An East Yorkshire golf club has been bought as it approaches its 40th anniversary.
The Boothferry course, and the adjacent Howden Footgolf centre, has been taken on by Cheshire business entrepreneurs Jonathan and Lynn Spencer, in an undisclosed deal.
Trading as Spaldington Golf Centre Ltd, it has been sold by Chris Mowforth, having been in the farming family since 2005, when it was bought from East Riding Council.
Opened in 1982 by the then Boothferry Borough Council, the 18-hole course was developed on Vale of York land previously used to bring forward airships in the 1920s - both the ill-fated R38 and the Barnes Wallis-led R100.
Mr Mowforth, who turned to an old school pal to assist with the deal, said: “2020 was a phenomenally busy one for the golf club and it has been great to see so many people playing, as well as new members taking up golf at Boothferry, so I feel the club is really well placed for Jonathan and Lynn to take it forward.
“Given our principal business interests are in farming and with the course effectively operated under management, we felt strongly that a confidential approach to marketing the club was required.
"Christie & Co had previously acted for us and we knew their team and Jon Patrick who handled the sale for us very well - in fact, he and I were in the sixth form at Goole Grammar school many years ago and several of our former classmates are members of the club.”
The par 73 course extends to 6,651 yards and is located just outside Howden. An adjacent facility includes a 20-bay driving range, 9-hole par 30 course and two footgolf courses. Used for business too, the Barnes Wallis Room within the club can accommodate 80.
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Jon Patrick, Christie & Co director and head of leisure and development, said: “Many of our business disposal assignments are conducted on a confidential basis, in fact it is very commonplace. Boothferry Golf Club has a good reputation in the area and the various treatments and drainage facilities Chris, and the team have implemented over the years mean that temporary tees and winter greens rarely have to be used, something the membership appreciates.
“Since outdoor activities including golf were allowed to reopen in June last year, we have seen a surge in interest for outdoor businesses. The golfing sector has definitely benefited from this and we envisage that golf will again be one of the first activities allowed to re-open following the easing of the current lockdown restrictions.”