Surrey golf course to permanently close after years of financial losses

Golf has been played on the 18-hole course at Gatton Manor in Surrey since it first opened in 1969, but that lengthy story will now come to an end with the layout set to permanently close following years of financial losses.

Surrey Live has reported that a new luxury hotel, spa, and fine dining restaurant has been approved for the site that is located within tranquil countryside to the west of Crawley. The venue will be transformed as part of a £41 million project that will introduce "81 guest rooms, two restaurants, a spa with indoor and wild swimming pools, gym, treatment and relaxation areas."

Why Has This Golf Course Been Closed?

The existing hotel - which closed in 2022 - will be demolished and the golf course (as noted by The Golf Business) will be "rewilded into a mixed wood pasture over a wildflower meadow and a wetland habitat."

Despite residents having concerns about how the development would impact the surrounding area, councillors granted permission for works to commence, which should last for around two years.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Roger Adams said: "With global warming and rising temperatures I suspect a lot of people seeking a holiday will no longer be heading to the Mediterranean but may well seek to have staycations, and where better to stay for a holiday than Surrey.

"We’ve got beautiful country here and we do need developments such as this. It will provide employment and enhance the visitor schemes."

His colleague, Cllr Monica Weller, also of the Liberal Democrats, added: "It really is quite fantastic as far as I’m concerned. A business like this has got to bring something really quite fantastic to our area and that is really to be welcomed."

Regardless of whether these plans were given the green light or not, the course was going to close after running at a loss for a considerable time.

Golfers Loved The Course & Thought it Had Potential

That said, clearly it had something to offer, as reviews on Golfshake would indicate:

"Good course with interesting holes."

"Picturesque and well worth the trip."

"The course was amazing and we will definitely be coming back."

"Thoroughly enjoy the challenges this course poses."

"Just finished a really enjoyable round at Gatton Manor - the course was in great nick, challenging without being to punishing - something for everyone here - would love to play this course more regularly."

"They've worked really hard to bring the course back to where it was."

"I have to say this is my new favourite course. So much character and variety. Feels like a bit of a hidden gem and has so much potential. Also friendly welcome. Very highly recommended."

Those are just some of the commments that members of the Golfshake Community have submitted about Gatton Manor in recent years.

But sadly, the place will soon become a distant (although fond) memory as golf ceases to be played on these grounds.