Clandeboye Estate secures future of premier Co Down golf centre
INVESTMENT plans for one of Northern Ireland's key golf venues have been unveiled with the announcement yesterday that the Blackwood Golf Centre near Bangor has been acquired by the Clandeboye Estate Company Ltd.
The deal marks the return of land forming part of the the ancient estate to the control of the family and secures the future of the buisiness which went into administration in November last year.
Clandeboye Estate Company had originally granted a long term lease to a private company made up of a group of shareholders.
The deal came following an agreement between the shareholders and administrators and Clandeboye Estate which represents the commercial interests of Clandeboye owner, Lady Dufferin, Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava.
Clandeboye Estate Company now has full control of the lease, ownership and management of Blackwood which occupies 234 acres of Lady Dufferin’s picturesque and ancient estate.
Affirming her commitment and intention to invest in the future of the centre, Lady Dufferin said: “It was always my plan to make the beauty of the Clandeboye Estate open to golfers.
“Since we opened Blackwood Golf Centre in 1995, thousands of people have enjoyed playing our two magnificent golf courses and using the unrivalled practice facilities.
“Like so many companies, the last year has been a difficult and uncertain one for the golf business but I am delighted that we have succeeded in bringing Blackwood Golf Centre under the management and ownership of the Clandeboye Estate Company and thus securing the future of golf here for years to come.
“We are busy working with our core group of members to identify area that require investment and look forward to upgrading a number of elements to the business in coming months.”.
Blackwood is one of the largest pay and play golf developments in Northern Ireland with a par 3 course, a championship course and a 26 bay floodlit covered driving range. It now joins the yoghurt business begun on the estate just over a year ago as part of a growing portfolio of Clandeboye businesses activities.
As well as an art gallery the courtyard of the house is also used as a wedding and conference venue while an off-road driving experience also operates independently within the estate grounds.
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Tuesday 14 February 2012
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