Second city’s magnificent seven pay and plays

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Kent-based Mytime Active became the largest UK operator of ‘pay and play’ golf courses this month, after winning the contract to manage all seven of Birmingham City Council’s public courses.

Mytime Active now operates 19 golf courses and also recently purchased Orpington Golf Centre in Kent, a 54-hole venue and one of the largest golfing facilities in England.

Chief Executive Steve Price said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the contract to manage Birmingham’s golf courses, which takes us into poll position as the country’s leading operator of ‘pay and play’ golf.

“In the current economic climate, many local authorities are finding it difficult to keep their golf courses open and well-managed, but we have the unique expertise to run them and as a social enterprise, we are able to reinvest back into the properties, so that local people can enjoy the benefits of affordable golf.”

Mytime Active secured the contract to modernise and manage Birmingham’s courses with a commitment to invest millions over the next few years to improve facilities, including building new club houses at Pype Hayes and Harborne, a new driving range at Hatchford Brook and refurbishing Boldmere’s club house.

Cabinet Member for Leisure, Sport and Culture at Birmingham City Council, Cllr Martin Mullaney, believes the 50-year deal has effectively saved ‘pay and play’ golf in the city.

He said: “Two years ago there was a very real fear that one or more of our courses might have to close, but now, with this ground breaking deal, we have not only safeguarded public golf for future generations, we have transformed a service that was running at a loss into one set for significant investment.”

“Mytime Active has a great track record of managing public golf services in partnership with local authorities and exciting plans to increase participation across the seven courses in Birmingham.”

Since Mytime Active was formed in 2004, it has reinvested over £16m into improvements within the services it operates, including new and improved club houses, driving ranges, changing facilities, pro-shops, and new grounds maintenance equipment to provide enhanced playing conditions.

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