Set in 120 acres of scenic parkland, Meyrick Park Golf Club has always been known in the golfing world as one of the finest municipal courses in the country. The golf course was established in 1894 as a 4,500 yard “long course” plus a ladies pitch-and-putt. Thanks to the high standards of the course and its proximity to the town centre it has always been popular with local residents as well as visitors to Bournemouth. Unfortunately, over the years, lack of investment has caused the course to lose some of its original splendour.
Clubhaus PLC, who acquired the management lease on Meyrick Park from Bournmouth Borough Council in 1997, recognised its potential as a golf resort destination and has invested £3 million in improvements and new facilities.
Formerly known as Meyrick Park Golf Club, The Club at Meyrick Park operates as a municipal golf course and the home course for The Bournemouth and Meyrick Park Golf Club, as well as being open to the public as a park from 4pm every Sunday. The Clubhaus Group is committed to working with the local authorities to improve facilities for all the different users. This is being used as an exciting example of how a PLC can work hand in hand with local government to upgrade facilities for the public. The company has a long term lease which runs until the year 2095.
Golfers will be delighted to hear that £100,000 has already been spent on improvements to the course. The largest task was relaying and restructuring of the bunkers which will add a challenging edge that has been missing in recent years. New clubhouses are being built for paying members and the public.
Mike Lee, general manager at Meyrick Park comments: “Meyrick Park has so much potential and we are turning it into something that Bournemouth can really be proud of. We are hoping that the new developments will draw attention to this spectacular golf course and attract many new members and visitors.”
The Club also hopes to attract a wider range of people by the addition of a new health & fitness club featuring a gym, an aerobic studio offering a wide range of classes and an indoor swimming pool. Clubhaus is adding 17 en-suite rooms in the original lodge building for overnight accommodation, golf days and breaks. It is intended that The Club at Meyrick Park will become one of the finest all round leisure facilities on the south coast.
Clubhaus PLC is one of the largest pan-European owners and operators of golf and health & fitness facilities and currently owns15 clubs in the UK, 4 in Germany, 1 in Spain and 1 in France. Other developments in the group include 30 new apartments at El Bosque Golf & Country Club in Valencia, Spain and 12 new apartments at Schloss Ludersburg in Hamburg, Germany which will open in time for the golf season in 2000.