Playgolf Group, which operates a combination of golf courses, driving ranges, gyms, restaurants and hospitality facilities at venues in Essex, Surrey and Dorset, has reported record returns in 2020, as golf continues to experience a boom across the UK.
Its golf courses in Leatherhead, Colchester, Bournemouth and Addlestone have all seen an upswing in membership, revenue and usage. Even after 77 days of lockdown in the Spring, numbers have sprung back beyond expectation. For example, The Leatherhead Club has seen a 40% year-on-year increase in new members, while Playgolf Colchester has seen a 50% year-on-year increase in visitor footfall.
Playgolf company director Ali Saud said: “All of our courses have seen a surge in membership and visitor footfall. It has given us the financial freedom to invest heavily in each, improving them over the winter, to make playing golf on every hole even more enjoyable. In the short term, the group is focused solely on growing golf participation”
Although the Playgolf Group has done exceedingly well with their 81 holes of golf, like other venues, their additional activities, such as hospitality facilities have found the going tough.
Mr Saud added: “There is no doubt the rest of our business has been challenging, with hospitality and gym turnover struggling. But this is a symptom of lockdowns, and once the world is over COVID, then we will revert to stronger revenues in these areas too.”