Hoburne's Surrey golf course scoops top accolade

Bulbury Woods (Lytchett Minster), Crane Valley (Verwood) in Dorset and Hurtmore (Godalming) in Surrey have been awarded bronze flag status at the prestigious 59 Clubs Awards.

59 Club uses secret shoppers to rate the best clubs and resorts in the UK.

Hoburne head of golf, James Slade, said: “It’s really satisfying to be rated so highly on the basis of what customers think when they visit our courses.

“59 Club ratings of gold and silver go to clubs and resorts with more amenities.

“For our three courses to receive bronze accreditation is positively stunning, and is a fabulous pat on the back for the team.”

Courses are currently marked 60% on service and 40% for facilities, but next year that will hopefully will become more focused on service standards, which James says may give the Hoburne trio the opportunity to be judged even more positively and bring silver flag status within range.

The courses were also nominated in several other categories, including golf operations, team of the year and food and beverage team of the year, which James says also marks them out in highly esteemed company, putting them in the top ten in the country for each class.

“What’s really pleasing,” James said, “is that our three courses are all very different but all reaching a consistently high standard in terms of how we look after players.

“Some venues fear the feedback because they know how stringent the assessment is, and they don’t want necessarily to face comparison with the industry elite.

“It says a lot about how confident we are in our offering that we even went in for these assessments.”

Hurtmore was designed by golfing legend Peter Alliss, and is playable whatever the weather with no temporary tees or greens guaranteed.

The club has an excellent modern clubhouse and also a Trackman indoor simulator studio. Sited just off the A3, it is in a great location.

Will Hewitt from 59 Club UK said: “Flag awards are awarded based on a combination of average scores achieved through a detailed, objective mystery shopping programme measuring the experience afforded to a visiting golfer, together with an analysis of the facilities and services which a club offers to its members and guests.

“Each of the Hoburne golf venues have undertaken training and implemented operational changes which have led to improved guest experience, thus improving their mystery shopping performance over a number of years but have also completed projects to improve software, member communication and facilities during this time.”