County Durham’s Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa is developing a new multifunctional short-game area – a teaching and practice facility that will further establish its position as the ‘North East’s No.1 Golf Resort’.
The floodlit short-game area – which is scheduled to open in June – will provide an unrivalled practice facility for players of all levels; from beginners to elite amateurs and professionals.
Designed by acclaimed golf course architect Jonathan Gaunt, of Gaunt Golf Design, the latest addition to the 36-hole resort is set to elevate the teaching experience at Ramside Hall for PGA professionals Kevin Jackson and Phil Redpath, providing the perfect environment to help golfers improve their game in the scoring zone.
Gaunt, who designed both the Prince Bishop’s and Cathedral courses – which opened in 1996 and 2014 respectively – said: “It was a pleasure to come back to a place I first visited in the early nineties. The work that has gone on here is incredible, and this short-game area represents another big step forward. It is a game-changer for the resort and the overall golf experience.”
With two large greens and multiple hitting areas, the expansive new practice area doubles up as a short course in which golfers can play a variety of holes. At the same time, there will be ample space for coaching and group lessons.
PGA Professional Jackson said: “This is a fantastic multifunctional facility that is unique to the area. There is simply nothing else like it in the North East of England.
“As well as giving golfers the opportunity to practise all the shots they will face on each course, it will allow members and visitors to work on their short games at their leisure.
“It will also be the perfect base for elite players from the region to come and work on their scoring shots. It will be a short-game area for all players and will enhance the teaching experience at Ramside.”
Both golf courses at the award-winning hotel and spa resort, which is located just a short drive away from Durham’s stunning Cathedral, have had further work done over the last 18 months to bring them up to modern standards, with the Cathedral having extensive work that includes the build of two new holes. Course drainage work is set to be completed in 2026, which will significantly help in extending the playing seasons for both courses.
Last October, to complement the two highly-rated courses, the resort opened The Pin, a brand new entertainment hub including a six-lane bowling alley, sports bar and 43-bay TopTracer driving range.
John Adamson, Managing Director of Ramside Estates, the family-owned hospitality business that owns Ramside Hall, said: “I am very grateful to Jonathan and his team for their expertise, for this really is a wonderful addition to the resort.
“As part of our multi-million pound investment, this short-game area will cater for golfers of all abilities. It is an exciting time for Ramside Hall as we continue to evolve and meet the demands of both members and visitors.”
