Royal Ascot Golf Club is backing efforts to boost links with other local sports clubs through a series of friendlies across three disciplines.

The latest fixture saw the golf club join forces with Ascot United FC by swapping irons and footballs for bats and stumps to face off against a mixed-ability side at Royal Ascot Cricket Club, who scraped to victory by just three runs.

The community-spirited events are part of Royal Ascot Golf Club’s ambition to cement its status as a go-to social venue locally.

Stephen Nicholson, General Manager at Royal Ascot Golf Club, said: “While naturally disappointed with the result, an enjoyable day was had by all and we extend our congratulations to Royal Ascot CC.

“Participating in these events and interacting with players and supporters from the football and cricket teams underscores the importance we place on the social aspects of our club.

“The friendlies provide us with an opportunity to demonstrate that Royal Ascot Golf Club is a welcoming, inclusive social venue for everyone in the community.

“Whether you’d like to attend a quiz or dance organised by the social committee or enjoy the two bars in our clubhouse and restaurant for a meal or private function, we encourage local people to make use of our fantastic facilities.”

Sam Knight, Events Manager at Ascot United FC, said: “Participating in these events with our friends from Royal Ascot CC and Royal Ascot golf club only build on what is already a fantastic relationship. It was a closely fought game played in great spirits with RACC taking the honours but as in boxing we’ve got them contractually obliged to a rematch."

Mark Wiggett, Chair of Royal Ascot CC, said: “RACC were delighted to host the first challenge T20 cricket match in glorious late-summer sunshine. A high-quality game ended in the tightest of finishes but the friendly competitiveness made the game so enjoyable. We look forward to this becoming an annual event and strengthening the community relationships between all the clubs."

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

Further information about the course, membership and onsite provisions including its seven-day-a-week restaurant and function space is available via www.royalascotgolfclub.co.uk.

A golf enthusiast who first learnt to play at her local course during the COVID-19 pandemic is encouraging others to tee-off by trying their hand at one of the UK’s fastest growing sports.

Lesley O’Doherty opted for life on the fairway following her retirement three years ago and is now a fully-fledged member at Royal Ascot Golf Club in Berkshire where she plays in tournaments and is part of the club’s thriving social scene.

Her new-found passion was facilitated by the course’s Golf Academy Scheme, which is managed by PGA Professional Rob Daw.

Designed for players of all abilities and experiences, the Academy targets individuals looking to take their first steps in golf and existing players wishing to hone their skills via group lessons, one-on-one sessions and integrating into the club’s buddy scheme.

Now playing off a handicap 14 shots lower to when she first started, Lesley hopes to encourage a new generation of golfers to experience the sport’s health and social benefits.

“Golf has always interested myself and I had played some par-three courses years ago with my husband,” said Lesley. “But I started at Royal Ascot as a complete novice with very little knowledge or skill of the game.

“Golf is a social sport, so joining alone with no experience might seem a bit daunting. But I was made very welcome and with Rob’s support the process of developing my skills on the course was very enjoyable.

“The social aspect is really important. I’ve found golf to be a great way to meet new, likeminded, people who I can play with in a relaxed environment that keeps me active and in the outdoors.”

Data from the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A) with England Golf, Golf Ireland, Scottish Golf and Wales Golf revealed golf participation across the UK rose to 5.6million in 2022. This figure represents the second highest number of players on record and is an increase of 1.9million people since 2019.

In addition, 20% of adult players were female last year compared to just 15% in 2019 while research by the R&A revealed the average golfer lives five years longer than non-golfers with a typical 18-hole course burning 2,000 calories.

Lesley added: “People value their mental and physical wellbeing differently now compared to before the outbreak of COVID-19.

“Golf gives me the perfect excuse to be outside, get moving and integrate with others in a world where it can be so easy to live in your own bubble. I couldn’t recommend Royal Ascot Golf Club’s Academy scheme and taking up golf generally enough.

“It’s been a great experience for me and can hopefully encourage others to engage with the sport.”

Royal Ascot Golf Club PGA Professional Rob Daw added: “Lesley’s story epitomises how golf can be enjoyed by people of all ages, experiences and even those without a prior touchpoint to the sport.

“Our Academy was established with the primary purpose of engaging new players and helping people develop their skills on the course. We’re pleased to see Lesley has followed this pathway and look forward to following her progress.”

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.

Academy membership includes 12 x 30 minute lessons, 6 x 1 hour group sessions, social membership, 10 x 9 hole green fee vouchers, one driving range token each day, discounted lessons and green fees, an introduction to the club’s buddy scheme and quarterly golf events.

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Royal Ascot Golf Club members were whisked into the professional limelight like never before during the 56th staging of the course’s annual Club Championships this month.

The Berkshire course invited 120 of its members to participate in the historic two-day competition which was first staged in 1967 with players competing to win the Derek Lane Trophy.

For the first time, the tournament featured a mix of live scoring, player PA announcements and major branding boards around selected tees to give a Professional Tour feel to the club’s premiere members event.

