The Golf Business

A review of October: From some clubs struggling to survive to others investing in new clubhouses, the effects of a participation boost and inflation in the last few years has been felt very differently across the industry https://lnkd.in/eDRyxqnM

The autumn budget has added to pressures that ‘could tip the scales for many golf clubs’ in the UK, an industry expert has claimed https://lnkd.in/eqCS49mA

Clive Smith, a driving force in the golf course development business in the south east in the 1980s and 90s, has died at the age of 82 following a short illness https://lnkd.in/eY-Wyy-t

Bowlee Park Driving Range will build a new covered adventure golf course, a second floor of driving range bays and an indoor golf area https://lnkd.in/efwEtpGh

Chiara Tamburlini has been crowned the 2024 ‘LET Rookie of the Year’ after an impressive first year on the Ladies European Tour (LET). The 24-year-old becomes the first player from Switzerland to win the prestigious title

Al Zorah Golf Club in the United Arab Emirates has appointed Austin Cahill as its new head of golf and Freddie Price has been appointed as the club’s new golf professional

A five-star Devon hotel has completed a five-figure round of investment in its Championship golf course so guests can take a swing all year round.   Bovey Castle has unveiled a new £40,000 all-weather heated four bay driving range to add to their 280-yard grass tee driving range which is situated next to the hotel’s picturesque 18-hole golf course.   It comes as the hotel continues to grow its golf memberships, which have increased from 140 to more than 270 since Teignmouth local Rob Selley became the hotel’s PGA Golf Manager last year alongside hosting major PGA events, including the South West PGA Open Series.   Rob, who has more than 30 years’ experience in the golf industry, said the investment marks the latest stage in the hotel’s efforts to make golf accessible to all ages and abilities.   He said: “Historically, golf has been a seasonal activity at Bovey, but now golfers of all abilities can practice all year round in beautiful surroundings.   “Now we have a high-quality sheltered practice area to complement one of the best parkland championship golf courses in the country, we are starting to explore different ways that we can nurture the next wave of golfers – such as tuition breaks, programmes for juniors and ‘get into golf’ sessions for new golfers after seeing a rise in interest in this area.   “Since the pandemic we’ve found that golf has risen in popularity – especially at Bovey – where people can get outdoors for a digital detox and exercise in picturesque surroundings, so the new sheltered driving ranges are a timely arrival.”   The hotel’s golf course was designed in 1926 by J F Abercromby, one of the finest British golf course designers of the last century, and it meanders through the hotel estate and is surrounded by idyllic landscape.   The all-weather driving ranges form part of a wider programme of investment in Bovey Castle’s golf facilities, with further works on the hotel’s golf shop and members’ area set to take place next year.   Dean Gunston, General Manager at Bovey Castle, added: “We have now created an authentic club experience where golfers can indulge in the hotel’s facilities before or after stepping on to the golf course and driving range – whether that is dining in our 1 AA rosette Smith’s Brasserie or our 3 AA rosette Great Western Grill restaurant.   “This approach has played an important role in growing our golf offering, and backed up by ongoing investment in our golf facilities, we are teeing ourselves up for further success.”   Set within 275 acres of beautiful countryside in Dartmoor National Park, North Bovey, Bovey Castle is a 5 Red Star hotel owned by luxury hotel group The Eden Hotel Collection, offering 60 bedrooms throughout the historic manor, and 22 self-catering country lodges.

The owners of the Roe Park hotel have agreed to sell the Co Derry golf resort to the Galgorm Collection https://lnkd.in/ePPf2K2v

Blaby District Council is set to approve a plan to build several houses on Blaby Golf Centre https://lnkd.in/eDA_Jaaq

The R&A has agreed a new 11-year partnership with the Scottish Government and VisitScotland who will contribute a combined £11 million towards staging The Open, AIG Women’s Open and the Senior Open in Scotland between 2024-2034.    The investment in the championships will drive tourism and showcase Scotland as a world-class stage for major events, as well as delivering significant economic and social benefits to the country and the host regions. A total of 14 championships will be held in Scotland across various venues during the term of the partnership.    The announcement coincides with the results of an independent study commissioned by The R&A which show that The 152nd Open at Royal Troon – attended by a record-breaking 258,174 fans in July – generated over £303.3 million in total economic benefit for Scotland.    The Championship provided a total economic impact of £87.3 million to Scotland – new money entering the economy – according to the study conducted by Sheffield Hallam University’s Sport Industry Research Centre (SIRC). Independent research led by YouGov Sport also showed that £216 million of destination marketing benefit was delivered for Scotland as a result of it being broadcast worldwide through linear television and digital platforms.   Today’s figures bring the total economic benefit generated by the ten stagings of The Open in Scotland since 2005 to £1.36 billion. More than two million fans have attended in that time, including 250,000 from overseas, while The R&A’s Kids go Free initiative has resulted in 230,000 young people under the age of 16 being able to access tickets at no cost.    As well as bringing economic benefits and global profile to Scotland, the agreement will also help drive positive social impacts for the country through the delivery of inclusive and responsible events, which are key priority areas outlined in the national events strategy: Scotland the Perfect Stage 2024-2035.    The R&A’s Greenlinks initiative, introduced in 2017, puts sustainability at the centre of championship staging, including a focus on low carbon by monitoring and reducing emissions; a circular economy by considering material sourcing and moving to circular use; protecting nature through reducing disturbance and enhancing the national environment; and increasing social value by delivering positive benefits for individuals and communities through golf participation, volunteering and health initiatives.     Martin Slumbers, CEO of The R&A, said, “The partnership with the Scottish Government and VisitScotland ensures continuing support for staging our championships at renowned venues around the country, reinforcing Scotland’s international reputation as the home of golf and for providing a world-class stage for hosting major sporting events."