Michael Wells, Chief Executive of Carnoustie Golf Links, began his career in the golf industry in 1999 working for The R&A in the Championship team. Joining at an exciting time, Michael’s role encompassed all aspects of major event staging focused on The Open in particular. His role evolving into a diverse range of responsibilities and collaborations including staging, commercial, hospitality joint ventures, digital and broadcast, and sales and marketing in his role as Director of Championship staging. During a huge period of growth and innovation, many projects were delivered including claiming the world’s first multi-cast live streamed sports event, transforming The Opens commercial sponsorship deals, and re-branding The Open in 2015, to announcing Royal Portrush’s return as an Open venue in 2019 after 51 years.

With many successful Open Championships with The R&A under his belt, Michael moved on to the next stage in his career and in 2017, at the age of 37, Michael was successfully appointed as Carnoustie Golf Links first Chief Executive and tasked with hosting the 147th Open Championship in 2018, this time on the other side of the ropes!

In the past seven years at Carnoustie, there have been many challenges to overcome, arguably, the most difficult being navigating the business through a global pandemic. However, Michael and his team persisted with their ambitions to strengthen Carnoustie’s global brand presence, found strategic partnerships and have successfully grown revenues by 150%.

Carnoustie Golf Links is now moving onto its next chapter as it looks to partner with private equity to significantly develop the hotel and spa facilities and secure the return of The Open.