Historic Golf Club Announces Record Membership Numbers

The historic Oxford Golf Club - the oldest in the county - has announced that it has reached its highest membership figures on record, which is quite an achievement as it enters its 152nd season.

Based on Hill Top Road in Cowley, membership at Oxford has increased by 66 per cent in the last five years with more than 750 regular players taking to its Harry Colt designed course.

It’s the highest number of members the course has attracted, with more than 300 people registered as members compared to a decade ago.

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The membership boom follows a period of significant investment by the club into its playing facilities, with several major improvements including green upgrades, a new irrigation system and a waste-to-water unit facilitating an open course 364 days annually.

Steve Greenwood, General Manager at Oxford Golf Club, said year round quality course conditions, good value green fees and a strong community ethos have contributed to the club’s success.

"It’s a huge achievement to reach our highest membership figures on record and is something the whole team can be very proud of," said Steve.

"Equally, delivering a quality course which can be enjoyed in all seasons has unquestionably contributed to the club’s success. It’s credit to our hardworking grounds staff and the team behind the scenes for making this happen at a time where weather patterns are increasingly unpredictable.

"The Board of Directors have too been instrumental in delivering the tools required to produce a course we are all very proud of.

"There is also a greater emphasis on diversifying our operation using the land and facilities we have at our disposal with enhanced hospitality options, social events and charitable functions for members and guests alike.

"Bringing our catering operation inhouse has also improved the overall attraction of membership, with greater emphasis placed on the quality of our food and service.

"Our complete seven-day membership, junior and international packages have reached capacity, with only limited space available for our restricted seven-day and five-day options."

The upwards trend for Oxford Golf Club goes against national statistics with latest figures showing 722,000 people in England are a member at their local club.

England Golf CEO Jeremy Tomlinson expects more than 7,000 of those members to hang up their clubs this year, with an ageing membership base and sharp rises to the cost of living among the reasons for a slight drop in participation nationally.

Steve added: "You have to go back to the 1990s to find membership numbers in the same bracket to what the club is achieving today. Even then, our membership base was 100 people fewer.

"We want golf to be attractive to everyone, which means engaging people of all ages and providing people with a reason to visit our club.

"We’re ambitious, forward-thinking and won’t be restricting our development plans to the course with other major improvements planned in the coming years."

Founded in 1873, Oxford Golf Club was the original club of Oxford University and to this day features an 18-hole course designed by legendary golf architect Harry Colt.

Further information about the club is available by visiting www.oxfordgolfclub.co.uk.

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