Golf club looks to attract new business after £250,000 investment
A WORCESTERSHIRE golf club is looking to attract new business after investing £250,000 into the facility.
Wharton Park Golf and Country Club, near Bewdley, is using the money, which has been made available by the club’s family owners, to create a new driving range. The facility is due to be completed this month.
The golf club is hoping the facility, which will be based on a five-acre site next to the course’s first hole, will attract non-golfers to the sport and encourage men, woman and children to pick up a club.
The covered range will include 17 bays for golfers and a short-game practice area alongside an indoor state-of-the-art teaching academy and club fitting service.
When completed the range will also be the new home for the club’s PGA advanced golf professional Angus Hoare. Hoare, who has been appointed by Wyre Forest District Council to help promote and teach golf in local schools, will be holding one-to-one and group sessions using state-of-the-art technology. He will also hold lessons with children with disabilities and learning difficulties.
The opening of the range marks another substantial investment from the Umbers family. Earlier this year they celebrated their third year of ownership by completing a £1m refurbishment of Wharton Park’s clubhouse.
Owner Allan Umbers said: “The driving range is the next phase of our development plans and we are looking forward to the first ball being teed up later this year. We want to provide a first-class facility not only for experienced golfers, but also for people, young and old, who want to learn the game of golf in a happy and friendly atmosphere. It will be open to everyone.
“The range will include some impressive facilities, professional coaching and a new short-game practice area where there will be golf games for children. The new facility will be floodlit and covered so people can work on their game come rain or shine. I think that will be a big plus for golfers whether they are experienced or complete beginners.”
Umbers said that once the new facilities are opened the club will be offering a unique membership deal for the new range.
“Wharton Park has always been in need of a quality golf range and it will propel the golf side of the club to a new level,” he added.
