Diggers move in for new golf course at Lakes
WORK is under way to create a full size 18-hole golf course at the Leisure Lakes attraction in Mere Brow.
Leisure Lakes bosses are due to oversee a major transformation of the resort, which will see also see the creation of 140 lodges to be built around the site through a mixture of woodland structures and floating homes.
Space will also be allocated for a further 225 caravan pitches on the site of the existing touring area and driving range.
Documents submitted to West Lancashire Council as part of a planning application for the expansion suggested the business could fail without the transformation, but a brighter future is now expected. The running of the resort had previously relied on subsidies from the owners other businesses but a much more positive future is now anticipated.
A central part of the regrowth of the resort will be improving the golf offering by adding an full-size 18-hole course to the existing ninehole layout. This will also result in the relocation of the driving range and the building of a new clubhouse.
The plans have taken several years to come to fruition and it is now seen as a very exciting time for Southport Golf Academy, which operates the golfing provision at Leisure Lakes.
James Carpenter, director of golf operations, said: “It’s great news now we’ve got something to talk to people about. It’s been a long time in the planning.
“It’s been delayed for various reasons, out of the hands of the land owners, so it’s great to be able to talk about it.”
Mr Carpenter also explained that the new course was not designed to compete with those at Southport’s historic Hillside Golf Club and Royal Birkdale but was intended to cater for those new to the sport, those who don’t want to pay large membership fees, and those who don’t always want, or have time, to play 18 holes.
“We are a training academy,” he said.
We’re beneficial that our facilities are relatively unique in the area. To have a driving range together is relatively unique.
“We’ve got some fantastic courses in the area, but it can be very hard to get into playing for the first time.
“In the area we have some fantastic courses but some of them are hundreds of years old and rightly have their own traditions, which can make it hard for new players.”
By contrast, SGA’s key selling point is to enable beginners to learn the game and play on a smaller course before potentially linking up with more formal clubs.
The new course is designed to enhance this, as well as giving existing and new visitors a greater challenge.
Diggers moved onto the site last week to begin the first phase of work constructing the new course.
With extensive work needed to ensure the ground can suitably drain rainwater, it is expected to be around two years until the new course is complete and ready for play.