“We are the first to get it, we will be a showcase, and we will be sitting in the most incredible setting you can imagine”
Co Down is set to be the first place in Ireland as a showcase for the globally in-demand Park Golf.
The tourism drive comes after Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s active and healthy communities committee approved a confidential paper on the sports project.
Royal County Down, in Newcastle, the former host course of the Irish Open and considered the best course in the world, is also to be linked to the project with the potential for elite PGA pros to give local kids a lesson in golf skills.
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Former head professional at Royal County Down, Kevan Whitson, told the chamber: “This was actually a Japanese idea, where they really have no land to speak of. Newcastle is lucky to have one of the finest golf courses in the world at Royal County Down.
“It often comes out as No.1 in the world and is a beacon amongst all the tens of thousands of golf courses in the world. The reinvigoration of council land, this was a former pitch and putt in Newcastle, and I know many golfers in the area all began there.
“This will be a facility for all, and the demand for off-course golf is the fastest-growing across the world.”
He added: “In terms of Park Golf, I recently bumped into Scottish professional golfer Iona Stephen.
“She had been across to Japan for a programme on Park Golf, and she was the one who brought the idea home. It is nine holes at the most, sometimes six, and rarely longer than 100 yards per hole.
“One club for all shots, the ball is bigger and lighter, hit to a lower level, and it is a much safer sport.
“This could be for the whole family and an opportunity for school programmes, with PGA pros coming down to give lessons to as many primary school kids as possible to give them the fundamental skills of golf.
“We also have Royal County Down green staff assistance, which they have been asked and agreed to provide, as they are very keen to give something back to the area.
“Golf Ireland has seen the site and they are so excited. We are the first to get it, we will be a showcase, and we will be sitting in the most incredible setting you can imagine.”
The report on the Park Golf was held in a restricted, confidential format in the chamber with no details made public.
However, the Local Democracy Reporting Service understands the land would be at Island Park in the town, with the potential for legacy funding to further develop the project.
A council officer told the chamber that the Park Golf course was aimed to be open by next summer.
Council chairperson Glyn Hanna said: “Whenever this was presented to us first, I thought it was one of the biggest steps forward in using facilities in Newcastle.
“I honestly think this is one of the things we need to do to develop golf throughout the area. I would hope that this will be operational before my time as council chair is up.”
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