BROCKET HALL RELAUNCHES AS ‘THE MELBOURNE CLUB’

Another chapter in the history of the Brocket Hall Estate in Hertfordshire has begun following the rebranding of its golf club after a change of ownership.

Brocket Hall Golf Club went into administration in 2015, and was acquired a year later by Chinese billionaire Joe Zhou Feng for about £10 million.

The club is reported to have lost over £3 million since taking on the 36-hole venue, but Mr Zhou Feng is confident that under its new name – The Melbourne Club – and new management team, he can revive its fortunes with ‘a new, exclusive members’ golf club offering the ultimate golfing experience.’

Brocket Hall’s owner Joe Zhou Feng

The estate, which was the ancestral seat of Lord Brocket, who was jailed for insurance fraud in the 1990s, boasts a Grade I-listed classical country house set in a large park, two championship golf courses – The Melbourne and The Palmerston – and also includes a golf academy, a par-three course and a clubhouse. Other facilities include a swing studio, steam room, sauna, bar, brasserie, snug, terrace, event spaces for business meetings and private events, and a restaurant.

Speaking at the official relaunch of the club, Mr Zhou Feng said: “I am passionate about Brocket Hall’s heritage, and as its new custodian, I am committed to its bright future. This relies upon a thriving golf club, and to this end, the management team has already affected improvements to the golf facilities and introduced a full calendar of competitions and social events. It is my hope to one day establish the Melbourne Club as one of the best clubs in England.”

The opening of the new club was marked with the staging of the inaugural Melbourne Club Trophy, which saw over 100 new members play a competition over both courses. The men’s and ladies trophies, which were specially commissioned by Brocket Hall’s managing director Michael Longshaw, were two steering wheels from Ferraris formerly owned by the current Lord Brocket.

The membership experience will differentiate itself from most other clubs in that it will include access to outdoor pursuits, art exhibitions, culinary experiences and musical events in both the clubhouse and stately home itself. Packages for visiting golfers to play either course currently start from £150, with overnight accommodation available in the Melbourne Lodge at an extra cost.

Michael Longshaw is back at Brocket Hall after a 10-year absence

The man responsible for the changing fortunes at the club is experienced golf and resort operator Michael Longshaw Longshaw worked at Brocket Hall from 1996 to 2007, in which time he oversaw the opening of the Palmerston course, the Auberge du Lac restaurant, and the Faldo Institute, as well as hosting the Laura Davies Invitational.

Longshaw said: “The opening of the Melbourne Club signifies a new era in the evolution of Brocket Hall. Our highly-acclaimed golf courses and state-of-the-art practice facilities are now coupled with a raft of lifestyle experiences that add up to a much more exclusive members club. With the owner totally committed to the long-term future of the golf club, and with solid management securely in place, we are now striving to further improve the quality of our courses for the benefit of our members and to enable us to stage world class events here. We are also offering our membership a variety of social and cultural events, hitherto not available, while working with well-known companies to add increased lifestyle benefits to our members and their partners. We have a great deal to announce over the next few months. The future looks promising.”

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