HLL Humberts Leisure, the property specialists to the golf and golf hotel industries, acting on behalf of Paul Williams and David Whitehouse of MCR, joint administrators of Horton Park Golf & Country Club Ltd, confirms the sale of Horton Park Golf & Country Club, Surrey to Maple Leaf Golf.
The guide price for the property, which is leasehold, was £1.85 million.
Horton Park Golf & Country Club, which is located in Epsom (inside the M25 Motorway) comprises an 18 hole 5,994 yard (par 70) parkland golf course; a recently constructed 9 hole par 3 course; a 26 bay floodlit golf driving range; and practice putting green; together with a refurbished, two storey 563 sq m (6,060 sq ft) clubhouse. The business commenced trading in 1987.
Maple Leaf Golf, owner of Chichester Golf Club and Hill Barn Golf Club in Sussex, completed the purchase of Horton Park Golf & Country Club on 1st July following a hotly contested marketing campaign, which generated strong interest from both the lifestyle market and corporate golf operators.
Paul Williams of MCR, said, “I am delighted with the positive outcome, which not only secures the long term future of the course for its members and the community generally, but also secures many local jobs and brings a degree of certainty to the area in such uncertain times.”
Richard Haygarth of Maple Leaf Golf said, “We are very excited about Horton Park. It is one of the best courses in the area and fits perfectly with our existing businesses.”
Plans for Horton Park include a new irrigation system for the Par 3 course, a new fleet of green keeping machinery, the return of buggies and a day one purchase of 20,000 range balls. Haygarth commented, “It’s a great business with excellent staff that just needs the proper investment.”
Members are also delighted about the new ownership as they will now get the privilege to play the Group’s other three courses in Sussex. Club Secretary, John Prichard said, “It’s a great outcome for the members who will get a secure golfing future and an even better course,”
Maple Leaf Golf acquired Chichester Golf Club which has two 18 hole courses, a driving range and a Par 3 course, in 1999. In 2003 it acquired Hill Barn Golf Club, the spectacular 1930’s built Hawtree designed course from Worthing Borough Council.
The sale was handled by Ben Allen of HLL Humberts Leisure’s golf agency team. Ben Allen said, “The strong competitive bidding that was received for Horton Park Golf & Country is further evidence that the market for golf courses is as buoyant as ever, despite the current economic uncertainty. We expect to announce further completions of other golf course sales during July.”
Horton Park Golf & Country Club www.hortonparkgolfclub.co.uk
HLL Humberts Leisure www.humberts-leisure.com