After the initial field was cut to 60 following a day’s play, Tom Webb won the men’s competition via a four-hole play-off with Gordon Barr while Gayle Kennedy was triumphant in the women’s event by a staggering 16 shots. Meanwhile the nett winners – after handicap - across the two days were Gordon Barr and Antoinette Marx.

Members, guests and visitors then celebrated players’ achievements in the clubhouse afterwards with an all-welcome barbecue with music as part of the club’s community ethos.

Stephen Nicholson, General Manager at Royal Ascot Golf Club, said: “The Club Championships is a real highlight among our growing membership base.

“It’s an opportunity for members to secure the bragging rights for the year while enjoying an event which has sat at the heart of our social calendar for more than 50 years.

“Conditions across the two days were challenging, but the course held up really well and remains in fantastic order before work begins this autumn to invest further in our drainage and bunker renovations plus the surrounding landscape.

“We were especially pleased to bring in additional elements to this year’s Championship such as PA announcements, live scoring and additional branding boards which really added to the atmosphere on both days.

“Events of this kind epitomise how we intend to drive our long-term vision to being an inclusive, friendly, social and welcoming club while being committed to the development and awareness of golf locally.

“Congratulations to Tom and Gayle for becoming the latest names to be engrained on our Club Championships honours board and we look forward to next year’s event in, hopefully, more seasonal weather!”

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

Further information about the course, membership and onsite provisions including its seven-day-a-week restaurant and function space is available via www.royalascotgolfclub.co.uk.

Royal Ascot Golf Club and Fairmont Windsor Park have partnered to offer guests a unique stay and play package in the Berkshire countryside.

The ‘Royal Golf Getaway experience’ gives guests the opportunity to enjoy a round of golf at the prestigious course while staying in the opulent surroundings of Fairmont Windsor Park.  

In addition to an overnight stay in one of the hotel’s luxuriously appointed bedrooms, the offer includes breakfast at the exquisite MOREISH restaurant and private transport to and from the historic course.  

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

Stephen Nicholson, Royal Ascot Golf Club General Manager, said: “This exciting new offering will enable visiting golfers to combine enjoying a beautiful course with experiencing a luxurious stay in our splendid county. It is a partnership based on shared values and a dedication to delivering exquisite, memorable experiences and forms part of our broader growth strategy.”

Ryan Nicholls, General Manager of Fairmont Windsor Park commented: “We are delighted to be partnering with the renowned Royal Ascot Golf Club, offering our guests the opportunity to play an exceptional course located only a short drive from our hotel.

“Fairmont Windsor Park is the perfect retreat for the discerning golfer.

“Our world class wellness, dining and leisure facilities provide everything a player needs to relax before and after their round.

“Our hotel’s commitment to showcasing the very best of the local area to our distinguished guests is highlighted by this exciting new partnership.”

Royal Ascot Golf Club’s new course was formally opened in May 2006 having moved from its original location on Ascot Heath in the middle of the racecourse a year earlier. It now hosts the Clutch Pro Tour, Pro-Am events and member competitions through the year. The club is home to a thriving and friendly social scene for members, guests and visitors alike. 

Fairmont Windsor Park is a stunning country retreat that blends iconic heritage with modern elegance.

Located on the edge of Windsor Great Park the hotel is surrounded by 40 acres of open green space and a tranquil lake. 

The Royal Golf Getaway experience offer is subject to course availability and guests are advised to book at least two weeks in advance.  

To book please visit here: Check Availability - Fairmont Hotels and Resorts

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Press release

9th June 2023

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh visit Royal Ascot Golf Club to open Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Wood

Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh attended Royal Ascot Golf Club in Berkshire on Thursday to cut the ribbon on the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Wood.

The Duke and Duchess unveiled a plaque and planted two oak trees to mark the occasion and were later joined by club members and volunteers in the clubhouse for afternoon tea.

Created in memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Memorial Woodland consists of 675 trees, one for every member of the club, and 450 further shrubs. The wood was designed and planted by members of the club and is nestled within the grounds of the 150-acre course as a living testament to Her Majesty’s remarkable reign.

The wood contains a wide variety of woodland trees and shrubs, as guided by the Woodland Trust, and will provide a sanctuary for wildlife and herbaceous plants to positively contribute to the local ecosystem.

The opening took place exactly 135 years after the course was granted Royal status by Queen Victoria whose children learnt to play golf at the course before The Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, became Patron of the club in 1901.

Tim Wescombe, Chairman of Royal Ascot Golf Club, said:

“It was our pleasure to welcome Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh to officially open our Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Wood.

“This newly planted wood will stand as a lasting testament to Her Majesty’s remarkable reign in a location which means a great deal to the Royal Family given their close connection with our neighbours Ascot Racecourse.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to Their Royal Highnesses for their attendance and celebrating this great occasion.”

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.

The club’s new course was formally opened in May 2006 having moved from its original location on Ascot Heath in the middle of the racecourse a year earlier. It now hosts the Clutch Pro Tour, Pro-Am events and member competitions through the year. The club is home to a thriving and friendly social scene for members, guests and visitors alike, reflecting its community ethos.

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For media enquiries and further information, please contact:

Shaun Reynolds, Senior Account Executive, Fortitude Communications via sr@fortitudecommunications.com / 07464 930146.