About Ombersley Golf Club

The key to our success

One reason for the success of Ombersley Golf Club is that it is owned and operated by the family business that built it.

The Directors are family members who are closely involved with managing the daily affairs of the golf course. As such we offer a unique and personal service and take a long term view in relation to improving our service to you and in aiming for high customer satisfaction. We have also been able to quickly adapt to the way that changing lifestyles have altered the needs and expectations of customers.

We are also very fortunate to be supported by loyal key staff. Many have been involved with the golf course since its inception and reflect our commitment and enthusiasm to making your visits to Ombersley golf Club both enjoyable and rewarding.

Our History

The family business (John Dowty Ltd) was first established by John Dowty back in 1921 when he began farming in Ombersley.

The business expanded and developed throughout the years with the involvement of three of John Dowty’s sons, namely Neville, Bob and Arthur who each developed specialist areas of the business.

By the 1980’s John Dowty Ltd was operating farms at Lineholt, running a wholesale fruit and vegetable business and a farm shop (one of the first in the country) as well as a business supplying packaging products throughout the UK and as far a field as the Falkland islands.

However, by the late 1980’s it became increasingly apparent that the fortunes of all agriculture businesses were beginning a long and painful decline.

The next generation of family members were now more deeply involved in the business and it was apparent that for the Company to have a viable future it needed to progress yet again.

At this time there was a great deal written in the press about the need for increased access to the countryside for a variety of leisure pursuits – including golf! Market research proved that there was a need for additional pay and play golf in Worcestershire, including the Ombersley area.

Construction of the first green begins at Ombersley Golf Club in 1990
Some of the land which the family farmed was ideal for the purpose, not only because it is close to good road networks but additionally it is in beautiful countryside and very free draining thus allowing winter play.

Planning permission was sought and a course was designed giving two 9 hole loops which both start and finish at the clubhouse.

The course was built in 1990 and it took until September 1991 for everything to mature enough for play to commence. In 1992 the original clubhouse was built and this was substantially improved in 2000, giving us everything on site that today’s golfer is seeking from a good quality golf facility.

John Dowty Ltd owns and operates all aspects of the facilities which include the bar and restaurants, the golf pro shop and the golf course. The family business still operates the packaging business and has various types of industrial units and land which are rented out to a variety of tenants.

The three Directors are Robert Dowty, Nigel Dowty (Company Secretary) and Laureen Moyse.