Rich pickings for the culture vultures
Dreams do come true. My childhood dream of playing golf at Augusta National, home of the US Masters, has come true. On 22 March, days before the course closes in preparation for this year's event, I will tee up for the experience of a lifetime.
March and April will be emotionally packed months. Soon after returning from Augusta, my wife is expecting our third child.
April will see Barnsley hosting the 2001 Atlanta Steeplechase. A crowd in excess of 25,000 is expected, and the who's who of Atlanta high society will be attending.
This should help raise our profile in the marketplace. Not only will we host the pre-event cocktail party, but we'll also have a corporate marquee and two private suites for viewing the action. Not unlike Ascot, the day is packed with fun-filled events, beautiful people and far too much Champagne, fine wine and exquisite food.
Given that Atlanta is still a relatively new city and only hit the limelight with the '96 Olympics, there is still a limit to the arts and cultural events here. So there's an opportunity to make Barnsley Gardens the cultural centre of the south.
We have a beautiful 10-acre meadow, naturally shaped like an amphitheatre, on which stands an open-air stage. We have recently released our calendar of events for 2001 and plan to offer weekend concerts on the lawn, complete with, blankets, picnic baskets and well-chilled bottles of wine.
We are also bringing in drama groups from around the country, starting with two performances of Macbeth in May. The stage will be our Manor House Ruins - the perfect setting for such a play.
Ultimately, we see an annual Barnsley Gardens festival, packed full of performances for all ages.
Situated in an old log cabin, the Outpost, our new sports activity booking centre is proving a hit. Here, guests can register for activities and collect their equipment, or relax over tea, browse through our fishing and hunting books, and look at our gift selection.
As from 1 April, we will also be offering hiking, mountain biking, horse-riding, shooting, fishing, golf and tennis, in addition to the more relaxing pastime of lying by the pool or being pampered in the spa.
EUAN McGLASHAN is general manager of the Barnsley Inn &Golf Resort, north of Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Next diary from Euan McGlashan: 26 April
