Crown Golf has announced an addition to its impressive portfolio of clubs with the purchase of one of the country’s most successful ‘pay-and-play‘ courses, Pine Ridge GC, in Surrey, for an undisclosed figure.
The superb 18 hole, 6,400 yard par 72 golf course is set within a mature pine forest at Frimley, Camberley, and appears regularly in independent surveys as one of the UK’s top ten public courses for quality and value. Pine Ridge is one of the most popular golf venues in the country with pay-and-play golfers and societies. It features a 36-bay floodlit driving range, pro-shop, magnificent 30,000 sq ft clubhouse and function rooms – including a medieval baronial hall.
Pine Ridge GC was created by Clive Smith from a derelict and virgin forest with the aim of constructing a golf facility for the enjoyment of the general public. The driving range opened in 1991, followed a year later by the course.
In 15 years, it has established itself as a premier golf location with excellent playing, teaching and practice facilities. Thousands of society golfers enjoy its first-rate bars, function rooms and banqueting suite every year. Unusually, Pine Ridge GC is also home to a thriving, 6-lane tenpin bowling alley.
Clive said, “Having commenced the construction of the course, driving range and clubhouse from a derelict, virgin forest in 1988 is it obviously with some sadness that I am now leaving all this behind.
“But Crown Golf is a company with an outstanding reputation who I know will treat the golfing clientele and visitors to the club in a professional and welcoming manner. I also know that the Crown Golf management will look after the members of staff very well.”
Crown Golf executive director, John Weir, said, “Pine Ridge is one of the most successful golf operations in the south east of England, with huge potential for further development.
“It is an outstanding golf venue that fits perfectly with our existing portfolio and we are excited by the prospect of playing an integral role in the next stage of the club’s development.
“Crown Golf seeks constantly to expand our portfolio of prime golf venues. The purchase of Pine Ridge gives as another fantastic course, with a massive customer base and a top quality clubhouse. It is the ideal acquisition.”
Crown Golf, voted 2007’s Golf Group of the Year in a recent industry poll, is the UK’s largest golf course owner and operator, with 33 properties in its portfolio and more than 50 courses. With pride in customer service and innovation, it aims to provide an outstanding golf experience for its members and visitors, tailor-made to suit the lifestyles and needs of a wide range of golfers.
This is the second time this year that Clive Smith has hit headlines. He has been a race horse owner for twenty years and hit the jackpot in March when ‘Kauto Star’, acquired for 400,000 euros in the summer of 2004, having started this year’s Cheltenham Golf Cup as a red hot 5/4 favourite, won the prestigious race by two and a half lengths.
Pine Ridge www.pineridgegolf.co.uk
Crown Golf www.crown-golf.co.uk