Royal Ascot Golf Club put its own spin on the world’s most prestigious golf event of the year this week.

The Berkshire club welcomed 116 participants to a one-off par-three event which coincided with the world-famous Masters Tournament held some 4,000 miles from its Winkfield Road base.

It marked the highest turnout for this event at the club, with members competing in its very own take on the competition complete with a balloon arch, winners’ buffet and support staff dressed in iconic white boiler suits.

Players competed on a course that mirrored the par three setup at Augusta, which only appears once a year at the club.

This year’s edition of the of the competition saw Mitchell Dowson crowned champion of the course, winning an overnight stay for two at Lingfield Park Marriott Hotel & Country Club, donated by club partner Golfbreaks.

In the build up to an Olympic summer of golf, Stephen Nicholson – General Manager at Royal Ascot Golf Club – thanked everyone who contributed to the day’s success.

“Social events like this encapsulate what makes Royal Ascot Golf Club truly special,” said Stephen “This year’s Masters Tournament saw all kinds of age groups and backgrounds participate from children to veteran golf enthusiasts, a testament to the club’s inclusivity and family-friendly atmosphere.

“There was a real buzz on the day, and we look forward to hosting more social events for members and guests throughout the season.”

The club’s own take on the Masters follows on from its success in introducing more newcomers to the sport through its Golf Academy and Get Into Golf schemes. Both schemes form part of a wider commitment to driving diversity on greens and establishing a welcoming environment for all visitors.

The top three teams also received club discount prizes with the winning team including Phil Holland, Mitchell Dowson, Jordan Wain, and Lee Wain. Jane Stephen – who shot a hole in one – joined Barbara Martin, Richard Berenson and Russell Adamson to finish second while Tim Ellwood, Paul Corbin, Rod Whitehead and Gareth Davies finished third.

After nine holes of golf, participants were treated to a winner’s buffet dinner in the clubhouse. In true Masters fashion, members enjoyed a three-course US themed dining experience in homage to the tournament.

Plans for a follow-up event in 2025 are already underway, with the club also exploring the idea of crossing the water so members have the opportunity to experience the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Course as a group.

Founded in 1887, Royal Ascot Golf Club was granted Royal status by Queen Victoria and is set in 150 acres of wooded Crown land off Winkfield Road and adjacent to the world-famous racecourse.

More information about Royal Ascot Golf Club is available via www.royalascotgolfclub.co.uk.

A Berkshire golf club is starting the new season with a thriving number of female participants amid efforts to increase accessibility and playing provisions for women yet to tee-off.

Founded in 1887, Royal Ascot Golf Club plans to welcome more women to its fairways than any of the club’s previous 137 seasons through its member events, competitions and invitationals.

The club’s thriving women’s operation has been prompted by its Golf Academy and Get Into Golf schemes which provide an introduction to the game, playing techniques and tactics through development tailored to new players.

Growth off the greens has been matched on the course too, with the club’s Ladies Bronze side winning Division One of the Berkshire Bronze County Scratch League under Heather Wing in her final year as team manager. The Silver Team meanwhile played in Division One of the County Silver League and exceeded expectations under Charlotte Munk.  

Ladies Captain Sharon Edwards had never swung a club prior to 2012. Now playing off a competitive handicap, she said joining her local club has helped her to stay active, make friends and be at the heart of a supportive new network.

“We’re really encouraged by the number of new female players we have welcomed to the club since last season,” said Sharon. “It’s testament to everyone’s commitment to ensuring playing golf and learning the sport’s key skills is easy to access and cost friendly for those who have never played before.

“This is an important year for women’s golf with the Olympics and Solheim Cup engaging new audiences and potential future players between now and autumn. Using our playing schemes, we hope to be at the forefront of women’s golf development locally.

“Our achievements on the course are worth celebrating too. Many players in our Ladies Bronze team had never struck a ball before joining the club and now they’re Division One champions.

“With very proud of everyone who contributed to last season’s success and wish Sue Wescombe and Denise Cutler every success taking the team forwards.”

The new season coincides with the release of data which shows only seven per cent of women in the UK will play golf in an organised environment during their lifetime – compared to one in five men.

Sharon believes many women are hesitant to take up golf due to social barriers, such as not having any familiar people to play with.

The club consequently has introduced a Buddy Scheme where existing members team up with new players so they can integrate with the club both on the course and socially.

In its first year, the Buddy Scheme was recognised at the England Golf Awards for leading the sport’s work to reduce barriers and encourage new players.

“Joining any new club can be daunting,” said Sharon. “But our Buddy Scheme has been a real success and helped new players meet the people behind the club, understand golf’s rules and gain their handicap mark.

“We’ve developed a programme of fixtures suitable for players of all abilities too, and adopted a casual dress code to align with our core values of being a welcoming, sociable and inclusive club at the heart of our community.”

Founded in 1887, Royal Ascot Golf Club was granted Royal status by Queen Victoria and is set in 150 acres of wooded Crown land off Winkfield Road and adjacent to the world-famous racecourse.

Further information about the course’s Academy is available via www.royalascotgolfclub.co.uk.

Royal Ascot Golf Club has appointed Lisa Trodd as Head of Sales and Marketing, to lead the club’s strategic growth.

Lisa brings more than 12 years of experience in sports and marketing to the role, including with the NFL and most recently as Head of Marketing at SEKO Logistics covering the UK & Ireland.

The appointment comes shortly after the club was named as runner-up in the Club of the Year Category at the England Golf Awards for its investments in improving its facilities and youth engagement strategies.

