Surrey golf club sees sharp rise in new members

Farleigh Golf Club in Surrey has reported its best start to a year ever in terms of an increase in membership numbers.

The 27-hole venue has said 56 people joined the club in January and February – almost one a day.

In total the club sold 76 memberships between November 2019 and February 2020, almost quadrupling the 20 it sold in the same four months in the previous year.

‘The increase is testament to the club’s course conditions throughout the colder and wetter months,’ said a spokesman. ‘Renowned as one of the best winter courses in Surrey, Farleigh’s greenkeeping team has, once again, kept the course in excellent condition and given golfers the ‘Farleigh Guarantee’ of no temporary greens or tees.

‘Its reputation, coupled with significant investment into course machinery and clubhouse facilities, has not only seen the club increase its membership, but also cement its standing as a prime venue for professional tournaments.’

James Ibbetson (right) with Marc Hayton, owner of Farleigh

James Ibbetson, general manager, said: “It’s been all change at Farleigh in recent months with me coming in as new general manager, as well as a significant restructure in the sales department and golf team, with Steve Stiller, former golf manager, moving onto pastures new. In the absence of a golf and membership sales advisor, the golf team, led by golf operations manager Paul Babbage, has worked tirelessly to push through membership sales and achieve the outstanding numbers that we have seen.

“I don’t think anyone was expecting such a start to the year, but when you have such a good product like ours, it’s really not a surprise that people want to be a part of it, especially golfers who don’t want to hang up their clubs in the winter.

“Not only are we lucky enough to have an amazing course layout, but we also have a dedicated and knowledgeable greenkeeping team which manages to keep it in unbelievable condition all year round, which is no mean feat considering the unpredictable English weather!”