Yorkshire plans to bid for the Ryder Cup
The Skelwith Group plans to make a bid to host the Ryder Cup golf tournament in Yorkshire for the first time since 1957.
The developer, which has the backing of Yorkshire Forward and The Yorkshire Tourist Board, plans to submit an official bid to the British and European PGA once its £100m Flaxby Country Club hotel is completed in early 2011. The company hopes to host the Europe v US tournament in either 2018 or 2022.
The buy-to-let 330-room hotel is situated on a 27-hole golf course, operated by Troon Golf, at the Flaxby Park Golf & Country Club near Leeds.The 283-acre estate, nestled in between Harrogate and York, includes an 18-hole golf course and a nine-hole training course with a 24-hour driving range, all designed by David Hemstock of Hemstock Associates.
Paul Ellis, managing director of The Skelwith Group, said: "If Terry Matthews can bring it to Wales, then I will do everything in my power to make this happen in Yorkshire. If we get the Ryder Cup it will provide a massive catalyst to further investment in the area and boost hundreds of local businesses as well."
The five-star hotel, designed by DLA Architecture, will feature three restaurants, two bars and four helipads, as well as an Elemis-operated spa, an indoor swimming pool and squash courts. There will also be a library, conference facilities and a children's nursery.
A spokesperson for Skelwith said: "Instead of purchasing an apartment or house and renting the property, investors can purchase a room within the hotel. In the case of the Flaxby, this is a guaranteed return of up to 12 per cent per annum."
Planning permission for the hotel was granted in 1995, on the condition of the golf course being completed. The developers are in talks with construction firms and expect to begin building the hotel next Spring.