A new short game academy was officially opened at Headingley Golf Club in Leeds last week by European Tour player Marcus Armitage to fantastic reviews from members and guests alike.
The new short game practice area occupies what used to be a part of the golf course which sloped down towards Adel Beck. It was perfectly positioned adjacent to the clubhouse, but it only had space for a small chipping area until it was redesigned by Ken Moodie, Director of Creative Golf Design, following a brief from the golf club.
Booth Golf & Leisure sourced and recycled excess soils, which were imported from nearby construction projects to level the land and create a much larger area. This now gives members the opportunity to play shots of up to 100 yards to an attractive target green perched at the end of the outfield from a new purpose-built artificial grass teeing area.
A large chipping green of almost 50m in length has also been built to offer a range of chip shots to be played from the main teeing area or from the grass around it. In addition, several 2m circular tee mats have been placed in strategic locations around the green to act as practice stations for coaching purposes and general use to reduce the number of divots being taken, especially through the winter months.
Speaking at the launch, Marcus Armitage said: “This is a fantastic facility. I would have loved to have had this when I was starting out in the game. There are loads of options on what to practice – from around the green, and from sand to hitting 100-yard pitch shots to the green. And the setting is spectacular.”
Rob Bristow, Head of Booth Golf & Leisure, commented: “We are super proud of how the project has developed over the past couple of years, the finished product is truly fantastic and without doubt the best short game practise facility in Yorkshire. It is now there for all Headingley Golf Club members to use for years to come.”
The new facility has been carefully integrated into the landscape and the banks tie in imperceptibly with the 18th fairway, helping to form the dogleg and add challenge on the closing hole. Many members and visitors commented during the opening events that it feels like it has always been there, which is testament to the quality of the design and build.
The greenkeeping team at Headingley, led by Course Manager Andy Stanger, have done an excellent job with growing-in the new facilities to a very high standard, and the greens will continue to improve as time goes on. The whole Academy is perfectly framed by wispy fescue grasses, so that the aesthetics are stunning and will change in colour with the seasons.
The two bunkers give members the chance to practice every type of bunker shot. The whole project was conducted in a professional manner by all parties and C&C Golfscapes provided the final shaping and finishing expertise.
The new academy is part of a larger project to enhance the practice facilities at the club.
Booth Golf & Leisure, which oversaw the entire project, were able to fund the development through the importation of inert fill. Alongside the academy, the existing large practice ground is undergoing redevelopment with target greens. The additional funding generated will contribute to a new irrigation system.
The finished product is going to provide members with some top-class practice facilities which will include a large main teeing area, an elite tee at the far end of the range, and three target greens. The build is progressing very well and should be ready for use in 2025.
Bristow concluded: “The whole team working collaboratively on this project has been crucial in delivering this outcome, and we offer our thanks to everyone involved. The experience of working in unison with Ken Moodie, the Headingley Golf Club committee, Andy Stanger and his greenkeeping team, Martin Crompton and his finishing team, has been amazing.”