One of Berkshire’s oldest golf clubs has been recognised for providing the best playing experience in the south-east following the completion of its major course regeneration.
Royal Ascot Golf Club scooped the ‘Best Golfing Experience’ in the South East category at the Southern Enterprise Awards after it invested £500,000 to upgrade each of its 18 holes and cut the ribbon on its new look clubhouse.
The accolade recognises the course’s year-round playability, its immaculate greens and fairways and through the door clubhouse experience for members and guests alike.
Improvements which helped the club achieve its first award include enhanced drainage and irrigation provisions on all 18 holes, bunker renovations and the planting of new treelines to the course’s surrounds.
A new 200 sq m outdoor social and dining area providing panoramic views of the course has also been constructed with catering delivered by the club’s dedicated hospitality team seven days each week.
Stephen Nicholson, General Manager at Royal Ascot Golf Club, said: “This award represents a collective ambition from the entire team to establish our club as one of the UK’s leading golf venues. We’ve invested substantial funds to provide the best possible playing experience for visitors and are thrilled to be recognised following the completion of major works.
“Everyone associated to the club is a golf enthusiast, and we are committed to enhancing the profile of our sport locally by taking onboard feedback, delivering tangible change and making golf accessible to people of all ages and skillsets. On a personal note, I must thank everyone at the club who has contributed to this award for their hard work and continued support – we can all be proud of what has been achieved.”
The club has also been boosted by news that it has been shortlisted for three major industry awards, including Golf Club of the Year and Community Club of the Year at the Club Awards that are being held in Leicester on November 26. The club was also a finalist in the Golf Course Awards in the Members’ Club of the Year category.
Stephen added: “We’ve established the foundations we set out to achieve as a team when developing a fresh strategy for the club several years ago which prioritised experience, quality, footfall and community. It’s been a breakthrough year for all parts of our operation.”