HOW IT ALL BEGAN!
The Cambridge Golf & Conference Centre started life in 2003, when owners Peter Durham & Teresa Neeson moved from senior positions at American Golf Discount to start their own business.
By sticking religously to their business principals of providing the very best service combined with the best practice facilities and a wide choice of products at the lowest prices, they have grown the golf centre into a multi million pound business.
2008 will see probably the most exciting phase where along with golf, they have created a family leisure and business centre, providing fine dining in a beautiful restaurant, a sports bar including a golfers snug, short game area, new high tech Golf Academy and conferencing for up to 250 people.
The story of how his came about is probably best told by Peter & Teresa
TERESA "In 2003, we took over the Hemingford Abbots Golf Range. Due to having family back in Manchester, we were unable to sell our house, so we literally moved into the building and slept on the premises. At that time, the building consisted of a golf range and two portacabins welded together".
PETER "Over the next 12 months, we worked hard to upgrade the range, including new range balls, mats, targets and a lick of paint. We also entered into an agreement with Direct Golf to act as retail consultants in return for them supplying stock. This action, combined with the very attentive service, resulted in the turnover doubling in our first year.
TERESA "The second year saw even more growth and allowed us to purchase the freehold and plan the build of a new retail Superstore. Operating under licence, the retail store was renamed Direct Golf and opened in December 2005"
PETER "Direct Golf is recognised as one of the fastest growing brands in golf and the combination of our new superstore, world class service and the lowest prices proved to be a big hit in Cambridgeshire. To help with the running of the store, we brought in the expertise of Ian Cochrane, who previously worked as a store manager for American Golf before becoming an area manager for Direct Golf. His appointment as director of retail allowed Teresa and myself to focus on the final phase of expansion, the creation of a family leisure and business centre.
The teaching Academy, under the control of Jamie Donaldson was also gaining a strong reputation in the area for giving excellent tuition and making a real difference to peoples games.
Jamie Donaldson Academy Director
However, we wanted to provide more than just a golf range, teaching academy and retail store, we wanted to create one of the best and most complete practice and teaching facilites in Europe. Add to this one of the most exciting restaurants and bar complexes in east anglia and conferencing facilities for the most discerning business and you have the Cambridge Golf & Conference Centre.
Along with all these facilities, we can assure you of the same attentive service that has made us winners of the Huntingshire business awards for three years running. Teresa and I will still be involved in all the day to day running of the business and be on hand to give you the same special, friendly service.
It is you, our customers and indeed many new found friends that have made all this possible and we would like to say a very big Thank You.
In return for your support, we hope you approve of the new complex and invite you and your friends to treat it as home, enjoying the fabulous menus, italian coffee and warm friendly ambience. And if you have any questions, Teresa and I will always be on hand to spend time with you, whether its advice on your golf, arranging a suprise party or getting head chef, Simon to make your favourite dish.
After project managing for the last year, we are both looking forward to getting back to what we enjoy best, spending time with you, our very special customers!
If you have any further questions or would like to give feedback on your visits to our complex, please email peter@cgcc.co.uk
Here's to having some fun together in our new complex!
Peter & Teresa
