A Staffordshire golf course which celebrated its centenary two years ago has been sold. Greenway Hall Golf Centre achieved just over the asking price of £450,000 after the sale had been drawn to a conclusion through a formal tender process.
Greenway Hall Golf Centre, four miles from Stoke-on-Trent, first opened for play in 1909. The course, which was conceived by James Braid, a renowned golf course designer, occupies an undulating, elevated position with views across the Peak District towards three counties in addition to Staffordshire: Cheshire, Derbyshire and Shropshire.
Jack Barker’s Golf Company bought the course in 1996, since when they have invested heavily in the facilities and landscaping. In 2002, Greenway Hall was voted best golf club in Staffordshire for the quality of its greens, overall condition and customer service.
Despite largely rebuilding and extending the clubhouse in 2006 the business had declined following a period of re-landscaping of the golf course in 2007 and the course was closed prior to completion of the sale.
Kay Griffiths of the selling agents Savills says: “The decision to put Greenway Hall Golf Centre to the market was borne of my client’s desire to focus on other business interests. Following closure of the business, the property elicited a strong level of interest from a wide range of buyers, both wishing to re-start the golf course use but also parties attracted by the potential for alternative uses, subject to planning consent.
“Ultimately, in the light of prevailing agricultural land values, Greenway Hall was very reasonably priced, especially given the presence of built accommodation. The opportunity to acquire over 100 acres on the edge of a substantial urban catchment, in an accessible location, seldom presents itself and we were unsurprised at the level of interest which the property generated.”
For the moment both the identity of the buyer and the future use of the property are unknown.
Greenway Hall Golf Centre www.jackbarker.com/greenway/main.html