Young golfers in Neath Port Talbot are set to benefit from Wales hosting the Ryder Cup, in Newport, in 2010 and have received a windfall of £150K.
The money has been granted by the Ryder Cup Wales Legacy Fund to Neath County Council and will bring a new-look Gnoll Park golf course that has been designed especially with juniors in mind.
John Jermine, chairman of Ryder Cup Wales 2010 Ltd, said, “In our successful bid to host the Ryder Cup the Welsh Assembly Government promised to make golf more accessible throughout Wales and to attract new players to the game. The transformation of Gnoll Park is a marvellous example of the new and improved facilities we need in Wales and will be a long lasting benefit to the area and for future generations.”
The work is expected to cost around £165,000 and will include building several new greens and fairways, the installation of high quality artificial tees and the provision of a kiosk and small car park. The existing nine holes course will be reconfigured to make it more user friendly and more enjoyable for the young people starting to play the game.
Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Heritage, Rhodri Glyn Thomas, said, “The Legacy Fund is a £2m investment into grassroots golf by the Welsh Assembly and the new Gnoll Park will give everybody who would like to start the game, but particularly youngsters, the chance to develop their golfing skills as well as enjoying a healthy and active lifestyle.”
The project will go out to tender shortly for work to begin in July with the course planned to open by Easter 2009.
The Legacy Fund is administered, on behalf of Ryder Cup Wales, by the Sports Council for Wales and is supported by The European Tour and the Professional Golfers Association, as well as the Golf Union of Wales.
Ryder Cup Wales www.rydercupwales2010.com