CHESFIELD DOWNS GC GETS THE POULTER FACTOR

A Hertfordshire golf club has become the centre of media attention after Ian Poulter’s heroics in The Ryder Cup.

Chesfield Downs Golf & Country Club, which is part of the Crown Golf group, made national TV news headlines this week when it found itself in the spotlight following Poulter’s inspiring performance at Medinah, which gave the European Team the momentum it needed to retain the Cup in the USA.

Poulter joined the club as a junior in 1992, and subsequently became an Assistant Pro to the club’s Head Professional.

Born in Hitchin, Herts, Poulter became a single-figure golfer aged 14. He won the Chesfield Downs Club Championship in 1993 aged 17, and within three years was playing in the European Tour qualifying school. He was named the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie Of The Year on the European Tour in 2000, and made his Ryder Cup debut in 2004. Now a veteran of four Ryder Cups, Poulter – so far unbeaten in Singles matches – has won 12 of his 15 Ryder Cup matches, making him one of the most successful Ryder Cup golfers of all time.

The golf club was featured in several national TV and radio news bulletins the day after The Ryder Cup finished, and in national newspaper and website articles.

Chesfield Downs G&CC General Manager Tim Hudson says: “Although his father is a member here, the club hasn’t maintained its relationship with Ian as closely as you might have expected. We hope to change this: we’re all naturally thrilled that a Ryder Cup icon and one of the world’s top golfers was a member and assistant at Chesfield Downs. We’re planning to commemorate his achievements in Medinah with some memorabilia in the clubhouse.”

The club’s Crown Golf Academy gives over a thousand golf lessons to junior golfers each year, and with a 150-strong junior section, Keith Bond hopes that Poulter’s example will inspire future generations of the club’s young golfers to go on and emulate Poulter. “All the youngsters who use the club are really excited to think Ian Poulter was once a junior member at their club,” he said, “and with some of the young talent we have here maybe it won’t be long before we produce another star of the future!”

Chesfield Downs members have already been suggesting how the club might recognise Poulter’s achievements, including naming a function room after him, hosting an annual golf day for his nominated charity or a junior Open competition.

Tim Hudson hopes that the club’s superstar ex-member will return to Chesfield Downs before long, perhaps to attend a charity event for the club’s members and guests. “ It would be exciting for everybody to see Ian back at the club,” he said. “Ian is already inspiring a new generation of young golfers the world over, and we are immensely proud that he is so deeply connected to Chesfield Downs Golf & Country Club.”

Contact Chesfield Downs Golf & Country Club on +44 (0)1462 482929 / chesfielddowns@crown-golf.co.uk

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If you’d like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Tim Hudson or Keith Bond, please call or email Andy Hiseman on +44 (0)7795 360112 / andy@hiseman.com

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IAN POULTER
Ryder Cup superstar Ian Poulter with a young golfer at a Crown Golf club

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CHESFIELD DOWNS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
View of the golf course #1

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CHESFIELD DOWNS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
View of the clubhouse

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CHESFIELD DOWNS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
View of the golf course #2

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CHESFIELD DOWNS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
View of the golf course #3

www.chesfielddownsgolf.co.uk

Chesfield Downs Golf & Country Club hosts one of the finest inland links style 18 hole courses with undulating fairways and USGA greens. The 6646 yard par 71 course designed by Jonathan Gaunt is an enjoyable challenge for golfers of all abilities. The course boasts all year playability due to its undulating topography and the free draining chalkland soil on which it is constructed. In addition to the 18 hole golf course we have the locally renowned Lannocks Links, a Par 3 course maintained to the same exacting standards as the main course and an environment where many a new golfer has been discovered. Every member and guest receives a wonderful warm welcome, excellent hospitality and service levels of the very highest standard.

www.crown-golf.co.uk

The award-winning Crown Golf group has 26 UK golf facilities and 39 golf courses in its portfolio. With pride in customer service and innovation, Crown Golf (established in 1994) aims to provide an outstanding golf experience for its members and visitors, tailor-made to suit the lifestyles and needs of a wide range of golfers. The company’s flagship is the European Tour venue St Mellion International Resort, home to The Nicklaus Signature Course – the first in the UK to be designed by 18-time Major-winner Jack Nicklaus.