The De Vere Group return to The Belfry

The De Vere Group Press Release

The De Vere Group has announced that it has secured the management contract to operate iconic Ryder Cup host venue, The Belfry. Previously owned by De Vere prior to its sale in 2005, The Belfry is set in 550 acres of quaint Warwickshire countryside and currently comprises a 324-bedroom resort and two championship golf courses, The PGA National - England’s only PGA-branded golf course, and The Brabazon - the world’s only four-time host of The Ryder Cup having held the tournament in 1985, 1989, 1993 and 2002. Additionally, The Belfry is home to the PGA National Golf Academy and a further 18-hole course, The Derby. 

The management contract follows the acquisition of The Belfry by an affiliate of KSL Capital Partners LLC, an American investment firm that specialises in travel and leisure businesses and has a long history of investing in golf resorts. The resort will go through a comprehensive renovation, including the public areas, guest rooms, dining outlets and meeting spaces in order to enhance the overall guest experience and reposition the resort as one of Europe's leading deluxe hotel, conference, golf and spa destinations. Given the unique and expansive nature of the resort campus with multiple guest room buildings, conference locations and food and beverage outlets, works will be phased and the club will remain open during the refurbishment. The Belfry management contract will undoubtedly further enhance De Vere’s golfing facilities, currently comprised of 11 golf resorts and 16 championship golf courses. The Belfry will sit within the De Vere Hotels portfolio.

Andrew Coppel, Group Chief Executive of De Vere commented, “We are delighted to have secured the management contract at The Belfry. De Vere and The Belfry have a proud history together and share a golfing heritage. The De Vere name became synonymous with the game after hosting the 1985 Ryder Cup at The Belfry which the Group then owned: the year Tony Jacklin’s European team ended the USA’s 28 year winning streak! The PGA is wholly supportive of these new arrangements, again further consolidating our strong relationship with them at this location. We look forward to working with KSL Capital Partners and re-establishing The Belfry as one of Europe’s premier destinations.”

Some of golf’s biggest Ryder Cup names and governing body Chief Executives have backed KSL’s decision to appoint De Vere, including European Tour Chief Executive, George O’Grady, “The Belfry and De Vere brands share great heritage in European golf and are synonymous with four outstanding Ryder Cup matches. I am sure this renewed partnership will prove a successful one for all parties.”

Similarly Sandy Jones, PGA Chief Executive noted, "De Vere and the PGA have enjoyed a very special relationship for many years. We are therefore delighted that De Vere will once again be managing the Belfry, which has been the home of the Association for over three decades, ensuring that our already strong partnership will continue for many years to come."

2010 European Ryder Cup Captain, Colin Montgomerie, was a member of two victorious European Ryder Cup teams at The Belfry, "I am delighted that De Vere are once again associated with what is an iconic venue and a host to some magical moments in golf, particularly the Ryder Cup.”

De Vere has a long-standing tradition in hosting leading golf tournaments throughout its impressive portfolio of golf resorts. Slaley Hall in Northumberland held the 2012 ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship, following on from successfully hosting the same tournament in 2008-2011, and will host the PGA Cup in 2013. The Carrick at Cameron House on Loch Lomond hosted the 2008 Ladies Scottish Open and in September 2009 hosted the PGA Cup. Additionally, The Group has made a significant investment in the development of the game, highlighted by two PGA Golf Academies.

“De Vere has been a great supporter of the Seniors Tour and as players we enjoy some tremendous facilities at the PGA Seniors Championship at Slaley Hall. It is a great move by the new owners to bring De Vere back to manage The Belfry again as I am sure they will raise the standard of both the hotel and the courses,” noted former Masters Champion, Ryder Cup Captain and 3-time Ryder Cup competitor at The Belfry, Ian Woosnam.

Bernard Gallacher, who captained the 1993 European Team which included both Montgomerie and Woosnam, was another to praise the return of De Vere, “The Belfry is a truly iconic venue in European golf. I had some fantastic experiences both on and off the course back in the 80’s and 90’s. De Vere’s involvement can only be a positive step and I wish the new owners well.”

Daniel Hodson, De Vere’s Director of Golf, is excited about the strategic impact of De Vere’s new agreement with KSL and The Belfry. “Adding The Belfry to the De Vere portfolio will undoubtedly strengthen our leadership position in the UK golf market. Our pioneering De Vere Club flexible membership continues to flourish with over 11,000 current members and to add such a centrally located, prestigious venue to the group will add considerable momentum to our golf and leisure proposition.”