YOU remember Victor Kiam, the man who enjoyed using Remington Shavers so much he “bought the company”?

YOU remember Victor Kiam, the man who enjoyed using Remington Shavers so much he “bought the company”?

Well meet Colin Aldous, owner of Ufford Park Golf Club.

He enjoyed playing Ufford Park so much that he decided he too would “buy the company”.

It was a decision he hasn’t regretted.

“Yes, I must admit, after I played Ufford Park, I liked it so much, I thought I’d like to buy it,” he admits.

“I know a bit about land and I thought the land here was superb, so buy it I did.”

That was in 1992 and this year Colin and wife Shirley are celebrating 20 years as owners of the club during which time they have enjoyed the professionalism of PGA pro Stuart Robertson, another 20-year ever-present – and now Colin and Shirley’s son-in-law.

Colin, a former successful local builder has transformed Ufford Park into a fine complex offering more than just golf.

A 90-bedroom hotel, two-tier driving range, function room that can accommodate up to 300 people, health club and spa, an American Discount golf shop on site . . . phew!

Oh yes and an 18-hole rather decent test of golf to boot.

“We are certainly more than just a golf club,” admits Colin, who decided to slow down and change direction from building to golf after a heart attack in 1984.

Now employing 200 people at Ufford, Colin may have slowed down, but the responsibilities remain.

“We have a membership of about 1,500, 300 of them golfers, 1,200 health and spa members,” he adds.

“It’s scary at times and you need a magnitude of skills, but it’s worth it.”

Colin didn’t take up the game until he was 45, but plays off a steady 13 now, having got down to 11 at one stage.

“I have always thought Ufford is a course for the discerning golfer,” he adds.

“A true test of golf.”

Stuart married Colin’s daughter Tanya and his partnership with Colin has worked well, with Stuart thinking he knows why.

“Colin is very passionate, whereas I’m more considered,” he said.

“It’s the Yin and Yang effect I suppose, we work well together.”

Stuart runs all aspects of golf at Ufford and is currently introducing new membership schemes, including a bronze membership of �200 which is similar to a pay and play.

“We have a driving range membership too. It’s important we think of new ways of making golf easier for people to come and play.”

Yin and Yang the pair may be and because of it Ufford Park is in good hands offering a full package of golf and health spa breaks.

Twenty-year celebrations this year include an Open Day, literally to anyone who wants to have a game at Ufford, a Corporate Day, as well as a Spring BBQ for staff.

“I’ve never regretted buying Ufford Park and hope it will be a superb legacy for my grandchildren,” says Colin.

Here’s to the next 20 years at Ufford.