London-based Hanover Investors has become the principal shareholder in Caddies Europe, the group behind GolfStar, Northern Europe’s largest multi-course golf operator.
GolfStar runs 30 courses across 25 facilities in Sweden, Finland and Spain. Most are in Sweden, which has 20 facilities in all, including Waxholms Golfklubb and Brollsta GK around Stockholm. It expanded to the Gothenburg area in 2024 with Stannum Golf, formerly Stora Lundby, and to the south of Sweden last year with Hinton Golf’s three facilities of Rönnebäck, Kvarnby and Sofiedal outside Malmö. It moved into Finland in 2024 by acquiring four facilities from GoGolf, including Kurk Golf in Kirkkonummi, and became operator of Planmeca Golf Areena in Helsinki in January. Its Spanish base is GolfStar Cambrils.
Hanover’s investment of more than SEK 100 million (about £7.8 million) is intended mainly to bring new golf facilities into the group, alongside continued investment in the experience for existing members. The group plans to concentrate on its existing markets, with other European markets considered over time, and will continue to talk to club owners and operators looking for a long-term partner. Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
Founder Tony Trigell remains chief executive and a significant shareholder, reinvesting alongside Hanover, and the existing management team continues to run the business. The change of ownership does not affect day-to-day operations, memberships, bookings or partner agreements.
Caddies has grown from a Swedish golf operator into a group covering course operations, course maintenance and digital services for golfers and the wider industry.
Trigell said: “This is a milestone for Caddies, and particularly for GolfStar. Hanover shares our view of what this business can become. Our mission is unchanged: we will continue to run and develop our businesses, now with the capital and experience to take the next step faster.”
Ashkan Senobari, partner at Hanover, said: “Golf rewards patience and consistency, and so does good ownership. Caddies have a strong team, well-run facilities and a loyal member base. We intend to be a long-term partner, investing in the courses and the player experience.”
Stefan Brikell, chief executive of GolfStar Europe, said the deal puts the group in a better position to keep investing in its facilities, offering and people, and to bring its model to more golf facilities.
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