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Golf.com -  50 best 9 hole courses 2020

6. Reigate Heath GC, Surrey, England (Tom Dunn/1895)
Expert’s take: Reigate Heath would be one of Bernard Darwin’s little known “stars of sand and heather.” Of course there is pine, birch, oak and wild bilbery here too. A venerable club formed in the late 19th century, this club feels a bit Dutch given the signature windmill adjacent to the clubhouse. The routing circularly takes you around a surprisingly rolling property which tests the short irons as well as a few longer clubs. Reigate is a period piece of what golf was at the turn of the century.

Peter Alliss’s ‘hidden gem’ embarks on the next exciting chapter in its 125 year long history.

In a bold and innovative move for an established private members’ golf club, Reigate Heath has reached an agreement with TV chef Tony Tobin to provide all of the club’s catering.

Tony Tobin commented: “I am very excited about this unique opportunity. The clubhouse’s location on a hill in the middle of a heath provides absolutely stunning views, and in many ways it’s the perfect situation for a restaurant, especially in the lighter months and longer evenings. With new food and drinks offerings coming into the market, I’m already coming up with all sorts of ideas for special events and evenings at the club.”

He continued: “The deal is a win win for both the club and myself in all sorts of ways, and now that the word’s getting around, many of my old customers have been getting in touch and are looking forward to coming and trying out the exciting new menus I’m planning.”

Based at the club full time and using the existing kitchen facilities, the immediate benefits of Tony Tobin’s team to the membership and visitors are an increased availability of top quality chef prepared club food and regularly changing seasonal menus using locally sourced ingredients.

Keen to ensure the bar menu proves a hit, Tony Tobin and his team are getting the members’ opinions on the kind of items they want to see included. Judging by the initial reactions, his move to Reigate Heath Golf Club is already proving massively successful in terms of the numbers and club atmosphere as well as the very positive feedback.

What makes this particular initiative bold and innovative is that in a few months’ time Tobin will launch a new restaurant in the club’s dining room on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. This new venture will also be open on Sunday lunchtimes to both members and non-members, while the last Sunday in each month will remain exclusive to the members.

In addition, as one of the UK’s foremost chefs Tony Tobin will also be offering cookery demonstrations, tasting menus and themed evenings at the club to food lovers in the Reigate area.

The result of several months of discussions and planning, the club’s outgoing chairman of house David Hesketh was similarly delighted to strike this deal, commenting: “We are first and foremost a member’s club and Tony Tobin completely supports and encourages that position. Although golf’s undoubtedly going through tough times, this exciting initiative has the potential to transform the financial outlook of Reigate Heath Golf Club, while enhancing the membership’s experience with excellent food throughout the day from breakfast through lunch to tea.”

Hesketh added: “What I’m especially pleased about is that with the new restaurant venture we will be using the time when the clubhouse is not normally open to generate additional revenue. And when they experience our unique and stunning venue, I think the club will also attract new members - both social and golfing - as well.”

In the latest (April) issue of one of the UK's leading golf magazines, Reigate Heath's nine hole gem comes not only highly recommended, but is described in terms even more glowing:

'This outstanding heathland layout is arguably one of the UK’s finest nine-hole venues. It has been described as a miniature version of nearby 2018 British Masters host Walton Heath, while Peter Alliss simply calls it “a little gem”.'

The magazine's reviewer summarises by saying: 'It’s a joy to play year-round and boasts a cracking set of greens. Great value, too, in this part of the world.'

Would we add anything else? Yes, we've just increased the fun factor: not only is Reigate Heath Golf Club a 'must play', it's now a 'must eat' as well! Thanks to TV chef Tony Tobin who's now taken over the club's catering, you can enjoy a superb breakfast, lunch or tea, any day of the week.

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Chosen as one of the first two golf clubs in the UK to host an innovative new campaign designed to get more females swinging a golf club, Reigate Heath Golf Club’s first session has attracted 11 ladies and 10 have signed up for more classes - despite the November weather!

‘We Love Golf’ is run in conjunction with the Professional Golfers’ Association (The PGA) and promises to show local women the fun side of the game, giving them a new way to exercise and make friends this winter.

Starting with a free taster session at Reigate Heath that was held on Saturday November 24th, ‘We Love Golf’ challenges the ideas people have about the game. Clifford Gough, PGA Head Professional at Reigate Heath, explains: “People think golf can be stuffy and that you need expensive equipment to get started, but that’s just not the case.”

“We’re asking anyone to come as they are and get ready to have some fun. Golf is a fantastic way to make new friends and get outside in the open air, as well as learning something new. The taster session is free so there’s really nothing to lose. Just grab a friend or come and make some new ones.”

Any women taking part in the free taster session are offered the chance to progress on to the ‘We Love Golf’ beginners’ coaching programme being run by the club, and 10 of the 11 signed up accordingly. Research carried out by The PGA shows that new friendships, the community and the social side of the game, are some of the reasons women love taking part and keep coming back.

Gough continued: “Beginners’ group sessions are a great way to have fun with friends, learn at your own pace and to meet new people. Once you get a taste for seeing the ball sail into the distance, and enjoy watching your friends do the same, the golf club quickly becomes more than just a place to play - it’s a community.”

He adds: “I was delighted to greet the new faces that came along on Saturday, and we all had a quick drink afterwards to celebrate!”

The ‘We Love Golf’ campaign has been a great success for The PGA in its first year. It started as a campaign designed to change the way people, particularly women, think about golf and demystify some ‘facts’ around the game. This next phase is to take the principles learned in the first year out on to the course with forward thinking partners like Reigate Heath Golf Club.

Anyone wanting to give golf a try should call Cliff Gough on 01737 242 610.

For more information about the We Love Golf campaign click here.

Fine Golf has awarded Reigate Heath Golf Club their 'Joy to be alive' star rating.

For the full review, please click here.