Property Golf and Finance Group Limited (PGF) has announced the purchase of Horton Park Country Club at Epsom, Surrey. Opened in 1988, Horton Park is a popular and well-situated 127-acre golfing complex that includes a 6293 yard 18 hole course, a recently constructed 9 hole academy course, a modern two-story clubhouse and a floodlit driving range and practice facilities.
Announcing the purchase, Mr Vince Davies, managing director of PGF said, “Under PGF’s management, Horton Park has an assured future and its members can look forward with confidence to seeing their club prosper. We intend to maintain its current high standards and continue to invest in the two courses to enhance the club’s facilities.”
Horton Park’s previous owner Mr John Rogers said, “I have taken great personal pride in the success of the club and the role it has played in developing golf as a sport in the Epsom and Ewell area. I am pleased to have sold it to a company that is well respected in the golf industry and is managed by people who understand the sport and have been working in the business for many years. Our members and anyone who has played here since it first opened, have seen the club, the courses and facilities improve over the years as we have met the growing demand for golf in the area. I am delighted that PGF is committed to investing in the club, this is good news for everyone.”
Property Golf and Finance was formed in 1989. The company has successfully combined the owning and operation of commercial property with the provision of financial consultancy and management services to golf clubs and other property related companies.
Mr Michael Sanders, chairman of PGF, in describing his company’s future plans said, “We intend to develop a portfolio of successful courses and are actively looking for further investment opportunities.”
Horton Park is ideally situated just 12 miles from Central London. It has excellent road communications with the A3 being just 2 miles away and there is easy access to the M25 at Junctions 9 and 10. Charles Greville-Heygate, who handled the sale for Strutt & Parker incorporating William Hillary Leisure and Hotels, said “This property is one of the best located properties that we have handled for a long time. It has always been a very successful club and the new development will ensure further growth of the business. I am delighted that we have been able to achieve this sale to the satisfaction of both parties. Not surprisingly the sale was keenly contested and we are now looking for properties for the underbidders”.
The modern two-story clubhouse includes fully equipped changing rooms, a reception area, lounge and spike bars, as well as a restaurant and a popular function room that can seat 100. Connected to the clubhouse is a 26 bay floodlit driving range as well as a practice bunker, chipping area and putting green. It also has a well-stocked golf shop.
Until 1999 the 18 hole course measured 5100 yards and was a par 69. Under a land exchange agreement entered into by the club, which saw a road improvement scheme undertaken in the area, Horton Park was able to extend the course to its present 6293 yards and to construct the Academy Course. Concurrent with this development of the club and its courses has been the separate construction of 600 houses in the first phase of a 1200 house building scheme. This is taking place on an adjacent re-development site and is not associated with Horton Park.