Crown Golf has acquired Merrist Wood Golf Club, Worplesdon, Surrey. The purchase price was not disclosed. Commenting on the acquisition, John Weir, chief executive of Crown Golf, said, “We have great admiration for what former owners Paddy and Sue Flavin have achieved at the club and feel privileged to be part of the next stage of the clubs development.
“Merrist Wood Golf course is laid out in nearly 250 acres and David Williams the course designer has created a golf course that will reward golfers of all standards. Merrist Wood members can now also benefit from ‘Platinum Card’ membership, a unique Crown Golf benefit giving playing rights to all 54 courses offering the variety and challenge golfers thrive on.”
Paddy Flavin who will be working for Crown Golf on a number of their property developments, including St Mellion in Cornwall, said, “I am particularly excited to have sold Merrist Wood to an organisation with the resources and management to take the club to the next level”.
Crown Golf are the largest owner/operator of golf courses in Europe with 54 courses and now 31 clubs. The company also operates four health and fitness clubs and three hotels. The acquisition of Merrist Wood Golf Club follows the successful integration of the American Golf UK portfolio, purchased from Goldman Sachs in 2004.
Crown Golf are embarking on an active expansion program to increase their current portfolio of golf clubs and Merrist Wood represents the first in a pipeline of acquisitions and development the Group are working on.
Commenting on the acquisition, Matthew Lynwood, property director of Crown Golf, said, “We are pleased to acquire Merrist Wood, a quality course in a great location. We wish to continue our growth and are reviewing a number of further locations for acquisition during 2006.”
Although largely based in the south east of England, Crown operate courses in the Midlands, north west and south west.
Crown Golf www.crown-golf.co.uk
Crown Golf acquires Merrist Wood Golf Club
