Crown Golf Scores FootGolf Hat-Trick

• Third FootGolf launch from UK's largest golf owner / operator
• Sunbury serves large M3 corridor west of London catchment area

SHEPPERTON, MIDDLESEX, UK .. The M3 corridor west of London now has its first FootGolf course, after the October opening of a new attraction at Sunbury Golf Centre.

Sunbury, a 27-hole ‘pay-and-play’ golf centre located close to M3 Junction 1 between Sunbury-on-Thames and Shepperton, has created a permanent, full-length 18-hole FootGolf course around its existing 9-hole short course.

At the moment, FootGolf can be played there after 1pm each Sunday, although the golf centre plans to increase availability in 2015.

FootGolf is a hybrid of the two sports, in which size 5 footballs and 21-inch cups replace normal golf balls and holes. Just as in golf, players attempt get the ball into the hole in as few shots as possible but, unlike golf, the human body provides the only permissible equipment: namely, your feet.

“Hundreds have already played our new FootGolf course in its first month” said the golf centre’s Karl Hodge. “FootGolf is growing fast across the UK, and no wonder – it is ridiculously good fun, anyone can play it, and you can wear what you like. It generally takes just over an hour, and anyone who can kick a ball – including toddlers – is welcome to come and have a game! It’s especially good for families and groups of friends”.

“We’re delighted that Sunbury is the latest golf centre to embrace our sport” said Mike O’Connor, President of the UK FootGolf Association. “It means that FootGolf is now available to a very large new catchment area west of London. It’s a great way to spend time on a Sunday afternoon, so if you haven’t yet tried it, I urge you to grab some friends and get to Sunbury!”

Footballs are supplied by the golf centre, and a round of FootGolf costs £14.50 at Sunbury Golf Centre (£10 for under-16s).

Sunbury is the third Crown Golf venue to open a FootGolf course. The group’s Director of Operations Rob Climas explains why more of its clubs will shortly be adopting the fast-growing sport: “FootGolf attracts football and general sports lovers to a golf club, and I have yet to meet someone who didn’t enjoy themselves” he said.

“FootGolf is the best variation on golf I have ever seen” he continued. “It has proven highly popular already at two of our other facilities: Addington Court Golf Centre near Croydon, and at South Essex Golf Centre near Brentwood. Golf needs to attract new faces, and FootGolf brings a new type of person to our clubs. Some of them will go on to try ‘normal’ golf, and some will remain purely FootGolf customers, but they are all welcome.

“We see FootGolf as a key factor, predominately at our pay-and-play clubs, going forwards”.

Ends.

www.crown-golf.co.uk

The award-winning Crown Golf group has 25 UK golf facilities and 38 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.

www.sunburygolf.co.uk

Sunbury Golf & Function Centre is a well-established Golf Centre ideally located 5 minutes from J1 of the M3 and close to the major areas of Walton, Weybridge, Shepperton, Ashford and Staines. All areas of Sunbury Golf Centre are open to the public and we pride ourselves on being both affordable and accessible to all ages and standard of golfer. Sunbury Golf Centre comprises an 18-hole golf course, a 9-hole golf course, an 18-hole FootGolf course (new in autumn 2014), a 32-bay floodlit driving range, a Crown Golf Academy, a well-stocked golf shop, a licensed bar with bar menu, and a large function room (the ideal wedding venue) which is bookable 7 nights a week. Our 27 holes of golf are kept in first-class condition and are ideal for all standards of golfer. The 18-hole course is a testing Par 68 measuring 5,153 yards with the 6th and 8th holes being particularly challenging as they run parallel to a large lake. The course finishes with a long par 5 running back to the clubhouse. The 9-hole course is perfect for those new to golf or for those who don’t have time for a full 18 holes. The course measures 2,444 yards and is made up of six par 4s and three par 3s, providing a good challenge in its own right. The 18-hole FootGolf course was designed by The UK FootGolf Association and is popular with all ages and especially families and groups of friends.

www.ukfootgolf.com

The UK FootGolf Association is the official governing body for FootGolf in the United Kingdom. The objective of FootGolf is similar to golf: get the ball in the hole in as few shots as possible. However, size 5 footballs and 21-inch cups replace normal golf equipment, and only feet may be used. FootGolf holes generally vary between 50 and 180 yards in length, and may be adapted based on the size of the playing area. FootGolf is a highly addictive sport, combining the best of both football and golf, and is appealing to devotees of both. A strategic combination of power and precision is needed to successfully master FootGolf, which is a non-contact sport appealing to all ages and both sexes. The sport is played internationally, with the first FootGolf World Cup held in 2012. The global governing body for FootGolf is the FIFG (Federation for International FootGolf), which has a website at www.fifg.org.