Northamptonshire Club Tees up Exciting Future

Months of back-breaking work for members at a Northamptonshire golf club is already paying dividends with the chance for a new generation of players to get into the sport.

Rushden Golf Club has opened an additional nine holes at its base near Wellingborough as well as a new practice ground, which will only help enhance its reputation as a Get into golf centre.

The club – which can be found in Kimbolton Road, Chelveston - has previously been awarded GolfMark, a national seal of approval for junior and beginner-friendly facilities which play an important role in the development of the game.

Now it hopes to use its expanded course and practice area as a platform to deliver more Get into golf sessions for the local community as well as disability golf coaching.

PGA professional Adrian Clifford regularly welcomes school groups to the course as well as running taster sessions and coaching courses throughout the year.

The club was established as a nine-hole layout in 1919, but members first mooted the idea of extending to 18 a decade ago. The chance to develop neighbouring farmland galvanised the project which has seen members pitching in by digging bunkers, clearing stones and planting bushes on the new holes over the past 12 months.

“It has been a real club effort,” says club secretary Ellie Williams. “Members first voted to extend to 18 holes ten years ago but it has taken time for everything to come together.

“The land used for the new holes proved ideal and they really fit in well to the character of the course. Members have been involved in the design of the additional holes as well as doing a lot of the ground work involved.”

The 6,519 yard par 71 course is already proving attractive to both new members and visiting players.

“We put on a membership offer to coincide with the opening of the new holes and that has resulted in around 30 players joining, while we have nine societies booked in for September which we would not have been able to accommodate in the past,” adds Ellie.

Says David Davis, county development officer for the Northamptonshire County Golf Partnership: “Rushden are to be congratulated on their continuing efforts to develop a first class facility which offers a pathway into the sport not only for established players but for those starting out in golf, too.”

For more information visit: www.rushdengolfclub.org