JON CONNELL
When membership numbers in most golf clubs were shrinking around the turn of the millennium, we realised that we had to change tack. As a business, we had to diversify to survive. Now such thinking is part of the DNA that will carry Badgemore Park through the next 25 years. In 1998, we bought Garden Cottage to run as a bed & breakfast facility that would provide welcome income through our quieter, winter months. If all goes to plan, we will be adding further bedrooms in the not-too- distant future. From when we first bought the golf club, we also had our eyes on Badgemore House, which overlooks the eighth tee – we believed it was under-utilised as office space. We managed to buy it in 2013 and almost immediately realised its potential. Now we have 100 per cent occupancy and a rental income stream that can help us ride out economic shocks, such as that brought upon us by the Covid pandemic. We also started to expand into the wedding and function sector and have continued down that path. In every sense, Badgemore is proving to be the perfect venue for such gatherings. In 2018 we diversified further by opening our boutique gym – known as FOCUS – and I’m delighted at how this has enhanced the club’s reputation. So, what does the future hold? Where will we be 25 years from now? I believe a modern country club is the area most suited to Badgemore Park. Alongside our leisure activities, we have recently developed a wellness hub and expanded into medical solutions – a combination of fitness, health and beauty treatments that will be on-site and easily accessible. We already have a podiatrist, an osteopath, a hairdresser, aesthetic and cosmetic beauty treatments, sports and tonic massage and a nutritionist. We also have plans for a spa, an indoor swimming pool and an enhanced, larger gym. More than anything, we want the whole of Henley to feel welcome to visit the club. Allowing local people to come and try the facility will lead them to see the benefits of becoming a member. We want a wide cross-section of ages and an even gender balance. We are looking for people who are going to be members for the next 20 years and beyond and to feel that we are a family-oriented club. We are proud of all we have achieved so far as custodians of Badgemore Park, but we want to go further. We want to create an environment where members and guests will spend the day – having a wonderfully relaxing and fun time in our uniquely beautiful setting. We are committed to ensuring that every experience of Badgemore Park exceeds expectations and that we always challenge ourselves to question the status quo and to seek to B:MORE by delivering more. Let the next phase begin!
“We want to create an environment where members and guests will spend the day – having a wonderfully relaxing, fun time”
121 / NEAR THE DRINK
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