CASE STUDIES
Dale Hill
"There are a number of reasons why we use Creaseys," says Barry. "Most important is their availability - Rob and the team are always easy to get hold of and they provide first class professional advice. If we need anything, it's just a case of paging the oracle and giving Rob a call".
Set in 350 acres in the heart of the Sussex Weald, in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Dale Hill Hotel and Golf Club has been a client of Creaseys for a number of years now. During that time, the course and hotel have not only developed, but the company itself has also changed ownership and Creaseys has been there every step of the way.
Dale Hill was bought by Leaderboard Group in 2001. Leaderboard – which has created a niche for itself at the top end of the market - also owns Sandford Springs Golf Club in Hampshire, the group’s first purchase, in 1998; Chart Hills Golf Club in Biddenden, Kent; and The Oxfordshire, in Thame, Oxfordshire. It also runs the Leaderboard Golf Centre, a driving range in Reading.
Creaseys was Dale Hill’s existing accountancy firm at the time of the purchase.
“We had a great relationship with Creaseys and wanted them to remain as our accountants after the sale,” says Barry Lewis, Corporate Secretary at Dale Hill. “In the event, Creaseys made a good impression on Leaderboard and now they are working with the group as a whole, which we are delighted about.”
Leaderboard is jointly-owned by Paul and Jennifer Gibbons. Enjoying life after selling Auto Trader, Mr Gibbons was playing a game of golf at Sandford Springs when the pro asked him if he’d like to buy the course. The rest, as they say, is history.
“Leaderboard is developing the group all the time. For example, The Oxfordshire now includes a hotel and we’ve seen a great deal of investment here at Dale Hill over the past ten years,” says Barry.
Since Leaderboard took over Dale Hill in 2001, the company has spent more than £1 million in refurbishing the interior of the club house and hotel. The building has also benefited from an extension and a variety of upgrades have been made to the golf course itself.
“Golf is Mr Gibbons’ passion and that is evident here at Dale Hill, as well as at the other Leaderboard courses,” says Barry.
Creaseys audits the Leaderboard accounts and provides the group with a range of advice on, for instance, tax planning, VAT, and due diligence. Creaseys’ partner Rob Blundell is the company’s main point of contact.
“There are a number of reasons why we use Creaseys,” says Barry. “Most importantly, is their availability – Rob and the team are always easy to get hold of and they provide first class professional advice. If we need anything, it’s just a case of ‘paging the oracle’ – giving Rob a call.”
He continues: “Of course, there’s a whole team who we deal with and they are all extremely approachable. There are a number of individuals within the team who are expert in their field – such as Richard Holme on tax planning and Sharon Crush on VAT. Their knowledge is second to none.”
Rob Blundell has built up a long and close working relationship with Dale Hill and has taken time to understand the business. He does also enjoy a round of golf.
“It is really important that Rob comes and plays a round here every now and again – as it’s a way of him seeing how we have developed as a business,” says Barry. “It’s also important to realise that Leaderboard is quite a complex set of businesses. We are not just golf courses, the group encompasses hotels, restaurants and conference facilities as well.”
He continues: “Also, Leaderboard is currently undergoing a corporate restructure, which Creaseys is advising us on. We are very proactive as a company and are moving forward all the time, so simply keeping track of what we’re up to is a job of work for Creaseys.”
Rob has worked with Dale Hill for a number of years now, initially dealing with the company’s audit.
“One of the things I really like is the continuity at Creaseys,” says Barry. “When the team comes in to do the audit, there are always familiar faces and that’s great, I don’t have to spend time telling new people about the business and how we operate.”
There has been a golf course at Dale Hill for 30 years now and today the club boasts 800 members and two 18-hole golf courses – The 6512 yard, par-71 Ian Woosnam-designed course and 5856 yard, par-69 Dale Hill Old Course.
In addition to the club house, Dale Hill also offers a professional shop, an AA 4-star 35-bed hotel, a conference centre, function rooms, an indoor heated swimming pool and a gym. Dale Hill can also host weddings and other celebrations – with space for 120 guests for seated meals and up to 200 for evening receptions.
Dale Hill also offers a choice of restaurants and bars. Its award-winning Wealden View Restaurant has been the proud recipient of an AA Rosette every year since 2000, while the venue’s Eighteenth Restaurant is a popular choice with golfers. The Lounge is a great place to enjoy a traditional Sussex afternoon tea while guests can catch up on the latest sports scores or play some pool at the Club House Bar.
Dale Hill has a good trade in golf breaks, many of which it hosts in conjunction with Chart Hills Golf Club – which boasts a championship course designed by Nick Faldo. Guests come not only from within the UK, but from countries such as Iceland and Belgium.
Leaderboard has continued to grow throughout the economic downturn, with membership numbers maintained at Dale Hill.
“We are incredibly lucky to have the support of Paul and Jennifer Gibbons,” says Barry. “Unlike many companies, we have no borrowings or debt – which makes for a positive relationship with our bank.”
The four courses work closely together, hosting charity events for example, and an annual ‘100 hole challenge’ in which players play all four Leaderboard’s golf courses in one day. The four courses also boast some well-known presidents – such as the veteran sports reporter, Dickie Davies, at Sandford Springs and the former Welsh rugby player John Taylor at Dale Hill.
Barry likes the fact that Creaseys is local – although, of course, it now deals with all of the Leaderboard properties.
“Creaseys is extremely well respected locally and we do try, wherever we can, to work with local suppliers,” says Barry. “That said, Creaseys works with all of our Leaderboard properties and the team has proved itself very adaptable in dealing with each of our sites – as we’re all quite different.”
http://www.leaderboardgolf.co.uk/courses/dale-hill.html
Creaseys