Whitekirk Golf & Country Club has unveiled plans to transform itself into the first major golf and leisure resort in East Lothian, Scotland.
The £15 million development will see the addition of a second 18-hole golf course and a 100-bedroom four-star hotel with full conferencing facilities and function rooms.
Despite offering a host of world famous courses including Muirfield, North Berwick and Gullane, there is no venue in East Lothian offering the range of facilities being proposed at Whitekirk – meaning the development will make it the ideal place to visit for golfers wanting to holiday in the Scottish region.
The new course is planned to be a 6,450-yard parkland layout. Set in gently rolling countryside, it will include a number of attractive water features in addition to several wildlife sanctuary areas.
It will provide a great contrast to the existing well-established heathland-style course – which offers fantastic, panoramic views of the surrounding countryside stretching to the Firth of Forth – meaning Whitekirk will offer golfers two distinctly different playing experiences.
The new plans are the latest step in Whitekirk’s continuing growth.
The Tuer family, the owners of Whitekirk, opened the golf course in 1995 and have successfully transformed it into one of the area’s leading facilities including the expansion of the restaurant and addition of a fully-equipped leisure, health and fitness centre.
The new development will also include up to 50 houses and 21 holiday lodges discreetly positioned around the estate.
Whitekirk’s impact has been considerable in the 11 years it has been open. Despite being relatively new, the course has been hosting EuroPro Tour Events for several years with highlights broadcast internationally by Sky Sports – this year the Kronenbourg Classic will be held during the week commencing June 19.
George Tuer, founder and chairman of Whitekirk Golf & Country Club, said: “We are delighted to announce these plans which will considerably enhance and expand our existing facilities.
“It’s amazing that somewhere with a golfing pedigree as strong as that which exists in East Lothian, doesn‘t already have a top-class golf and leisure resort.
“I believe this development will provide a superb facility for anyone who loves golf and we’re looking forward to welcoming golfers from all over the world.
“Not only will visitors be able to play our two fantastic courses but the resort is also the perfect base for those who wish to venture further a field and play some of the other great courses the region has to offer.
“A lot of research and planning has gone into the application and we are confident this integrated development will result in a facility of which both Whitekirk and East Lothian as a region can be justly proud.”
The submission of the plan is the result of more than two years’ detailed work in consultation with East Lothian Council’s guidelines. The project has involved an extensive team of experts ranging from archaeologists to landscape architects.
The process culminated in a full environmental impact study and assessment and has ensured the scheme will minimise impact on the local environment and its residents as well as fitting into the existing landfall and infrastructure.
Whitekirk Golf & Country Club www.whitekirk.com
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