A GOLF retailer in Huddersfield has landed a £3.5m funding deal.

Direct Golf UK has secured the funding from Royal Bank of Scotland in a move to take the award-winning business to the next level – after last summer’s wet weather hit trade.

Chairman and PGA professional John Andrew set up Direct Golf UK in 1991 and 22 years on retains full ownership of the business.

In that time, he has taken the firm from one store in Huddersfield to 21 stores across the UK.

The Leeds Road-based company, which also has the golf driving range at the John Smith’s Stadium, employs more than 300 staff, including 50 PGA professionals and operates a 75,000sq ft warehouse.

Since 2010, Direct Golf UK has added nine new retail outlets, including seven Nevada Bob’s branded sites, taking its total to 21 stores.

During that time, it has posted consecutive year-on-year growth figures and increased turnover by more than 70%.

Commenting on the RBS deal, Mr Andrew said: “Our aggressive retail openings in the last few years were funded purely from our own cash flow.

“A poor summer in 2012 increased this pressure on our cash flow, which meant I had to personally inject over £500,000 into the business – although I am sure many small and medium-sized enterprises did the same.

“As a result, we sought funding to allow us some room to breathe and this funding package with RBS allows us to focus on the future of our business, to pay our suppliers and take our settlement discounts, which add up to a considerable amount over a period of 12 months.”

Despite the challenging economic backdrop, Direct Golf UK remained on course to post a fourth consecutive year with record revenues – up by 23% – for the first half of the 2011-2012 financial period.

However, the wettest summer for 100 years led to a 30% drop in the number of rounds of golf played during the key season – with a knock-on effect for sales of golf equipment.

Since then, the retailer has reported bumper online and in-store sales over Christmas – ensuring a positive start to 2013.

Said Mr Andrew: “The support in funding has given us the room to grow and develop our award-winning business to the next level.

“We’ve got some exciting plans for 2013 and the next phase in our growth.”

Craig Bebbington, relationship director for RBS Corporate and Institutional Banking, said: “Direct Golf has a 22-year history and is now one of the largest specialist golf retailers in UK and Europe, with a presence that continues to grow across the country.

“The firm is led by a dedicated and golf-enthusiastic management team, including many PGA professionals, with a thorough understanding of the market.

“We are delighted to be able to support the expansion of this sector-leading UK company and are confident that going forward our team will work hard to help the company continue to realise its ambitions”.