Farleigh celebrates 10 years with 10 of the best

Farleigh Golf Club is celebrating 10 years of dramatic improvements, significant investment and increasing success after it was purchased by The Foxhills Collection in 2010 with 10 exclusive offers for its members, as well as giving away golf days worth £10k for local good causes.

The club, located in Warlingham, is running a number of initiatives throughout September to celebrate its 10-year anniversary, including £10 member guest rates midweek and £10 off golf lessons.

Previously known as Farleigh Court, the club was purchased by the Hayton family 10 years ago to form The Foxhills Collection, which also comprises the prestigious Foxhills Club & Resort located in Ottershaw.

Since then, Farleigh has grown from strength to strength, with 2020 underpinning its success with a, very fitting, record year for membership sales.

As a family-owned club, Farleigh has seen the personal attention and crucial investment that it needed from a new owner, who is now the longest of four, with more than £5 million spent on refurbishing the clubhouse and golf courses.

The clubhouse refurbishment and remodelling included the installation of a number of contemporary meeting rooms and function spaces, which has seen it become a sought-after venue for corporate events and weddings, as well as the opening of the highly-regarded Nineteen bar and restaurant, renowned locally for its delicious Sunday carvery.

On the course, a number of substantial enhancements have also been made over the years to put the club on the map as one of the premier golf clubs in Surrey and a regular host of national PGA tournaments.

The stunning 27-hole venue is home to three nine-hole courses, which can be played as three 18-hole loops, and all three have been revamped since Marc Hayton took the reins.

The course’s original architects, John Jacobs Associates, were brought back to upgrade the 350-acre layout, which has also benefitted from a couple of new fleets of greenkeeping equipment costing more than £1 million alone, as well as a new irrigation and drainage system that makes it one of the best winter courses in the area.

The club is proud of its ‘Farleigh Guarantee’ of no temporary greens or tees, meaning golfers can enjoy excellent course conditions at any time of the year in all weather conditions.

This, combined with Farleigh’s well-presented fairways, USGA-standard greens and extensive range of practice facilities – which include a driving range, putting green and short game area – has seen it build an enviable reputation among golfers, with more than 600 members now on the books and more category one golfers than ever, thanks to the course conditions and competitive field.

The club is somewhat unrecognisable from what it was in 2010, with many members considering the golf course “neglected” before The Foxhills Collection took over.

One of the club’s founder members and this year’s senior club champion, Len Coffill, said: “We have seen many changes over the last 22 years – some good and some not so good. 

“10 years ago The Foxhills Collection purchased Farleigh Golf Club and it was like a breath of fresh air, revamping the clubhouse into a superb 19th and an improvement in greenkeeping staff has developed a golf course where the greens are the envy of every golf club in Surrey. 

“With the excellent appointment of James Ibbetson as general manager, the team is now complete and I have no doubt that the club will continue to thrive. We all look forward to an exciting future as part of The Foxhills Collection.”

Sandra Miller, ladies committee member and former captain, echoed Coffill’s comments: “As a founder member of Farleigh Golf Club, joining in 1997, I have seen many changes within the club, including several owners and the deterioration of the courses.

“Then, in 2010, The Foxhills Collection acquired Farleigh and turned the course and clubhouse around, creating a very family friendly environment, along with a championship course which hosts various professional events, and, in my opinion, the best practice facilities in the area. The staff throughout the club carry Marc’s vision and the membership has continued to grow – I am very proud to be a member of Farleigh.”

The Foxhills Collection’s owner and managing director, Marc Hayton, said: “We are obviously delighted with the success and growth of Farleigh over the last 10 years, but the hard work has only really just started and we always have one eye on the future to make even more improvements.

“The long-term plan, which we have shared with Tandridge Council, has always been to add features to Farleigh that its sister club Foxhills is known for – we want to add to the already excellent facilities to eventually transform Farleigh to a country club or resort.

“Until then, we continue to offer great golf and a warm welcome.”

If you are a local good cause within 10 miles of Farleigh, you can apply for a golf day worth up to £1,000 by emailing enquiries@farleighfox.co.uk. There are 10 to give away in total and terms and conditions apply.

For more information, visit: www.farleighfox.co.uk