A lender has become the funding partner of a rock star's new golf development, which sees 2011 Open Champion Darren Clarke.
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div>A lender has become the funding partner of a rock star’s new golf development, which sees 2011 Open Champion Darren Clarke become its global ambassador.
Development lender Regentsmead Limited has funded a seven-figure sum for the construction of seven high quality lodges on The Astbury golf course, which is owned by rock star KK Downing. It represents the first phase of a major development plan.
Professional golfer Darren Clarke has become the club’s global ambassador and attached professional at The Astbury – home of the first golf course designed by KK Downing, founding member and lead guitarist of British heavy metal band Judas Priest.
To date, Judas Priest has sold in excess of 40 million records worldwide. Downing has been ranked 23rd on rock magazine Hit Parader’s list of 100 greatest metal guitarists.
The Astbury: (From L-R) Ken Downing, former Judas Priest guitarist; James Bloom, CE of Regentsmead; Darren Clarke, professional golfer.
Clarke, the 2011 Open champion, has agreed a three-year deal at the unique and modern non-members’ facility, which is located in the heart of the Severn Valley, Shropshire.
The Ryder Cup star hailed the golf course, near Bridgnorth, as ‘amazing’ and said that it was a fantastic opportunity to be involved in the transformation of The Astbury into one of the greatest inland courses and the other development aspirations.
Ken alluded that the PGA has already said if they provide some accommodation – and there’s permission for a hotel – the PGA will sanction any tournament that the club can find the funds for.
There is planning for a further 30+ units on the site of various sizes and the eventual plan is to have a Darren Clarke Village of over 200 very high class units.
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Ken said at a press conference: “We would like to thank our development partner Regentsmead for their help and support with the development of the Astbury Retreats and we look forward to working with them for many years to come.”
We’ve got an awful lot of things in the pipeline. For example, we’ve got a fantastic spa facility, that’s being worked on at the moment, that’s going to quite possibly be the biggest and best, and most futuristic in the country.
“We also have fantastic real estate possibilities, for holiday homes, for people that really have a passion for golf and the countryside and everything that goes with it.
(LEFT) Ken Downing and Darren Clarke speaking at The Astbury press conference“
It would be fantastic if we create a Darren Clarke village, a fantastic opportunity to help people visit The
Astbury in the coming years. The aspirations are for The Astbury to become a destination not just nationally but internationally as well, so it’s all about Watch this Space.
“I also want to say a big thank you to Regentsmead, our funders that are helping us to make this all possible, and so they’re going to be along with us on this very exciting journey for some time and years to come.”
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Darren added: “A while ago Chubby, my manager, met with Ken and have been discussing this for quite some time. Chubby’s been my manager for 20-odd years, looking after me, and he’s managed to do some wonderful sponsorship deals for me but none more so than this one, because we’ve been talking about it for quite some time and it’s great to see it come to fruition.
“It is a venue, with Ken’s eye for detail, which is only going to get better and better. The course is relatively new in golfing terms – three years old – but I was very very impressed with it. It’s in great condition for this time of the year.
“I’m very thankful, grateful and happy to be representing The Astbury wherever I travel to around the world. I will endeavour to do my best for both yourself Ken and the club and try and get The Astbury sign on more winners’ podiums around the world.”
Andrew “Chubby” Chandler, is a retired European Tour golfer and is currently the Managing Director of sports management firm ISM (International Sports Management). Other sports clients include: Lee Westwood, Michael Vaughan, Stuart Broad, Muttiah Muralitharan, and Nicklas Bendtner.
James Bloom added: “We are very excited to be part of this unique development and to work with such high profile legends as KK Downing and Darren Clarke is an added bonus to what is going to be a landmark destination once the development of the lodges and the hotel/spa has been completed.
“There is already a PGA standard 18 hole golf course in situ which was personally designed by KK who has played at most of the best golf courses in the world while touring with Judas Priest. Darren told us personally that the course is of superb quality and he is delighted to be the ambassador for The Astbury which will include wearing The Astbury logo while playing in major tournaments.
“We are looking forward to being involved in the continued development of The Astbury for many years to come and we are grateful to have been given the opportunity to be the primary funder.”
The Astbury has become one of Darren Clarke’s main sponsors and he will wear the club’s logo on his left sleeve and golf bag, and will also attend selected events at the venue.
The 6,500 yard, par 71, golf course complies with USGA standards and features the latest creeping bent grass greens. The venue, which opened in 2010, is now a permanent fixture on the EuroPro Tour.
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