Tyneside golf tour operator prepares to go into administration

Oct 28 2009 By Chris Knox, The Journal

THOUSANDS of golfers face missing out on their holidays as a Tyneside tour operator prepares to go into administration.

Gateshead-based Inta Group, which arranges golfing trips around the world for 28,000 clients annually, has ceased trading, ruining the holiday plans of thousands and placing the future of its 20-strong North East workforce in doubt.

The firm, which was set up 20 years by Hexham golfing enthusiast Bill Goff, is now calculating the value of its assets and expects to bring in administrators within days.

The news shocked the business community after the firm’s rapid expansion – including merging with Scottish operator 3D Golf to create a £25m turnover firm – had made it one of the fastest-growing in the sector.

Industry sources said that it had tried to grow too quickly in the overseas travel market, which has become a major victim of the recession.

The firm has yet to provide any details about its plans and its website said only that it regretted to say that it had ceased trading and told holidaymakers how they could claim their money back.

It is advising those wishing to continue with their bookings to contact an alternative operator, while those seeking to reclaim money on flights will need to contact the Civil Aviation Authority on (0207) 453-6350.

Those people with bookings that do not include flights were advised to contact travel association ABTA on (01202) 596699. Inta chairman Paul Challen said: "It’s true that we have had to cease trading and are now re-evaluating our assets before we begin work with an administrator later this week.

"We are in the process of putting a more detailed statement together."

The firm also operated the Bill Goff Golf Tours, Jack High Bowling Holidays and Sunshine Challenge brands, and in recent years had developed 4golf.com, a no-frills internet venture and teetimesanywhere.com, an online golf course booking system.

Peter Walton, chief executive of the International Association of Golf Tour Operators, said: "We were notified that Inta had ceased trading and have been liaising with third-party operators who have been called by concerned holidaymakers.

"We have been told that it is now deciding which administrator to work with and will be releasing more information at that point.

"Although we are not saying that the recession has been the sole reason for the failure of the business, a drop in overseas travel of over 10% draws its own conclusions."

Mr Challen built Inta into one of the biggest golf tour operators in the country after buying Bill Goff Golf Tours from its founder, the former fruit and vegetable merchant and hotelier Bill Goff 15 years ago. Back then it took just 200 golfers abroad a year.