Golfbreaks.com
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| Golf Breaks Ltd | |
|---|---|
| Type | Travel agency in the UK |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Headquarters | Windsor, Berkshire |
| Key people | Andrew Stanley (Director), Steve Hemsworth (Director), Daniel Grave (Director), Guy Proddow (Director) |
| Industry | golf travel |
| Products | golf breaks and holidays in the UK, France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, and Italy |
| Employees | 60+ |
| Website | http://www.golfbreaks.com |
Golf Breaks Ltd is the trading name of Golfbreaks.com and Teeofftimes.co.uk. It specialises in golf package holidays in the UK, Ireland, France, Belgium, Spain, Portugal and Italy.
It is an independent and privately owned UK tour operator.
Contents |
[edit] History
Managing Director Andrew Stanley started the company in 1998[1]; he began by organising Ryder Cup style challenge golf breaks for groups. As part of the Internet boom the Golfbreaks.com web site was launched in 1999. By 2000 nearly 10,000 golfers had booked breaks within the UK and Ireland. The company continued to grow to start selling golf holidays to France and in 2003 over 60,000 golfers travelled with the company. The company continued to grow to employ around 40 employees and in 2004 moved from Chiswick to Windsor, Berkshire to accommodate more staff. Since the move the company has expanded rapidly, employing 60 people, sending 110,000 golfers on holiday in 2006 [2] and now also selling breaks to Spain, Portugal, Belgium and Italy [3][4]
2007 saw the launch of a new venture for Golf Breaks Ltd, Teeofftimes.co.uk which is a online tee times booking service for golf courses within the UK.[5]
[edit] Changes in Golfers over the years
Golf is becoming extremely popular amongst women and many want to take it up as a new sport. Golf Breaks Ltd reported the number of female customers increased from only 0.5% of customers in 2002 to 20% in 2005. This could be due to professional female golfers such as Michelle Wie, and celebrities like Catherine Zeta-Jones and Jodie Kidd playing. It is also a great way to keep fit and a good excuse to get out in the fresh air, with a ten-stone women burning on average 1,500 calories playing a round of golf - [6]
[edit] Partners
- Volvo Masters Amateur Tournament [7]
- Golf Assistant
- Macmillan Cancer Research Longest Golf Day[8]
- Golf International
- Golf Links
- Direct Golf
- UK Golf Guide
[edit] Awards
- The Thames Valley Business Magazine awards 2005
· Outstanding growth and innovation in the Thames Valley Business Sector · Outstanding business achievement, innovation and contribution in the Thames Valley Business Sector
- National Business Awards 2005 – The Growth Strategy of the Year
- Royal Bank of Scotland Community and Business Excellence Awards 2005 [9]
· Small Business of the Year Finalist 2005 · Company of the Year Award Finalist 2006
- Investor in People 2006 [10]
- ABTA Awards
- IAGTO
[edit] Top 10 Golf break venues in England and Wales in 2006
- 1. The Belfry
- 2. Selsdon Park
- 3. Wokefield Park
- 4. Marriott Forest of Arden Hotel, Golf and Country Club
- 5. De Vere Belton Woods
- 6. Hilton Puckrup Hall
- 7. Manor of Groves Hotel and Golf Club, Hertfordshire
- 8. De Vere Slaley Hall
- 9. Marriott St Pierre Hotel and Country Club
- 10. Donnington Valley Hotel and Golf Club
The respective number one venues in Scotland and Ireland are Westin Turnberry Resort in Ayr and The K Club just outside Dublin. Both of which are top golf courses located within easy reach of Glasgow and Dublin airport. [11]
[edit] References
- ^ 'Golfbreaks.com - a unique one-stop service' Golf Holiday Choices, Autumn 2005
- ^ 'Sales up 10% for Golfbreaks.com', Golf Business News, November, 2006.
- ^ 'Golfbreaks launch breaks to Belgium',Golf News, July, 2007
- ^ Regional Golf, July, 21, 2005.
- ^ 'Golfbreaks.com launch online tee time service',Golf Business News, April, 5, 2007.
- ^ 'Healthy Weight Forum', www.healthyweightforum.org, August 13, 2007.
- ^ 'The Observer Reader Offer', The Observer, April 22, 2007
- ^ 'Play the Longest Day Golf Challenge', Golf World, May, 2007, p190.
- ^ 'Golfbreaks.com Accolade', Business Vocie Magazine, November/ December, 2005, p10.
- ^ 'Firms status' South Bucks, Burnahm & Iver Observer, May 12, 2006, p 26.
- ^ 'The De Vere Belfry the most popular golf destination in the UK & Ireland', November 17, 2006
