Basingstoke Golf Club is moving a step closer to the completion of its full range of new facilities with the Hampshire venue ready to open its new state-of-the-art clubhouse.
The clubhouse – which will officially open on September 14 – will feature a large bar and dining area, with a veranda that serves up panoramic views across the course. The new professional shop will also be based here, and extended changing facilities mean members will be well-catered for. Extra conference space will also allow the club to commercialise further opportunities, acting as an extra revenue stream.
Basingstoke Golf Club, which first opened for play in 1907, relocated to a new site in the village of Dummer in 2021 – moving from nearby Kempshott Park and acquiring the land that was home to Dummer Golf Club on the outskirts of the town – before work began on a new 18-hole championship course last year.
The previous layout at Dummer Golf Club has been totally redesigned by Weller Designs, with the new downland course defined by a series of thrilling and undulating holes that sweep across rolling fairways, with several strategically placed water hazards adding to the test.
While the full reopening of the club is pencilled in for September 2025, ten holes were opened to members in June, with the full 18 also opening on September 14. Development is underway on a new driving range – featuring the latest teaching and ball-tracking technology – along with a short-game area and large putting green.
The new clubhouse will serve as the focal point of the club and is a statement of a desire to be one of the finest golf venues in Hampshire and beyond, with the overall project boosted by a financial investment of over £15million.
Architects Feilden+Mawson LLP – whose previous golf clubhouse design work includes renovation and rebuild projects at Royal Norwich and Royal West Norfolk – have been actively involved in the project from its conceptual stage, working closely with the senior management team at Basingstoke to develop a comprehensive brief and area schedule.
Through this collaboration, the architects have refined spatial relationships, ensuring the design aligns with both Basingstoke’s vision and the site’s unique context. A thorough analysis of the immediate surroundings helped shape the building’s massing and layout, integrating considerations of materiality and the overall ambience of the spaces.
To complement the opening of the clubhouse, a significant milestone in the development project was the completion of the greenkeepers’ building in December 2023, which has helped course manager Scott Roberts and his team to work seamlessly on the new layout.
Emily Barnston, partner at Feilden+Mawson, said: “We are extremely excited to see our vision come to fruition. One of the key design features of the new clubhouse is the undulating roof, which flows across the facilities. When viewed from the course, the roof mirrors the colour and shape of the distant hills, anchoring the new clubhouse to its context.”
O&D Construction were the main contractor appointed to build the clubhouse, the greenkeepers’ building and the driving range. Trevor O’Brien, managing director at O&D Construction, said: “We are incredibly proud to have been involved in the creation of the new Basingstoke clubhouse. It is a truly unique building, which is sure to bring great joy to members and all who use it.
“From the initial commencement in February 2023, right up until today, it has been a delight working with the full project team. We have even been lucky enough to have members from a construction background aiding us throughout the process in ensuring the project is delivered to the members’ satisfaction.”
David Green, general manager at Basingstoke Golf Club, said: “It was so important we developed a clubhouse that has a modern feel as we look to the future, but within it will be many historical references that have been key to the character and story of Basingstoke Golf Club.
“Our interior designer, David Hales, was appointed to provide our furniture for the lounges, dining and function suite, and boardroom. David provided detailed plans for the layout, maximising the space we have and ensuring we had a good mix of seating for casual dining. We are delighted with how the furniture looks and the service provided by David’s team.
“The clubhouse is quite a sight and will offer our members the perfect spot to unwind, with stunning views overlooking the new course, especially the 1st and 18th holes. The practice facilities will be nearby, helping to create a hive of activity as well as being convenient for those looking to warm-up before they tee off.
“A new car park will give our members and visitors more space, while the bar area and changing rooms are spacious and comfortable. The clubhouse will also be open to visitors and non-members, making it the perfect spot for families to socialise, while our food and beverage options will heighten the experience for all.
“Our soft opening of ten holes in June proved to be the start of an exciting summer and all 18 holes will come into play as the clubhouse opens. However, there is so much more to come over the course of the next year as we build towards that full reopening in the autumn of 2025.”
Meanwhile, membership enquiries have continued in a positive manner. The club has a full prospective members’ list but is excited to be taking the established membership from the old club and building on it as it looks to create a new legacy at Basingstoke.
Golf operations manager, Tom Robson, said: “Interest in becoming a member at Basingstoke is at an all-time high. We are receiving five to 10 emails with enquiries daily. These are on top of the usual emails about society bookings and function requests. With the golf course and facilities we have built, word has spread with the journey we are on to build one of the southeast’s best golf venues.
“Basingstoke Golf Club should be the place everyone wants to come and enjoy themselves, whether it be practising on the driving range, playing an incredible golf course, or relaxing in our state-of-the-art clubhouse.”