Like many golf clubs in the UK, Bush Hill Park has enjoyed a significant change to the landscape of its membership in recent years, following a revival in golf from both seasoned but previously ‘nomadic’ players, and novices dipping their toe into the game for the first time.
Thanks to the injection of new blood, the club has been able to carry out significant renovations to both the course and the clubhouse that has brought a club that was first founded in 1895, firmly into the 21st century and beyond.
WINNING AWARDS
Stewart Judd, the club’s general manager, who has been in role since 2017, is justifiably proud that Bush Hill Park has become one of the most progressive golf clubs around, and he, and his fellow board members, are determined that the club’s future fortunes are permanently turned around based on the quality of the facilities and the member and visitor experience.
As one of the first clubs in Middlesex to have been awarded England Golf ’s new ‘Respect in Golf ’ accreditation, which recognises a commitment to inspiring a welcoming environment, the club’s progressive attitudes have captured the attention of several major awards in recent years, most recently at the Club Mirror Awards in November 2023 when the club was crowned the Golf Club of the Year Award.
This is the third time the Club has been honoured at these awards following wins in 2019 and 2022, and together with the ‘Golf Club of the Year’ awarded in 2021 by England Golf, marked a quartet of awards.
The judging panels were clearly impressed by developments at the club in the last few years, most notably in respect of women’s golf, which has brought female participation at the club to an all-time high. Nicola Bennett.
DRIVING FORCE
The club’s Senior PGA Professional, and Golf Foundation Ambassador, was recognised in England Golf’s Centenary Awards just last month, where she was the recipient of the Diversity and Inclusion Champion award for her impressive work in breaking down barriers for women in golf, and inspiring new golfers from a wide range of backgrounds within the local community and further afield.
Nicola teaches the Club’s Women Driving Forward campaign that sets up a pathway to golf, which has seen hundreds of women and girls take up the game for the first time.
In 2023, she hosted two primary school festivals at Bush Hill Park, accommodating
16 schools and over 200 pupils. She has also run classes for the Muslim Women’s Sports Association and is passionate about inspiring more young people from all backgrounds, particularly girls, into the sport.
Like the rest of the club, Bush Hill Park’s 18-hole course has not stood still. The 5,776-yard parkland layout recently having been which rated the fourth best in Middlesex by respected authority Top100Courses.com.
Neatly contained in just over 100 acres of suburban parkland, the course is not long by modern standards, but its par of 70, and a sextet of tricky par-three holes and four lengthy par fives, ensures that players must bring their ‘A game’ to score well here.
Some of the fairways are narrow, tree-lined affairs, although it broadens out in places to enable big hitters to open their shoulders on the par fives, three of which are well over 500 yards long.
The closing stretch of holes from 13-18 is especially memorable, with water coming into play on the par-four 17th. All in all, it’s an entertaining mix that will provide a challenge to all elements of your game in delightfully peaceful surroundings.
The installation of a state-of-the-art irrigation system back in 2018 has proved a life saver as faras the course is concerned during a series of hot summers, most notably in 2022, when many courses burnt to a crisp, and it’s more than paid its way in ensuring that quality playing conditions are maintained throughout the season.
In addition to its impressive golf course, Bush Hill Park also boasts a state-of-the-art swing studio, offering advanced swing analysis technology, including Foresight Sports’ GCQuad launch monitor to create a top-quality teaching and practice facility.
The studio is mainly used for lessons and club fittings but is also available to hire by the hour for individual practice or group games on a simulator.
Besides the course, the leafy North London club, located in Winchmore Hill and less than four miles from junction 25 of the M25, is an impressive destination, reached via a long sweeping driveway through beautiful grounds.
The club attracts visitors and hosts re- visiting societies year after year that enjoy the experience of the Club, which has been greatly enhanced in recent years with the Head Chef and in-house catering team serving an exciting menu in relaxed and recently modernised dining areas.
THE CLUBHOUSE
The clubhouse, the Old Park Mansion, is a locally listed building that has been home to its members since 1922 and provides an impressive venue for all occasions, with function rooms of various sizes, the recently renovated Ridings restaurant, contemporary lounge and sports bar, and spacious changing rooms.
The large patio at the front of the building, overlooking the 18th green, and a veranda at the rear overlooking the first tee, provide great places to enjoy a drink in the sunshine with stunning views of the course, making the club the ideal destination to spend time whether or not you’re playing golf.
The club bucks the trend of having one of the most active and vibrant social scenes in Middlesex, and hosts a diverse calendar of events and dining experiences throughout the year.
Continually evolving the member experience is a priority and has recently included the creation of added benefits with a new member referral scheme, special offers with local partners, and complimentary Country Membership with MASHIE Golf that gives members preferential green fees at premium golf clubs all over the UK.
All in all, the club continues to emerge as a destination for a broad range of players and visitors that are seeking a replete golfing experience.
To discuss summer golf days and membership opportunities, please call 020 3146 9892 or visit www.bhpgc.com.