Crown Golf will return Cottesmore Hotel, Golf & Country Club back to its landlord. when the lease expires on the property next month.
On July 1st 2013 the 36-hole West Sussex venue, which operates a successful membership club, a 21-bedroom hotel and a health club with a pool and two tennis courts, will revert back to the Rogerson family, who originally built the club in 1975.
Current General Manager Matthew Hazelden, who has been in charge at Cottesmore for two years, will remain at the club, and will continue to manage the facility’s day-to-day operations. Estate and Finance Manager Johnny Porter will, in addition to his normal duties, manage the transition between owners, and both will work with landlord Matthew Rogerson on the future development of the property.
Crown Golf, the UK’s largest owner-operator of golf clubs, has traded at Cottesmore Hotel, Golf & Country Club since 2004, when the company bought American Golf (AGUK) and its portfolio of properties.
On the decision to return the club to the original landlord, Chief Executive Stephen Lewis said: “When we bought Cottesmore, we inherited nine remaining years of a short-term, 15-year lease. Matthew Rogerson had always intended to take the club back under his family’s control, when the initial lease expired, so after our successful period of stewardship I am pleased that the club is reverting to family ownership.
“I would like to thank our members, customers, and staff for their loyalty over the last nine years, and I wish them continued enjoyment of the beautiful Cottesmore Hotel, Golf & Country Club as it reverts to its original creators.”
After the transfer of ownership, members at Cottesmore will continue to enjoy ‘Open Play’ playing rights at all Crown Golf courses as one of their chief membership benefits.
The Rogersons, a local farming family, created Cottesmore in tranquil surroundings which were originally designed by landscape architect Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, and its two tree-lined golf courses wind around classically idyllic English parklands. A popular local venue for weddings, meetings and other functions, the facility is located one mile from Junction 11 of the M23 motorway, just 15 minutes from GatwickAirport.
Cottesmore Golf & Country Club www.cottesmoregolf.co.uk
Crown Golf www.crown-golf.co.uk