Alistair Dunsmuir

London

Managing Editor at The Golf Business

Managing Editor at Greenkeeping

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Articles

How many golfers and golf clubs are there in England?

1 week ago | thegolfbusiness.co.uk | Alistair Dunsmuir

New data from England Golf reveals there are 1,735 golf clubs in England and more than 730,000 people are members of golf clubs in England. But what are their ages and which counties have the most clubs and members? Over 10.2 million scores were submitted through the World Handicap System™ (WHS™) in England in 2024. That number saw competition scores grow to 5.7 million (from 5.4 million in 2023), while general play scores saw an increase from 3.9 million to 4.4 million in the same period.
Digital queuing system used for first time at the Old Course in St Andrews

1 week ago | thegolfbusiness.co.uk | Alistair Dunsmuir

More than 3,600 golfers were successful in securing a last-minute tee off time on the historic Old Course using a new, digital draw. With nearly 14,500 entries, a quarter of those who sought to play the iconic course were able to access tee times thanks to the singles draw introduced by St Andrews Links Trust. Previously, under a process used since the 1990s, single golfers who were not able to secure a tee time in another way could queue up outside the starter’s hut.
More golf clubs appoint a woman as captain for first time

1 week ago | thegolfbusiness.co.uk | Alistair Dunsmuir

More golf clubs have this month announced that they have appointed a woman as captain for the first time in their history. High Post Golf Club in Wiltshire, for example, has elected Debbie Rock as its club captain for 2025 — the first woman in the club’s 103-year history to hold this prestigious role. Debbie’s connection to High Post began nearly a decade ago when she joined the inaugural WiGs (Women into Golf) programme, an inspiring initiative led by Kate Gregory and the High Post pro team.
Prince’s Golf Club completes major clubhouse renovation

1 week ago | thegolfbusiness.co.uk | Alistair Dunsmuir

Prince’s Golf Club, host of the 1932 Open Championship, has completed a significant clubhouse renovation. With both aesthetic and functional upgrades, the newly renovated clubhouse is set to enhance the experience for both members and visitors alike. The clubhouse exterior has been transformed with a full white rendering and the addition of new windows, giving the building a sleek, contemporary look while preserving its historic charm.
Golf Ireland celebrates Rory McIlroy’s Grand Slam

1 week ago | thegolfbusiness.co.uk | Alistair Dunsmuir

Golf Ireland has extended its congratulations to Rory McIlroy after his thrilling play-off victory at The Masters, seeing the Holywood native become the first European to claim the career Grand Slam. McIlroy was made to battle all the way in the final round on Sunday while former Ryder Cup teammate Justin Rose emerged from the chasing pack. Rose forced a play-off but it was destiny for McIlroy, who sunk the winning putt before sinking to his knees on the 18th green.
London Golf Club to embark on major expansion

1 week ago | thegolfbusiness.co.uk | Alistair Dunsmuir

London Golf Club in Kent, which has said it wants to host the Ryder Cup in the 2030s, has had planning approval granted for a major expansion of its facilities. The work will include a new 240-bedroom hotel and spa, to make it a ‘health and wellbeing-focused leisure destination’ in Kent. The hotel will be on five levels and will have a gym, restaurant and bar.
Golf club burgled for fourth time in seven months

1 week ago | thegolfbusiness.co.uk | Alistair Dunsmuir

A golf club in Devon has said it has been burgled for the fourth time in seven months, and this time all of its historic trophies were stolen. Teignmouth Golf Club says it is ‘devastated’ about the loss.The club, which celebrated its centenary last year, was broken into during the night on Wednesday, April 2, and the trophies taken represent its history and are irreplaceable. General manager Martin Hucklesby said the incident was “Just shocking. Late at night, arriving. Police were here.
Legend Peter McEvoy OBE passes away

2 weeks ago | thegolfbusiness.co.uk | Alistair Dunsmuir

One of the UK’s greatest ever amateur golfers, Peter McEvoy OBE, has passed away. Born in London in 1953, Peter was brought up in Renfrewshire, Scotland and swung a club for the first time there with his father, a doctor, and a member of the local club, Gourock, near Greenock. His family moved to the West Midlands when he was 10 and, aged 13, he joined Copt Heath Golf Club near Solihull.
Scottish golf club is up for sale as a ‘housing development’

2 weeks ago | thegolfbusiness.co.uk | Alistair Dunsmuir

A Scottish golf club has been placed up for sale as a residential ‘development opportunity’ – but the course is set to survive. Helensburgh Golf Club has been advertised as “a unique and picturesque setting for future residential development” in Argyll and Bute. Savills, which is managing the sale, said the site – which stretches about 20 acres (eight hectares) – boasts “breathtaking views” over the Clyde Estuary to the south and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park to the north.
3 Hammers wins ‘Golf Facility of the Year’

3 weeks ago | thegolfbusiness.co.uk | Alistair Dunsmuir

The 3 Hammers Golf Complex in Wolverhampton has been named ‘Golf Facility of the Year’ by England Golf. The award recognises the inclusive, welcoming and diverse nature of the venue, the role it plays in the local community and its commitment to developing golf and golfers. This is also the second award for the venue in less than a week having won bronze in the new business category at the Staffordshire Tourism Awards.