mar26 closehouse
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Plans for a £7.5 million development project at Close House Hotel & Golf course in the North East have been approved.
Alan Graham, a director of Close House, said: “We have purchased another 200 acres over the last four years, steadily buying up more land. This is part of a 10-year plan to make Close House one of the finest golf resorts in the North East. These are exciting times for us as this is one of many projects we are working on.”
John Glendinning, Golf Manager of Close House said: “We have been working hard over the last 2 years to design and gain permission for a championship standard golf course which will appeal to everyone and will enhance the North East of England as a golfing destination.
“It will be of a much higher standard than our existing 18 hole course, and we will hopefully attract a significant tournament at some point in the future.”
Work will start immediately on the approved plans for a cutting edge club house, with panoramic windows over the Tyne Valley with restaurant and conference facilities.
The championship length course is being designed by Turner Macpherson Golf Design. The name of the course is a joint celebration of the equine theme of Close House – complete with its stables – and the style of the intended design.
Scott Macpherson of TMGD quoted, “Close House is one of the most inspiring places a golf course architect could ever hope to work. The property is pregnant with inspiration.
“Between the woodlands, the ice house, the lakes and archeology, a golf course routing has been uncovered that will bring great joy to golfers who come to visit the future.
“With planning permission now granted, we are looking forward to gently massaging golfing landforms into the fields north and west of the mansion house that will excite golfers for many years to come. “
Great time and energy has been spent routing the proposed golf course around the grounds of Close House so members and visitors to the new course will get to see and engage with the great and historic features of the site including the stone walls, the ancient monuments, the woodlands and the Ice Lake.
The course will measure around 7000 yards from the back tees, but the essence and focus of the design is fun for all levels of golfers.
A new golf academy and custom fit centre is being headed up by ex-England golfer Jonathan Lupton with a bespoke driving range. A dedicated team of PGA Professionals are already working with schools in the community to teach golf at grassroots level from the age of 5 upwards.
Close House Hotel has excellent transport links situated just ten minutes from the city centre and Newcastle airport. The hotel already attracts visitors to the region from the UK and beyond.
