Crown Golf has sold six of its golf clubs in the south of England to rival golf group Get Golfing.
The sale, which is mix of freehold and leasehold properties, comprises three clubs in Surrey – Hampton Court Palace, Oak Park and Pyrford (pictured above); Sherfield Oaks in Hampshire; Mill Green in Hertfordshire, and The Bristol Golf Club in Gloucestershire.
Stephen Towers, CEO of Crown Golf, said: “The sale of these courses is the culmination of a strategic restructure, which allows us to focus investment on core sites with both golf and leisure, as well as development opportunities. We have greatly enjoyed being custodians of these clubs, and are very pleased to have found a buyer who is committed to the game of golf, and to taking the Clubs on the next stage of their golfing journey.”
The sale leaves Crown Golf with 11 clubs in its portfolio – Pine Ridge, Addington Court, Merrist Wood, Mill Green, Milford, South Winchester, Sunbury, Wickham Park, Batchworth Park and St Mellion.
Get Golfing was set up in 2018 as an incorporated charity with the specific purpose of increasing participation in golf. The company took over the lease of Warley Park Golf Club in Essex in April this year, and Redlibbets Golf Club in Kent in December 2018, with the latest purchases taking its portfolio of golf clubs to eight.
Ben Allen of HMH, the property agents which handled the sale, said: “It is encouraging for the golf market to report this landmark sale, especially at times of uncertainty. This confidential disposal was brought about by our ability to match our understanding of a client’s long-term objectives, with our detailed knowledge of specialist purchaser requirements in this niche sector. This acquisition makes Get Golfing one of the country’s leading golf operators. We wish the charity and its staff every success with these clubs and its future expansion plans.”