HMH Golf & Leisure reports the sale of Spofforth Golf Course (Manor Farm) in North Yorkshire.
The sale, which completed just prior to the recent budget, is the tenth golf course sold by HMH so far this year and is testament to the ongoing strength of the golf property market.
Situated in the much sought after ‘golden triangle’ between Harrogate, Leeds and York, Spofforth Golf Course (Manor Farm) is an impressive residential and leisure property that has been operated as a pay-and-play golf course since the early 1990s. The business was created by the late T Hartley and was sold on behalf of his executors in the open market.
The freehold property comprises an 18-hole, 6,176-yard, par-72 golf course, 6-bay driving range, reception building, 12,500 sq ft of farm buildings, a 4-bed bungalow and a studio apartment – all set in approximately 130 acres.
One of the main questions at the launch of the sale was whether the property would remain as a golf course or be acquired for alternative residential/agricultural use. Lister Haigh, locally based residential and agricultural joint agents, covered these alternative markets. The property has been sold to the Curtis family, who intend to keep Spofforth Golf Course in golf use and enhance the facilities on site.
Ben Allen, director at HMH, said: “Spofforth Golf Course attracted interest from a wide range of buyers – golf and other users – and it is pleasing that the future of this golf facility has been ensured.”
He added: “This year is proving to be a particularly successful year for HMH, with ten sales already completed and another five properties currently under offer. Thankfully, the recent rise in capital gains tax announced in the autumn budget was far lower than many feared and doesn’t seem to be dampening vendors’ desire to continue with sales or bring new properties to market.”
John Haigh at Lister Haigh said: “It is always a pleasure to sell a property to a family with a vision, in this case to further develop and expand the golf course, and perhaps introduce a sheep flock.”
Martin Curtis, speaking on behalf of the new owners, said: “As a family partnership we are delighted to have bought Spofforth Golf Club (Manor Farm). We have already started working on plans for the future, and know we have a lot of hard work ahead of us.
“The potential to do something special is exciting and with a clear goal in mind we look to the future with confidence. Rumour has it that a flock of sheep may be brought in to help keep the grass cut and fertilised. As a Council Member of King Charles III’s Campaign for Wool it would be rather fitting if we could make that happen!”
For information on similar properties available for sale though HMH, call Ben Allen on 07887 804430, email ben@hmhgolf.com or visit www.hmhgolfandleisure.com