Corporate golf days are on the up at Breadsall Priory, a Marriott Hotel & Country Club. A record number of businesses, charities, societies, organisations and pleasure groups are turning to golf days at Breadsall Priory as a way to maintain client relations, raise money or simply combine work and play.
Recently named one of the top five golf courses in the county by National Club Golfer, Breadsall Priory reported a 34% increase over last year’s number of corporate golf days held across its two renowned courses in the Derbyshire countryside.
Steve Turner, golf operations manager at Breadsall Priory, commented: “This is the best year for corporate golf events since I started as events manager five years ago. We’re delighted that businesses, from the local area and further afield, still see the value of corporate golf events as a way to entertain clients and even strike new deals.”
Breadsall Priory attributes the increase to a number of reasons, including its unique offering of more than one golf course, an excellent location with 80% of the UK within two hours’ travel time and the quality of service offered from the world-renowned Marriott brand.
All of this was showcased at a special event held last October, which generated £42.1k of new enquiries from companies who had not previously held a golf event at Breadsall Priory.
Steve Turner and his experienced team, some of whom are former pros, have been busy overseeing all the new business, handling every stage of golf events at the hotel from the first enquiry right through to the post-round celebrations.
One of the reasons for this increase, cites Steve, is Breadsall Priory’s unique offering of two contrasting golf courses.
Located in 300 acres of parkland, both courses are Par 70 and offer contrasting challenges to players of all abilities. The Moorland Course is a gently rolling design through the heart of the countryside whereas the Priory Course features tree-lined fairways leading to small well-protected greens.
Both courses are part of the Audubon International Programme for Golf Courses, dedicated to the preservation of the natural environment and wildlife – another plus when corporate responsibility is so high on the business agenda.
As well as business events, the Breadsall Priory combination of location, facilities and planning expertise has also attracted nationally-renowned events such as the Auld Enemies Trophy, an event ran on behalf of The Disabled Golf Association, similar to that of The Ryder Cup but based on England v Scotland, which was held last week at the club.
The Pavilion clubhouse is often the focus for golf events and this year Breadsall Priory celebrates 20 years since its opening. A fair share of celebrities have passed through the doors over the years, including US Open Champion Graeme McDowell, local football teams, international cricket stars and even the odd comedian turning up to present awards in the Club House after a day on the fairways.
Post-round events can include anything from chef-carved bacon sandwiches, to barbecues on the terrace, all attended to by Breadsall Priory’s highly trained events staff to ensure every golf event goes smoothly.
Golfers are not only attracted by the sport but the unique setting of Breadsall Priory, which is the oldest Marriott Hotel & Country Club in the world. Dating back to the 14th Century, the hotel offers corporate customers world-renowned customer service with a personal touch.
Breadsall Priory, a Marriott Hotel & Country Club www.marriottbreadsallpriory.co.uk