Staffordshire Golf Club set to close

The Staffordshire Golf Club is to close this Spring after the owners of the club announced that they have been unable to find the funds to invest in the diversification of the leisure facilities at the Dudley-based venue. 

The club, which opened in 1974 and was once owned by the Earl of Dudley, has endured a difficult trading period during the pandemic and has been reliant on income from clubhouse activities such as weddings in order bring in income, while rising energy and operational costs have also led to unsustainable financial pressures.

“This has been such a difficult decision to take after being the family custodians of this historic course for more than 30 years,” explained club director Mark Allen. “The challenges of operating the site have been growing and were exacerbated by the unprecedented pressures that we all faced and continue to face during Covid-19. Major investment would have been needed to diversify activities and this was a decision we were considering when we were approached, out of the blue, by a local businessman to purchase the land and buildings.

Members have been notified of a deal to sell the club, and the expected closure will be at the beginning of May, with the members being given the option to have their fees refunded or their membership transferred to sister club Perton Park Golf Club in Wolverhampton, which is also owned by Mr Allen’s company, CC Cooper Ltd. 

Mr Allen added said: “We know there will be a lot of disappointment that we have had to close The Staffordshire, but we were left with little option. A dedicated team has been set-up to work with members, staff and event organisers to provide clear communication and to find the best possible outcome for everyone.”

The club was originally known as Blackhills Golf Club when it first opened, and then changed its name to Swindon Golf Club in 1986, before becoming The Staffordshire Golf Club in 2016.