Crown Golf, the UK’s largest golf course owner/operator has reached an agreement to transfer the lease on Abbotsley Hotel, Golf and Country Club located near St Neots, Cambridgeshire.
Abbotsley comprises a 42 bedroom hotel, two 18-hole golf courses – the Abbotsley and the Cromwell, a par 3 course, two club houses, driving range and practice area and a squash club and fitness centre.
Crown Golf has traded the property since December 2004 following the acquisition of the former American Golf Corporation group of clubs. American Golf had taken a lease of Abbotsley in 1999.
On 1st March 2010, the property will revert to the landlord and well known golfer, former British Women’s Open Champion, Vivien Saunders OBE. Vivien also owns the nearby Cambridge Meridian Golf Club in partnership with Jenny Wisson.
Stephen Lewis, CEO from Crown Golf says, “We are continuing to consolidate our estate, focussing on the clubs which the business wishes to retain for the long term – either for operational reasons, or as a result of their development potential”
Vivien Saunders OBE says, “The eleven years of leasing Abbotsley to American Golf and then Crown Golf has been a very exciting period in the development of Abbotsley. It has seen the addition of 30 more bedrooms at the hotel; and membership of the Crown Golf Group has seen the advantages which go with being part of a large, successful organisation. Margaret Middleton, formerly secretary/manager at Corhampton Golf Club, joins Abbotsley as General Manager”
Crown Golf is Europe’s largest golf course owner/operator, with 30 UK golf venues and more than 50 golf courses. Crown Golf was established in 1994 to put together a group of owned and operated golf courses and by June 2002 the company owned eight golf clubs in the UK and one under management.
The company flagship is St Mellion International Resort, home of the Nicklaus Signature Course, the first in the UK to be designed by 18-time Major-winner Jack Nicklaus and host venue to The English Open from 2011 for a minimum of 3 years.
Crown Golf www.crown-golf,co.uk