Golf Club owners invest in £250,000 driving range

Published:

A Midland golf club is gearing up for a big hit when it opens its new purpose-built floodlit driving range.

Wharton Park Golf and Country Club, near Bewdley, will be welcoming golfers to tee off at its new range when it’s completed in November following a £250,000 investment by the club’s family owners.

It is hoped the facility, which will be based on a five-acre site next to the course’s first hole, will attract non-golfers to the sport and encourage men, woman and children to pick up a club.

The covered range will include 17 bays for golfers and a short-game practice area alongside an indoor state-of-the-art teaching academy and club fitting service.

When completed the range will also be the new home for the club’s PGA advanced golf professional Angus Hoare. Angus, who has been appointed by Wyre Forest District Council to help promote and teach golf in local schools, will be holding one-to-one and group sessions using state-of-the-art technology. He will also hold lessons with children with disabilities and learning difficulties.

The opening of the range will mark another substantial investment from the Umbers family. Earlier this year they celebrated their third year of ownership by completing a £1 million refurbishment of Wharton Park’s clubhouse.

Owner Allan Umbers said: “The driving range is the next phase of our development plans and we are looking forward to the first ball being teed up later this year. We want to provide a first-class facility not only for experienced golfers, but also for people, young and old, who want to learn the game of golf in a happy and friendly atmosphere. It will be open to everyone.

“The range will include some impressive facilities, professional coaching and a new short-game practice area where there will be golf games for children. The new facility will be floodlit and covered so people can work on their game come rain or shine. I think that will be a big plus for golfers whether they are experienced or complete beginners.

“It can be difficult for people to get into golf and we recognise that. To help address that situation there will be no need for any new golfers to have golf clubs or golf balls – we will provide everything. There will be no strict dress code and we will be promoting a relaxed atmosphere where people can improve their game or take part in the programme of lessons on offer.

Mr Umbers said that once the new facilities are opened the club will be offering a unique membership deal for the new range.

He added: “Wharton Park has always been in need of a quality golf range and it will propel the golf side of the club to a new level.”

The Longbank-based club, which employs approximately 55 staff, is an accredited ‘Advanced Golf Mark’ club and recently awarded the ‘Get into Golf’ status– a national programme which promotes the sport.

Wharton Park’s 6455-yard, 18-hole, championship golf course hosts regular professional and member tournaments as well as society days and junior championships.

For more info, visit: www.whartonpark.co.uk

- Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this page, we never allow this to influence product selections - read why you should trust us.