Dudsbury golf course to close next year

By Alistair November 24, 2023 08:01

The golf course at Dudsbury Golf Club, Hotel & Spa in Dorset is to close next year, its owner has revealed.

Beate Robinson has written to members to explain that while the hotel and spa will continue to function, and will be invested in, the course will close in April amid “extremely unprecedented times”.

“It is with great sadness that I have to announce that the golf course only at Dudsbury Golf Club, Hotel & Spa will be closing from 1st April 2024,” writes Robinson.

“We were recently informed that the lease purchased on the golf course will expire on 31st March 2024 and will not be renewed.

“I would like to confirm that the hotel and spa, bistro, events and the guesthouse will operate as normal but will undergo extensive refurbishments and investment and will continue to provide excellent facilities for the local community to use.

“Over the years Dave and I have always provided excellent value golf on an extremely challenging course. Dave Braban’s vision when purchasing the club back in 2006, was always “golf for all and not just the few”.

“I feel I have fulfilled his wishes over the past 18 years during some extremely unprecedented times.

Image from Twitter / X

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my team who have maintained the course and supported the club throughout our time here.

“I would like to also extend my thanks to our members and patrons who have enjoyed the course over the years.”

Meanwhile, a golf and country club in Durham that was struggling this time last year is now investing significantly in itself.

At the end of 2022 the country club at Woodham Golf and Country Club ceased trading with immediate effect, after its tenant left the business, although the golf club was unaffected.

However, since then the club has been brought back into management by its owner, Hall Construction.

To breathe new life into the site, £400,000 has been invested on The Lakeside restaurant and green room areas, alongside £250,000 on the golf course, its greens and drainage.

Restaurant manager Michelle Peel said: “We’re already often exceeding 100 bookings for Sunday lunches while Saturdays are quite busy, and we’re aiming to complement that by increasing footfall during the week.”

Peel added: “The owners are ambitious and want to create a busy, thriving club that has fantastic food and drinks on offer every day of the week.

“We’re also looking to host birthday parties, wedding receptions, christenings and business events in the clubhouse, as we now have the facilities to cater for all types of private events.”