Pennine Golf secures nine-hole Oldham course
A NEW company has secured the 25-year lease of a pitch and putt course north of Oldham at Bishop Park.
Pennine Golf, owned by Rochdale-based Mark and Colette Cumiskey and incorporated earlier in the month, was chosen following a competitive tender involving four other firms.
The nine-hole pitch and putt course has holes ranging from 89 to 119 yards. There is also an 18-hole putting green.
In recent years it has operated seasonally from April to October but Pennine Golf plans to keep it open all year round. It also wants to open a café at the booking office and the former changing rooms, and turn an adjoining former cricket pitch into a new driving range.
Mark Cumiskey, director of Pennine Golf, said: “The Bishop Park facility is an eye-catching site which has wonderful potential and our plans will keep the popular sport of golf in this area with a local hub for golfers to hone their skills and enjoy themselves. We also intend to offer the facility to local schools and local clubs, plus attract local businesses in the area for mini corporate days in conjunction with our neighbours at The Kings Arms.”
Councillor Shoab Akhtar said: “This pitch and putt facility was making year-on-year losses and as a council we decided, with the support of the Bishop Park Trust Committee, to advertise it on the open market earlier this year and try to revive its fortunes. We’ve had considerable interest from parties to rent it with plans to maximise the site’s potential and attract the general public.
“Through our co-operative working here we wanted to make sure this stunning site remained a golfing facility for the public to enjoy – and one that will have better facilities. This is great news for the borough and we’re delighted to grant this initial licence to the new tenant who has previous experience in tending golf courses across the country.”
The selection process was handled by the Unity Partnership, a joint venture between the council and infrastructure services group Mouchel.
