Cowdray has reported a stellar first three-month period for its revitalised and acclaimed golf offering, headlined by record-breaking golf revenues in August.
The dynamic country Estate is reaping the rewards for significant investment in its golf facilities, including a significant development project on its 18-hole course and the opening of a ‘reimagined’ Par-3 Course in June.
Throughout the summer, the Par-3 Course – a five-hole layout with each mimicking a green complex on the main course – has been consistently popular with members and guests, often as a warm-up before playing the 18-hole course. With every hole easily reachable from the tee, the course is accessible to a vast range of ages and abilities, including new golfers looking for a stepping stone to playing a full round.
The Par-3 Course has also been an immediate hit with other members of the local community, including those who are new to the game. In September, the facility has been busy with students and families from nearby schools visiting in the evenings, and weekends continue to be busy as more and more people turn to the club as they look to get into the sport. Cowdray has also created a new Academy Membership category, which has been well received.
Cowdray’s million-pound investment project also included significant enhancements to the championship course led by Swan Golf Designs. Bunkers across the layout were reconstructed and reshaped, while the unique double green serving holes seven and 14 was restored to breathe new life into the 118-year-old course.
Tim Allen, Director of Golf at Cowdray, said: “Everyone at Cowdray has been determined to elevate our golf offering over the last year and beyond, so we’re very pleased to see that hard work paying off with the great feedback we’ve received and how busy the courses have been in recent months.
“The focus now is very much on continuing to find ways to improve and make the experience even better for everyone who comes to play golf at Cowdray, regardless of age or skill level.”
Further investment into the Estate’s golf offering is already in the works, with construction of a new simulator planned as part of a state-of-the-art indoor golf studio to aid player development. The venue has also joined the growing list of golf clubs set to trial electric robot mowers, which have demonstrated significant environmental and financial benefits in recent years.
Cowdray – which is also home to an award-winning farm shop, world-renowned Polo Club and more – is a 16,000-acre Estate with sweeping views over the South Downs. Centred around Cowdray House, an exclusive events venue with 22 bedrooms and 110 acres of private garden, the Estate sits just an hour from London and its major airports.