Lisa said: “Royal Ascot is a prestigious, inclusive and community-oriented club and I am proud to be joining at a time of ambitious growth.

“I look forward to implementing the club’s ambitious plans, including developing closer sponsorship and commercial relationships with the local businesses community and expanding our membership with more young people, new starters and women.

“I am grateful for the welcome and support I have received from my new colleagues and am excited to ensure the club succeeds in the future while upholding its iconic heritage.”

Lisa’s appointment forms part of Royal Ascot Golf Club’s long-term development strategy which includes ongoing major works to transform the club’s 18-hole course into one of the UK’s leading playing facilities.

Improvements to outside areas including the clubhouse, pro shop and swing studio are planned, with a new scholarship programme to encourage more youngsters into playing golf in an organised environment set to launch later this year.

Stephen Nicholson, General Manager of Royal Ascot Golf Club, said: “This is a significant appointment for the club and we are very pleased to have Lisa on side.

“She brings strong experience in marketing and a passion for sport which is invaluable as we build on our achievements in recent years.

“Our key priorities include the next phase of course and clubhouse improvements and enhancing partnerships with other local sports clubs to ensure the club is a go-to social and events space at the heart of the community.

“On behalf of everyone at Royal Ascot, I extend a warm welcome to Lisa as she begins her new role.”

Founded in 1887, Royal Ascot Golf Club was granted Royal status by Queen Victoria and is set in 150 acres of the woodland of Windsor Great Park off Winkfield Road and adjacent to the world-famous racecourse.

More information about Royal Ascot Golf Club is available via www.royalascotgolfclub.co.uk.

Royal Ascot Golf Club has seen a huge increase in membership of its junior academy, following a campaign to encourage youngsters to try the sport. 

As part of a youth engagement strategy the club has collaborated with local schools and community groups to provide golf tuition sessions for youngsters. The club designated a dedicated welfare officer and three PGA Qualified Professionals to deliver the sessions.

The campaign has seen youngsters get into the swing of golf, with the Junior Academy now boasting an impressive 99 members. The club’s Young Adult Section for under 35s has also seen its membership rise by 50% since the COVID 19 pandemic.

Royal Ascot Golf Club’s efforts have been rewarded with an England Golf Safegolf accreditation, recognising its promotion of a safe and positive environment for those participating, working and volunteering in golf.

Stephen Nicholson, General Manager at Royal Ascot Golf Club, said: “It’s vitally important that our club remains fit for the future so it is great to see more and more young people deciding to get into the sport through our safe, structured golf sessions delivered by qualified professionals.  

“Our ambition is for the club to be embedded as a key part of the community.

“To achieve this, we’ve made positive changes to ensure golf remains appealing and accessible to local people, and we have frozen increases in junior membership fees for the past three seasons.

“In addition to our outreach for junior players, we have expanded our under 35s Young Adult and New to Golf academies, refurbished our clubhouse facilities and are currently upgrading our Wi-Fi infrastructure to encourage flexible working at the club.

“The result of our changes has been to transform our age profile with a younger and more engaged membership than at any point in our recent history. We encourage youngsters and anyone interested in taking up the sport to explore the opportunities we have available.”

Founded in 1887, Royal Ascot Golf Club was granted Royal status by Queen Victoria and is set in 150 acres of the woodland of historic Windsor Great Park off Winkfield Road and adjacent to the world-famous racecourse.

Work to transform Royal Ascot Golf Club’s 18-hole course into one of the UK’s leading playing facilities has started – and £500,000 has been committed to the project.

The move is part of a long-term investment strategy to enhance the playing and social experience for members and visitors alike.  As a course which already provides an all year round challenge, the investment will enhance it’s reputation as one of the most enviable courses in the area.

Each hole will be upgraded by enhancing drainage and irrigation provisions, bunkers will be renovated and new treelines created. The course will also look to establish signature holes and regenerate pathways on the 150-acre wooded crownland site to improve accessibility.

It forms part of a wider programme of investments at the club with other projects including developments to the onsite clubhouse and hospitality options, the creation of a new swing studio, extended pro shop and a fresh commitment to attracting new players to the sport.

Stephen Nicholson, General Manager at Royal Ascot Golf Club, said course improvements will strengthen the through the door experience and value for our members.

“Providing outstanding facilities for club members, guests and those using off-course provisions is our number one priority,” said Stephen. “We are committed to establishing Royal Ascot Golf Club as one of the UK’s top courses.

“Our major investment into all 18 holes forms a key part of achieving this long-term goal and we’re pleased to begin the latest phase of on course developments.

“Golf has exploded in popularity since the turn of the decade, with 5.6million adults in the UK playing a nine or 18-hole course in 2022 alone. The proven physical benefits of participation coupled with the social aspect of the club’s thriving social scene mean we have experienced this uplift first-hand.

“Our intention is to continue building on this positive trend by delivering the highest quality playing facilities possible – and our investment into the course sits at the heart of this.”

The current phase of works will see holes one, nine, ten and eighteen upgraded with an additional round of development planned in the new year.

In charge of the renovation is Royal Ascot Golf Club Course Manager Ian Hockley, who next year celebrates 10 years at the Winkfield Road course which is Berkshire’s second oldest and the only to have a Royal title.

He said: “It’s an exciting time to be on the ground at Royal Ascot Golf Club as our course undergoes its biggest upgrade since moving over from the racecourse.

“The existing layout has been a popular year-round challenge for both our members and guests. But this investment will unlock the course’s true potential and we’re excited for the future.

“Tee-times during works will remain unaffected and we thank our loyal members for their support of this project which, once complete, will attract new and existing players.”