Months after Storm Goretti caused devastation across Cornwall, a hotel on the Helford River is this week celebrating the reopening of its historic golf course after the storm caused “some of the worst damage” seen on the estate in decades.
The award‑winning Budock Vean Hotel and Spa was among the many businesses affected by the January 8 storm. While the hotel buildings escaped unscathed, its much‑loved nine‑hole, 18‑tee course - set within 65 acres of sub‑tropical gardens - was left heavily scarred, with as many as 60 trees lost, including several century‑old Monterey Pines.
Since then, Budock Vean’s grounds team and specialist contractors have worked intensively to clear fallen timber, remove stumps and carry out essential groundworks to make the course playable once again.
The course officially opened on Monday, April 6.
General manager Darryl Reburn said the recovery effort quickly became a community endeavour.
“We were truly gratified when, following a shout‑out to our members, a number of them turned out on a beautifully sunny morning to help recover the remaining brushwood and more,” he said.
“Their support was invaluable and a wonderful demonstration of the Budock Vean community coming together.”
Thanks to that combined commitment and expertise, the course is now in excellent condition, with lush fairways, clear sight lines and well‑maintained greens - and is reopening far sooner than many anticipated, much to the delight of members and the wider community.
Budock Vean’s management has extended sincere thanks to everyone involved in the recovery effort, as well as to members and guests for their patience throughout the closure.
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Looking ahead, the hotel is committed to further enhancing the landscape, with significant investment planned in replanting and environmental restoration.
The team is currently exploring opportunities to replant new trees to enhance the course’s landscape, although high demand following Storm Goretti is making sourcing saplings a challenge.
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