Page 47 - Cottesmore Hotel, Golf and Country Club

GOLF BECAME A HIT
A risky investment
The success of Tony Jacklin in the 1969 Open popularised the game of golf to the nation. Michael had the vision to see the demand and took a big risk in investing his savings in the venture, especially as all his golfing pals said it would never work.
The adventure continued, another course was built in 1980.
Then 15 hotel rooms were built in 1983. When Michael finally retired in 1988, Matthew was concerned by the Royal & Ancient’s report for the demand for 700 golf courses in the UK, so diversification was a priority. After intensive research in the USA, Matthew took on a major development of the club house into a country club complex with indoor pool, health club and function rooms. This opened in 1992. Nine hotel rooms were added in 2002 and seven, two bedroom holiday lodges were built in 2007.
FROM THEN TO NOW
Much has changed
Matthew’s son-in-law and daughter, Johnny and Louisa Porter took on the business in July 2013.
A devastating fire hit Cottesmore in the afternoon of June 11, 2018. 10 fire trucks tackled the fire which destroyed almost two-thirds of the original building.
Matthew says:
“Of course the experience of the fire was devastating, but the trauma was soon abated by the way the next generation of my family, Louisa and Johnny, threw themselves into the whole operation of restoring Cottesmore. All the layers of worry and depression gradually peeled away as we saw the vibrant energy, dedication and passion that they have brought to the project. There has been no better tonic for such a disastrous event in our lives and I’m sure my father Michael would have been so proud of what is being achieved.” Matthew Rogerson
Buchan Hill, Pease Pottage, Crawley, West Sussex RH11 9AT 47 T: 01293 528256 E: accommodation@cottesmoregolf.co.uk