The historic Exeter Golf and Country Club, a cornerstone of Devon's leisure scene, is undergoing a profound and multi-million-pound transformation that is reshaping its future. This extensive redevelopment, approved by the Exeter City Council, moves far beyond simple upgrades, promising a completely modernised facility that will solidify its status as a premier destination for golf, fitness, and relaxation in the South West. As of December 2025, the club is buzzing with activity, with construction well underway on several key phases of the masterplan.
The ambitious project is not just about new buildings; it includes a complete redesign of the famous James Braid-designed golf course and a significant overhaul of the sports and leisure amenities, ensuring the club remains a cutting-edge venue for its members and the wider Exeter community. Keep reading to discover the seven most significant changes you need to know about right now.
The Multi-Million-Pound Masterplan: A New Era for Exeter's Premier Club
The Exeter Golf and Country Club, located on Topsham Road, has unveiled a comprehensive, multi-phase masterplan to modernise its 120-acre Georgian Manor House estate. This major redevelopment is designed to upgrade and expand nearly every aspect of the club, from its sporting facilities to its social spaces, and is being executed in a series of planned steps, some of which are already complete or in progress.
1. The Historic Golf Course Gets a World-Class Redesign
One of the most significant changes is the complete redesign of the club’s golf course. The original layout, a classic design by the legendary James Braid, is being carefully updated to meet modern standards while respecting its heritage.
- The Architect: The redesign project is led by renowned golf course architect Tom MacKenzie of the prestigious MacKenzie Ebert firm.
- The Timeline: Following weeks of consultation, the club's board approved the project, with work planned to be carried out over a six-month period.
- Controversial Development: The course changes are partially linked to a controversial proposal for 54 new dwellings on the site of the Topsham Golf Academy driving range, which was enabled by the city council's approval of a replacement driving range.
2. Introduction of the State-of-the-Art Airdome for Indoor Tennis
To enhance its year-round tennis offerings, the masterplan includes the construction of a massive airdome. This structure will cover outdoor courts, providing a climate-controlled environment for indoor tennis regardless of the weather. This is a key objective of the modernisation scheme, ensuring members have access to premium facilities all year long.
3. A Brand New Members' Bar and Enhanced Social Spaces
The social heart of the club is also being completely reimagined. Construction began on a brand new Members' Bar in late 2024, marking the next phase of the development plan. The new lounge bar is a crucial part of the scheme, designed to provide a modern, comfortable, and stylish space for members to socialise and relax after a round of golf or a workout.
4. Modernised and Expanded Fitness Facilities
The gym and fitness areas are receiving a major overhaul, with plans for modernised gym equipment and larger facilities. This commitment to high-quality fitness has already been recognised, with the club being named a finalist in the Leisure & Tourism category at the Exeter Living Awards 2025. The expansion ensures the club can cater to a growing membership interested in comprehensive health and wellness.
Key Amenities and Events Solidifying Topical Authority
5. Preserving the Legacy of Racquet Sports
While the new airdome focuses on tennis, the club is also committed to its squash community. The redevelopment plan explicitly states the intention to maintain at least five squash courts, ensuring the club continues to be a hub for racquet sports in the region. This balance between new development and preserving core facilities is key to the club's strategy.
6. The Return of the Prestigious 2025 Pro-Am Tournament
Despite the ongoing construction and course work, the club remains a key fixture on the regional golf calendar. The highly anticipated 2025 Pro-Am at Exeter Golf and Country Club is scheduled for Friday, June 6th. The event typically draws over 200 golfers and is a major social occasion, featuring an evening barbecue and live music by artists like Sam Tanner.
7. The Enduring Appeal of Wear Park Spa and Dining
Beyond the sporting facilities, the club continues to offer luxurious amenities that appeal to a broader audience. Members and guests can still visit the renowned Wear Park Spa for treatments and relaxation. The on-site restaurant also remains a popular choice for fine dining, hospitality, and social gatherings, further cementing the club's reputation as a comprehensive leisure destination.
Exeter Golf and Country Club: A Hub for Leisure and Community
The vision for the Exeter Golf and Country Club is clear: to be the leading leisure and sports facility in the South West. The nine-phase leisure upgrade, which began with feasibility studies in 2022, is a multi-million-pound commitment to this goal. The creation of new sports facilities, alongside security upgrades, demonstrates a holistic approach to improving the member experience.
The club offers a diverse range of membership options, including specific memberships for swimming, gym access, squash, tennis, and golf. This flexibility ensures that the club remains accessible to a wide variety of people, from serious golfers and athletes to those simply seeking a high-quality fitness and social environment. Independent reviews on platforms like Golfshake continue to cover the quality of the facilities, service, hospitality, and food & drink, providing up-to-date feedback on the member experience.
The current redevelopment, while ambitious, is set to create 13 new jobs and significantly modernise the club's infrastructure. This investment in the future ensures that the Exeter Golf and Country Club will continue to be a vital part of the Exeter community for decades to come, offering a blend of historic charm and state-of-the-art amenities.
Entities and Keywords for Topical Authority:
- James Braid (Original Course Designer)
- Tom MacKenzie (Redesign Architect)
- MacKenzie Ebert (Architect Firm)
- Exeter City Council (Planning Authority)
- Topsham Road (Location)
- Wear Park Spa (On-site Spa)
- Exeter Living Awards 2025 (Award Finalist)
- Pro-Am 2025 (Major Event)
- Topsham Golf Academy (Development Site)
- Airdome (New Indoor Tennis Facility)
- Squash Courts (Maintained Facility)
- New Members' Bar (Social Upgrade)
- Georgian Manor House (Estate Type)
- Devon (County Location)
- Multi-million-pound redevelopment (Project Scale)
- Leisure & Tourism (Award Category)
- Golfshake (Review Platform)
- SDS (Feasibility Study Provider)
- Sam Tanner (Live Music Performer)
- Pynes Hill (Local Area Reference)
- Indoor Tennis (New Offering)
- Modernised Gym Equipment (Fitness Upgrade)
- Nine-phase leisure upgrade (Project Scope)
- Hospitality (Service Focus)
- Clubhouse Reconstruction (Part of Plan)
Detail Author:
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