With a growing demand for space more and more golf clubs are looking to diversify their offering and facilities, making themselves more dynamic and moving towards self-sustaining models. Their success proves that you don’t have to love golf to love the clubhouse.
Creating an adaptable space opens your doors to a whole new range of customers and helps to diversify revenue streams. One such club that is reaping the benefit of reinvestment and refurbishment is Sandy Lodge Club in Middlesex.
The North West London club has never been reluctant to make improvements both on and off the course and its forward-thinking approach has since been rewarded. The improvement to facilities has enhanced the overall reputation of the club and has surely contributed to its recent successes; in 2014 it was chosen to host the English Senior Women’s Championship and this year it was selected as a Regional Open qualifying venue until 2019.
The clubhouse added a larger kitchen, dining room and bar in 1997 which gave them a solid platform for further development. Major renovation and redecoration followed in 2007 with new curtains, carpets, lighting and golf club furniture with input from refurbishment experts Trent Furniture. With more options and a new feel the Clubhouse is now available for hire by non-members as well as members.
With room to stage weddings the club now offers a full range of reception packages accommodating up to 120 seated guests, the added flexibility in seating options alone has opened new avenues for them. Similar functions including meetings and small conferences are catered for as well as everything from small informal private lunch parties to full formal receptions.
Clive Bailey, the general manager of Sandy Lodge, said: ‘Prior to the enlargement, Sandy Lodge clubhouse was typical of a private members’ club. The work made us much more flexible and functional giving us additional space where we could hold functions without impacting on members’ enjoyment of the club.’
They now have the capabilities for corporate seminar, training sessions and offsite meeting facilities, attracting groups from a variety of industries that are looking for presentation and training rooms. The laid back feel of the lounge allows players and non-members alike to enjoy tea, coffee or a drink from the bar after a round of golf or a meal.
Bailey went on to add: ‘It is important to rely on experts’ opinion because they are able to provide advice on function as well as style.’ Buoyed by the positive response to their redecorations, further improvements are on the horizon to keep pace with an ever-growing and changing industry.
Read the original article from Golf Club Magazine here.