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    06

    Mar 2024

    Last Updated: 06/03/2024

    Mystery surrounds future of Spofforth Golf Course

    by Flora Grafton

    | 06 Mar, 2024
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    spofforthgolfcourse-aerial
    An aerial view of Spofforth Golf Course. Photo: Lister Haigh.

    The owners of Spofforth Golf Course have remained silent following the apparent sale of the site last year.

    The course was listed for sale for £2 million last summer and appeared to be under new ownership in October after agent Lister Haigh changed the listing to sold subject to contract.

    But, five months later, there appears to have been no further developments.

    The Stray Ferret made enquiries after receiving several emails asking about the status of the club. One said:

    "This is the only non-members club in the district offering both nine and 18-hole playing opportunities at affordable rates but it has now been closed for several weeks.
    "I am aware the course was up for sale but has the sale been finalised and are the new owners going to reopen the course?  If so, when?
    "This course is an important local amenity and I'm sure a lot of golfers in the area want to know what us happening."


    They added:

    "The gates to the course are closed, there are no notices on the gates yet the website says the course is open although you can't book a tee time. In this day and age communication is easy and inexpensive yet the future of the course is unknown."


    The Stray Ferret has approached the golf club for an update but has not had a reply.

    We contacted Spofforth Parish Council to see if it could shed light on the situation. It replied:

    “The parish council are not involved with the sale of the golf club, although we understand the sale has been concluded.”


    The parish clerk added the family that owns the club is “still in residence at the house”, but did not provide any further detail.



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    Several people have taken to social media with similar enquiries.

    People commented on the club's Facebook page, which has not been updated since September, asking whether the course is open, with one adding:

    “Does anyone know? No one ever picks up the phone or replies to messages/emails.”


    Spofforth Golf Course, which opened in 1994, was originally a family-run farm, before becoming an 18-hole pay and play site.

    The sale of the 130-acre property included a six-bay driving range, a clubhouse, green-keeping complex and car park, a four-bed detached bungalow, a one-bed stable annexe and a double garage.

    According to the sale listing, the property is still subject to an agricultural occupancy restriction, which states:

    "The occupation of the dwelling shall be limited to a person solely or mainly employed or last employed in the locality in agriculture.”


    It also said the sporting rights were included in the sale, so far as they are “owned or exist”.

    At the time of the sale, we contacted Lister Haigh for further information, which declined to comment and said it was a “private family matter”.