Caenarfon’s centenary facelift

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A year after celebrating its centenary, one of the most traditional golf clubs in North Wales has had a facelift thanks to a £40,000 Legacy Fund grant from Ryder Cup Wales.

The new-look facilities, opened by Minister for Heritage, Alun Ffred Jones, includes an upgrade to the practice facilities and a covered driving range that has been appreciated by members and guests alike at Caernarfon Golf Club, with visitor numbers going up at the course since the improvements.

“It is definitely making an impact with quite a few extra visitors coming along,” said club chairman Meirion Evans.

“The pro is using it to teach and develop our junior section, so it is already proving a big benefit to the club.”

Caernarfon is one of Wales’ top championship courses, with stunning views over the Menai Straits, on the edge of the Snowdonia National Park.

The nearest club is 12 miles away in Bangor, so it is vital to improve the range of facilities in such a large area with a substantial catchment of potential golfers.

The club has forged a link with another Ryder Cup Wales funded facility, the pitch and putt course at nearby Parc Coed Helen, to provide a smooth pathway for golfers in the area from beginner level through to championship course members.

Practice facilities are unrecognisable from what was in place before. There is a driving range with covered bays and three target greens, as opposed to an area between two holes which was there before.

A chipping area has been put in with bunkers and artificial turf chipping stations, while the new putting green is also much bigger than the previous putting area.

“Before our members used to just have a few swings of the club and then go out and play, but now they have the chance to hit a few balls on the range and also practice their short game,” added Evans.

“It is nice to see most of them using the new facilities, while the juniors are on them every day.

“We are working with Golf Development Wales to market our club as well and this is a great addition to members and visitors alike. We are including hitting balls on the range as part of the visitor packages and that is proving popular.

“We rely on visitors coming to the club, so this has been really positive. This has been a boost for the club and the area, we have been waiting a long time for something like this so we are very, very pleased.

“We would never have been able to do this without the grant, so it is having a big impact and all thanks to the legacy of the Ryder Cup being held in Wales.”

Opening the improved facility Minister for Heritage, Alun Ffred Jones, said: “The Ryder Cup was not just a three day event in Newport, but a unique opportunity to further raise the international profile of Wales and deliver economic, tourism, sporting and social benefits throughout the country.”

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