Just a year ago, the Newark Golf Club was acquired by Stellar Asset Management, preventing private member clubs from entering management. Fast forward 12 months, the popular Nottinghamshire Club looks and feels like a rising venue with better facilities, more staff and a modified golf course.
Ben Blackburn and his team used their experience in acquiring Paulton’s Golf Center, Murrayshall and Bramshaw Golf Club to make extensive investments in people, products and processes that quickly boosted Newark.
“The past 12 months have proven that our approach can quickly have a positive impact on any golf business,” Prime Minister Manger Molly Pavey summed up Newark’s process and people. “This is the first private member club we’ve worked with, and it’s an honor to watch the faith of members recover. We did more than they thought they would do in 12 months – and that’s just the beginning of it.”
Green crews worked hard throughout the winter, modifying and restoring the green for each hole. Plan further investments to raise bunkers in the decline season. The full range of grass practices has never looked better and is now equipped with state-of-the-art track and field technology that can be accessed through the live download app.
In addition to the renovation of the beautiful Parkland course, the clubhouse has been extensively renovated to improve the customer experience. These changes include bringing Pro Shop into the main building, repositioning the bar, and creating a comfortable relaxing bar space that can be opened and merged to create a larger event space, allowing the club to benefit from rental income without compromising membership.
Most importantly, the experience of members and visitors became more consistently delivered, making Newark proud of its staff and facilities.
“It’s been a year since Ben Blackburn and his team took over the Newark Golf Club’s Reins,” said club deputy captain Gary Bruce.
“We still have a fabulous surface that can play in despite the challenges of the weather – but most of the club’s identity remains the same. The team has brought in and kept that in order to fill it with fresh air. I’m honored to connect with Newark Golf Club and look forward to the future.”
Future plans include additional investment in course maintenance and a new off-road fleet. The club’s redesign will include reshaping the layout through moving and redesigning the women’s locker room.
