FROM a nine hole-course with a Portakabin clubhouse in 1990, Burghill Valley Golf Club has now expanded to 18-holes with a bustling social scene.
Situated four miles from Hereford, the former fruit farm is nestled among cider orchards with fabulous views of the Black Mountains and Credenhill Wood.
When the club was established 30 years ago, it quickly became the focal point for the local village and serving the local community.
Originally owned and developed by the Barnett family, after huge demand and popularity, it was developed into an 18-hole course in 1993 designed by Ray Baldwin of the English Golf Union. The 6255-yard course offers a varying degree of difficulty with everything to test the single figure player and the average golfer alike.
In 2015 the club was purchased by Mark and Elaine Ellis, and since then the pair has made a considerable investment into the course and clubhouse.
The Golf club has strong Mens, Seniors, Ladies, Mixed and Junior sections who organise numerous golf matches and competitions within the club and against other clubs in the region.
In the past five years, the club has won awards for ‘Most Innovative Club’ twice at the Club Mirror Awards, and most of the team have worked at the club for more than 10 years.
The ethos since the Ellis’s took over has been to change the perception of golf clubs to the general public and the club has opened its doors to everyone.
They now say they have built up a regular clientele both on the golf course and in our restaurant and bar, from themed nights and Sunday carvery, to venue hire and packages for golfers.
During the coronavirus pandemic there was an enforced closure, but with the Government having recently relaxed the lockdown rules, the course was allowed to reopen and members have been welcomed back.
The club is still taking new members daily, and say they have been pleasantly overwhelmed by the renewed interest in golf, from those trying it for the first time and those that are coming back to it after a period of absence.
As a result, they are offering a free 20-minute lesson with Andy Cameron for every new member in 2020, when it is safe to do so.
General manager Amy Ellis said: “Golf has had a tough time lately as sports like cycling and gyms have impacted the numbers playing in some clubs.
“There is an upsurge now and there is nothing better than walking around a beautiful 120 acres in rural Herefordshire playing with friends and family and enjoying the whole experience.”
