Northumberland Estates has announced plans to invest more than £500,000 into Alnwick Golf Club to ring in a raft of changes.
The golf club is set to benefit from new facilities including a new clubhouse, changing facilities and green keepers shed as well as course improvements, through a joint project between the golf club and owners Northumberland Estates.
A building programme, due to begin this autumn, will see the construction of a new dual function club house on a different site, as well as a new green keeper’s store at the 18-hole parkland golf course, set on the outskirts of the town.
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The golf club committee is also planning additional improvements, including the possible redesign of two holes and improvements to the greens.
The scheme aims to provide a larger lounge and bar area which can be used by the club for outside functions and events as well as by members. Other facilities will include a new reception area, changing rooms, shop and office space.
The building contract, which will see Northumberland Estates invest over £500,000 in the project, has been awarded to Amble-based D P Builders. Work is due to begin in November and will complete next spring.
A second phase is also being planned, which will hopefully lead to the addition of lodges for overnight stays for golfers and visitors.
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Andrew Robson, agent at Northumberland Estates, said: “Alnwick Castle Golf Club have worked very hard over recent years to increase membership.
“We very much hope these new facilities will not only assist in attracting new members but will also provide the means to create new income streams through hiring out the improved hospitality areas for social events and functions, bringing more people to the Club. “
Rod Henderson, director at Alnwick Castle Golf Club, said: “The Club’s board, committee and members are very excited at the prospect of these improvements. It was only Christmas time when the plans were first discussed and already site preparation work is beginning.
“The new club house will be a great asset in attracting outside functions as well as more visiting golfers, and will no doubt be much enjoyed by members too. Here at the club, we employ a number of local staff and use local suppliers where possible, and we hope the additional business will benefit the local community.
“In recent years we have increased membership numbers to 330 by introducing a range of membership options and we now have members coming to play from all over the North East as well as those local to Alnwick.
“Future plans include a juniors membership drive, and we are already in discussions with the Duchess High School to take this forward. The new clubhouse will undoubtedly play a role in helping continue this progress.”