a new-look team in the resort’s Golf Shop, alongside former tournament professional Tamara Johns.

“I’m enjoying working with such an enthusiastic staff and for members who genuinely love their golf,” he said. “The feedback so far from them has been very positive.”

Mr Marchant, who worked for Spicers Retreats for six years, including a stint as general manager of its Clovelly Estate property at Montville, rekindled his love of golf during a Covid-enforced break from the hospitality industry.

“I was based at Peregian and began playing regularly there,” he said.

(Peter Marchant contemplates his new career in golf.)

Then, when a position was advertised for a casual golf attendant at Noosa Springs a few months ago, he decided the time was right to follow a new career direction.

“I thought it might open up some opportunities in the future,” he said.

It certainly did. When the role of Golf Operations Manager became vacant, Mr Marchant’s colleagues encouraged him to throw his hat in the ring.

“I don’t have a PGA background, of course, but my past experiences have given me the skills to do the job,” he said. “And I have the greatest respect for Tamara Johns, who has a strong professional golfing background.”

“The Noosa Springs Golf Shop is an exceptional operation,” he said. “But I believe we have a great opportunity to build on what’s already been achieved and, where necessary, to challenge tradition.

“I respect tradition and I don’t plan to change things for the sake of it,” he said. “But you should always assess performance and consider what things can be done better.”

Mr Marchant’s working life began helping his mother in her Brisbane catering business when he was nine. He worked in a local fish and chip shop at 12, became a waiter at Bardon’s Avanti restaurant at 17, and traveled Europe, where he developed a career in food and beverage.

He managed and owned a number of Brisbane cafes and restaurants and won numerous state and national awards.

For a man who was certified by Australia’s Court of Master Sommeliers in 2007, served as state chairman and a member of the national executive of Sommeliers Australia for five years and was selected as a scholar for the world’s most exclusive wine school, the Len Evans Tutorial, Mr Marchant is remarkably down-to-earth.

He claims he doesn’t really know much about wine except that it promotes happiness and joy, insists his favourite beverage is a cold beer and admits he has a lot to learn about his new role.

But he pledges to listen to the views of people, tackles the task with enthusiasm and a sense of fun – and play as much golf as the job allows.