Garnant Golf Club's revamp in full swing (From South Wales Guardian)

Garnant Golf Club's revamp in full swing

6:00am Saturday 11th August 2012 in News

WORK has started on the major refurbishment of Garnant Golf Club and its clubhouse by its newoperators.

Clays Golf took over the running of the club last year from Carmarthenshire county council and a substantial redevelopment of the restaurant, lounge, bar area and changing rooms is under way.

In addition, the company commissioned a report on the course from a leading agronomist from the Sports Turf Research Institute and is working to improve fairway drainage and the quality of the greens at the location. Built at a cost of just under £1m on a former opencast mine and known formerly as Parc Garnant, Wrexham-based Clay’s Golf signed a 25-yearlease to take over the running of the 18-hole course and clubhouse in September.

Clays Golf managing director Steve Williams said: “There is huge potential here to establish Garnant Golf Club as a fantastic golf venue and superb local amenity.

“We are completely refurbishing the clubhouse and restaurant, adding a sports bar and installing a new decked area overlooking the course, which will make it a great venue for weddings and functions.

“On the course, the high quality of the greens and tee boxes were praised in the report, but we are improving them and the drainage scheme suggested is being implemented. The course has the potential to be very special.”

The 120-acre course has privatemembers, but is also open to the public on a pay-per-play basis. Neil Owen, a professional golfer, has been appointed as director of golf, having worked previously with Clays Golf – which has been recognised by the Golf Union of Wales as a centre of excellence in Wrexham.

Hesaid: “Wewould encourage anyone who has played at Garnant Golf Club before, or used the facility in the past, to come and see what we’re doing here.”