Winner of last year s Retailer of the Year Award, Hemingford Abbots Golf Complex, scooped three awards in total. Managing director Peter Durham talks shop with Lisa Hanlon. PETER Durham and Teresa Neeson of Hemingford Abbots Golf Complex are no strangers

Winner of last year's Retailer of the Year Award, Hemingford Abbots Golf Complex, scooped three awards in total. Managing director Peter Durham talks shop with Lisa Hanlon.

PETER Durham and Teresa Neeson of Hemingford Abbots Golf Complex are no strangers to The Hunts Post Huntingdonshire Business Awards.

Last week the company featured on these pages as winners of Small Business of the Year and this week return as Retailer of the Year. And there is more to come - the golf specialists, previously called TP Golf Management, was also named Business of the Year.

Hemingford Abbots Golf Complex includes a Direct Golf Superstore at the premises and the shop is a vital part of this company's successful business mix.

"When we started to develop the retail side we chose to focus on the major brands within the golf industry at the lowest UK prices, with a full custom fit service on all club purchases," said Mr Durham, pictured above, third from right. "Being part of Direct Golf UK gives us access to the very best prices, which allows us to pass on these benefits to the consumer. We have an incredible range of equipment in our new store with over 160 sets of irons in stock, hundreds of woods and a superb clothing range. More importantly, we make a point of taking time to help our customers make the right decisions within their budgets we take their game as seriously as they do."

Every customer who is buying golf clubs is measured for shaft flex, loft, lie, length and grip size.

This, says Mr Durham, can pay massive dividends on the golf course: "This attention to detail can have a huge impact on your scores."

There are even more developments planned this year at the golf centre with the opening of eight outdoor turf bays next month and a new restaurant, short game area and high-tech academy being started in July, due to be completed in November.

Mr Durham is in no doubt that entering these awards has been worthwhile - the company has three awards to prove it. They have added enormous value to the business and one of the most important aspects has been the strong sense of achievement and pride the staff feel which, in turn, is passed on to their customers.

Customer satisfaction has been expressed to the couple in emails and letters. "And people just keep coming back and recommending the complex to their friends and colleagues.

"Word-of-mouth has really helped to grow the business," says Mr Durham. "I think it is definitely worthwhile for companies to enter these awards. And the entry process is not a lot of work. There are not hundreds of forms to fill and there is support along the way to help you decide which categories to enter."

INFORMATION: The Hemingford Abbots Golf Complex is on Cambridge Road, Huntingdon, junction 25, off the A14.

The golf range and superstore are located just behind the golf course. For more details telephone 01480 492939, e-mail enquiries@tpgolfcentre.co.uk or log onto www.direct-golf.co.uk