Plans for clubhouse revamp at golf course
A LITTLEBOROUGH golf club could be getting a revamp with a new clubhouse.
Whittaker Golf Club, on Whittaker Lane, has applied to create a new clubhouse with a first floor terrace and disabled access, turning the current clubhouse into two houses.
The 1940s greenkeepers building would also be demolished as it is no longer in a safe condition, and the car park would be extended, plus a new trolley store and bin enclosure put in.
New trees would also be planted, on top of the 20,000 the club has already planted since 1893.
If plans are improved by Rochdale council, the new clubhouse would include male and female changing facilities with lockers, a shower rooms with toilet facilities, office, entrance lobby, a disabled lift to the first floor, beer cellar and a plant room on the ground floor.
On the first floor there would be a function room and bar lounge, bar servery with glass wash area, kitchen, disabled toilet, male and female toilet facilities, and a first floor terrace.
The new trolley store would be located at the rear of the car park with a new bin storage area adjacent to the trolley store, and an additional parking area would be created to the front of the proposed new club house as an extension of the existing one.
In the planning statement, the club said: “In an era of declining memberships, lower participation levels and increased closures of golf clubs it is important that
Whittaker Golf Club continue investing and growing to sustain their market place and hopefully grow.
“The introduction of the new clubhouse facilities will aid this goal for the following reasons: Allow the development of the junior section through a shorter golf course with state of the art facilities The golf industry and this golf club are experiencing ageing memberships and it is considered important to improve facilities to retain existing members and attract new members in order to compete with other facilities.”
Part of the development plan is to provide an opportunity for individuals/groups with disabilities to participate, which would facilitated by a shorter course and a state of the art facility.
Ladies golf is decreasing in the golf industry but the proposals seek to develop and grow this section.
Surveys suggest the reasons for the decrease in ladies participation are for reasons such as the length of the course and the time it takes to complete a round of golf on a full distance 18 hole course, as well as inadequate facilities.
The statement added that there is a “concern that golfers seeking competitive golf are choosing alternative venues” and that Whittaker Golf Club directors and management had worked hard to transform the club.
It goes on: “They are keen to continue improving their reputation to avoid being left behind by local golf clubs with a significant longer history of existence.”