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North Inch to launch nine-hole and six-hole initiative
Not so long ago Perth’s historic North Inch Golf Course was threatened with closure.
But a number of new initiatives and course improvements have resulted in a new lease of life.
Golf course officer and PGA professional Niall McGill has no plans to rest on any laurels as the 2017 season begins to fully burst into action.
Across the globe golf courses often face the frustrating problem of slow play. Even the average round of three and a half hours can be time consuming – and McGill is fully aware of that.
“We are introducing a nine-hole green fee and a sixhole green fee, which will be charged based on the time you are on the golf course,” he said.
“Our nine-hole green fee will give you 1 hour and 45 minutes play and our six-hole green fee 1 hour 10 minutes. These timings are based around an average 3.5 hour round of golf.
“We are trying to encourage people who may not have enough time to play a full 18 holes. I believe that we will be the area’s first 18 hole course to offer anything other than a Niall McGill is continuing to revive the fortunes of the North Inch Golf Course
full round.
“We also believe there are many golfers who do not play enough golf to justify an annual season ticket, but do play more than just the occasional round.
“As such we are introducing a 10 round green fee ticket, which is valid seven days a week. This will cost £150 for an adult and £120 for a senior (65+) or young adult (18-29).
“This ticket will offer golfers
a saving over paying on a per visit green fee.
“Our ‘Get into Golf’ season ticket is going into its third year and is becoming increasingly more popular.
“This category allows new golfers restricted access to the full golf course and also includes up to four hours of group coaching with a PGA Professional. At a cost of £99 per annum, this offer is great value for money.”
The swathe of improvement measures at the course is aimed at getting more people involved in the game.
“We are introducing a ‘First Steps’ annual membership of our six-hole par three course, which is great for people starting at the game of golf,” McGill continued.
“The par three course has proven very popular with lady beginner golfers who have been coming along to our regular Monday evening sessions, which are run by the members of Perth Ladies Golf Club.
“Our ‘First Steps’ membership will allow unlimited access to the par three course all year for just £49.
“We ran a ‘golf club amnesty’ two years ago, where local golfers gifted unused sets of clubs for use at North Inch.
“We now offer free club hire to anyone wanting to play golf at North Inch, in an effort to remove as much of the cost barrier to playing golf as possible.
“We plan to run several ‘Come and Try’ days this season, in an effort to temp more people into trying the game.”
McGill brought Footgolf – a combination of football and golf – to the North Inch last year. It’s been a success and there are plans for expansion.
“We are also planning to open another nine holes of Footgolf, which will be on a piece of land adjacent to the golf course,” McGill said.
“This will allow us to have Footgolf available seven days a week and not just weekend afternoons as at present. The current nine holes of Footgolf are located on part of the main golf course, restricting opening times.
“Footgolf has proven very popular since we opened last May and is a great fun for all the family. We have had many people requesting to play Footgolf at times we are currently unable to offer.
“It has also helped us encourage people to come and try real golf.”
A membership Open Day will be held on Sunday, April 9. Anyone interested in joining and taking out an annual season ticket can play the course for free between 10am and 1pm.
●Tee times must be booked in advance by calling 01738 636481 or sending an email to northinchgolf@pkc.gov.uk