Parfect day as duo putt in charge at golf club
Pair reopen course and vow to scrap restrictions in a bid to be more inclusive
THE scenic greens of Heaton Park golf course are open for action after a couple of local lads stepped in to secure its future.
PGA pro Andrew Terry and business partner Joe Jackson– under the name Heaton Park Golf – will take responsibility for the course on behalf of Manchester council.
The award-winning 18-hole course, three-par pitch-and-putt and clubhouse re-opened on Friday.
Heywood duo Andrew and Joe, who grew up playing at Heaton Park, hope that by taking the reins they can get more people involved in the sport.
The course closed last October after an arrangement between the council and Green Circle Estates came to an end.
The operator had taken over temporarily after Heaton Park’s management company, Mack Trading, ceased trading in October 2018.
Having taken over Marland golf course at Springfield Park in Rochdale – and saving it from a similar fate – Andrew and Joe felt Heaton Park was the next logical step.
Andrew, who has more than 20 years’ experience in the golf industry, said: “We felt that we could really improve the facilities at Heaton Park and keep it open.
“Me and Joe grew up two or three miles away and we played at Heaton Park in our childhood, so we knew all about its history and we didn’t want it to close. It’s fantastic to get the opportunity to take over what is a great golf course with a fantastic reputation.”
Andrew said the main aim of Heaton Park Golf is to provide an affordable way to play golf for people of all ages.
“We’re trying to remove all the barriers that stop people getting involved in the sport,” he added.
“Private golf clubs tend to have quite a lot of restrictions on dress codes and when you can tee off. But we want to scrap all that. People will be able to wear whatever makes them comfortable.”
Young people aged 16 and under will be able to play golf for free, while younger ones will be able to try out the sport using plastic clubs and soft balls.
Plans are also in place to open a cafe hut on the par three pitch-and-putt course to provide drinks and snacks.