Bury Golf Club has chosen to join Link Golf UK, becoming the first private members’ club to sign up to Link Club, the operator’s private members’ arm. Some 97 percent of members backed the move.
The result followed a members’ presentation and vote at the club. It was the first time Link Golf UK has put a proposal to a full membership vote.
Founded in 1890, Bury is one of the north west’s historic clubs. It has a long-standing connection to Harry Vardon, the six-time Open champion, and a course designed by Dr Alister MacKenzie.
Under the Link Club model, the club keeps its name, badge, freehold and elected board. The board continues to run competitions, handicaps, team matches and the club calendar, and membership fees are set with the board. Link Golf UK takes on the day-to-day running of the club and carries the financial risk. All existing staff transfer to the group under TUPE, with their terms and conditions protected. Members’ competition times are ring-fenced, and visitor green fees fill the remaining tee times.
Link Golf UK has committed £500,000 of phase one investment at Bury. This will create a modern members’ bar with an outdoor terrace overlooking the 18th green, alongside new locker rooms, showers and toilets. Further investment will go into the course and machinery, including a fleet of robotic mowers, a greens turf iron and a new maintenance programme. The greenkeeping team at Bury will deliver it, with support from Link Golf UK’s group course manager, Jared Ellison.
Link Golf UK was founded in 2019 by Andrew Terry, a PGA professional, and Joe Jackson, whose background is in finance, to save Marland Golf Course in Rochdale from closure after the council announced it was losing about £200,000 a year.
Terry, co-founder and chief executive of Link Golf UK, said: “This was our first ever members’ presentation and vote and standing in front of a room full of people who care that much about their club is a reminder of exactly what we are being trusted with. The members have looked after Bury for a long time. Joe and I take that responsibility very seriously and we intend to be the custodians this club deserves.
“I grew up just down the road in Heywood and went to college here in Bury, so I know exactly what this club means to the town and what its reputation once was. This is a special golf club with a fantastic layout and we think it can be one of the very best clubs in the region.”
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