The surge in golf participation since 2020 has meant that two hotels in Devon, which both employed a new PGA golf manager last year, have both now opened a new practice range to signify the importance of their golf offerings.
Two golfing hotels in Devon have both just opened a new driving range.
Bovey Castle, set in Dartmoor National Park and owned by luxury hotel group The Eden Hotel Collection, has unveiled a new £40,000 all-weather heated four bay driving range to add to its 280-yard grass tee driving range, which is situated next to the hotel’s 18-hole golf course.
The course itself, designed in 1926 by J F Abercromby, has just completed a five-figure round of investment so guests can take a swing all year round.
It comes as the hotel continues to grow its golf memberships, which have increased from 140 to more than 270 since Teignmouth local Rob Selley became the hotel’s PGA golf manager last year alongside hosting events, including the South West PGA Open Series.
Rob, who has more than 30 years’ experience in the golf industry, said the investment marks the latest stage in the hotel’s efforts to make golf accessible to all ages and abilities.
He said: “Historically, golf has been a seasonal activity at Bovey, but now golfers of all abilities can practice all year round in beautiful surroundings.
“Now we have a high-quality sheltered practice area to complement one of the best parkland championship golf courses in the country, we are starting to explore different ways that we can nurture the next wave of golfers – such as tuition breaks, programmes for juniors and ‘Get into Golf’ sessions for new golfers after seeing a rise in interest in this area.
“Since the pandemic we’ve found that golf has risen in popularity – especially at Bovey – where people can get outdoors for a digital detox and exercise in picturesque surroundings, so the new sheltered driving ranges are a timely arrival.”
The all-weather driving ranges form part of a wider programme of investment in Bovey Castle’s golf facilities, with further works on the hotel’s golf shop and members’ area set to take place in 2025.
Dean Gunston, general manager at Bovey Castle, added: “We have now created an authentic club experience where golfers can indulge in the hotel’s facilities before or after stepping on to the golf course and driving range.
“This approach has played an important role in growing our golf offering, and backed up by ongoing investment in our golf facilities, we are teeing ourselves up for further success.”
Meanwhile, Vine Hotels-managed Best Western The Dartmouth Hotel, Golf and Spa has announced the recent opening of its new golf range practice facility.
Located on six acres of land adjacent to the fifth and sixth holes on the Dartmouth Course, the range provides novices and those with more experience the opportunity to practice against the beautiful Devon countryside. There is direct road access and parking, a grass teeing area, an artificial teeing area, a practice chipping green, and a greenside bunker which will also double up as a fairway bunker. The practice range provides room to hit long irons and, for some, a driver.
With no need to book and free to use, up to six golfers at a time can enjoy the range all day during daylight hours. All they have to do is bring their own golf balls or purchase a bag from the pro shop.
The hotel resort also offers an 18-hole championship golf course and a nine-hole club course, along with 35 elegantly furnished guestrooms and six self-catering cottages, a full spa, health club, bar and bistro.
Hotel general manager Ian Davies said: “In the last 18 months I have placed a real focus on further enhancing our already excellent golf offering. Securing the services of Stuart Barrett, one of the most highly regarded PGA golf pros in the south-west of England, and now the opening a brand-new practice range are two of the key elements that I believe our golfers will really benefit from.”
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