Stonham Barns Park, one of Suffolk’s premier leisure, retail and holiday destinations, is adding an Adventure Footgolf course to its activities, with the new facility set to open on April 7.
Stonham Barns Golf Park has been offering Footgolf – the hybrid sport combining football and golf – since 2014 and as a result of the Golf Park’s growing reputation, has developed its facilities to include a new and 9-hole Smugglers Pass Adventure Footgolf course. A substantial investment, the new course has seen over 700 native trees planted and been a full two years in the making.
Footgolf is one of the UK’s fastest growing sports and a thrilling game with challenges suitable for players of all levels. Footballs are provided by the venue – so no equipment required – and the object of the game is to get around the course with the least number of kicks.
Hugo Dobson, PGA Professional at The Golf Centre: said “Our aim is to provide a fun way of going outdoors and staying active for the whole family. This is all about fun and developing skills. We have been offering footgolf now for some time and can confirm footgolf is now an established sport in the UK.
‘We wanted to launch this newly designed footgolf course to attract even more families to the game. We had a blank canvas to start the process and so have built a course – on our former practice area – that will be suitable from beginners but also cater for those who are looking to perfect their footgolf skills.
He added: “There will be pirates, barrels, rope and netting, shipwrecks and masts with pirate flags added to the course, most of which are actually obstacles – it is going to be fun and perfect for families, friends and workday’s out. My personal aim is to make Stonham Barns Golf Park into the best Golf Activity centre in the country.’
Work on the new course started in September 2021 after the design of the layout had been agreed. Its name, Smugglers Pass Adventure Footgolf, works in synergy with Stonham Barns Golf Park’s pirate-themed Adventure Golf Course which is a favourite with both holiday visitors and locals alike.
Dobson added: ‘Our aim was to make the course challenging enough for the most experienced footgolfer, but still fun and engaging for a child to play round unlike most footgolf courses. There are also some bunkers around the course to catch wayward shots. One, in particular, is a giant 13m by 12m bunker with a sleeper retaining wall running around it called ‘Jones’ Crater’. These bunkers are all filled with wood chippings, so they are soft and safe for kids but also hard to kick a ball out of, so they make for a good hazard.”
‘Last autumn we installed artificial grass tee boxes and footgolf greens which ensure the course is in the best condition all year round. We finished building the Smugglers Pass entrance last month and now we are applying the finishing touches to the course such as theming the course and adding more obstacles. The concept is closely related to our Adventure Golf Course, Smugglers Bay, which is pirate-themed.”
The Golf Park at Stonham Barns Park is a family business – owned by Tony and Helen Dobson – which has been operating since 1996 and has evolved from a driving range and mini putt course to a full-blown golf activity centre including Adventure Golf, Indoor Simulator Golf, Scenic 9 Hole course with Footgolf and now a dedicated Adventure Footgolf course. The centre employs 8 members of staff plus it has three PGA coaching professionals, Tony Dobson, Rob Pritchard and Luke Green.
ll the activities are pay and play but the golf park recommends always booking in advance through its website www.stonhambarnsgolf.co.uk especially the indoor golf all year round and the footgolf/adventure golf during busy seasons. For group bookings or for more information call them on 01449 711545.
Stonham Barns Golf Park has a membership for the golf course (which is for unlimited play on the golf course) but does include 20% off all our other activities. Its’ £25 per month for adults and £10 per month for juniors (under 16’s).