More than a hundred people turned out at Daventry’s golf club for a champagne reception to mark the formal opening of its new pro shop and ‘swing studio’ on Tuesday.
Keen golfers competed for £500 of prize on the famous par three at Pebble Beach, California which was recreated in the golf simulator recently installed at the club. Golf professional and store manager Richard Mudge hopes the move to the club from his old premises on Station Close should be good for business, while his golf simulator should have a valuable role in helping golfers get into the swing of things.
He said: “It is very exciting to have this up and running, and though this is a private club the facility is open to all visitors from other clubs and people from the town.
“One of the noticeable things that stood out was how friendly and welcoming the golf club is, which is so important in this day and age when golf clubs are trying to attract new members.
“The club is located on the edge of the town and also has another hidden gem – a driving range open to all offering the best value in the UK.”
Members of the golf club came together to build a brand-new extension to accommodate Richard’s simulator, which he says he may well donate to the club on his retirement.
He said: “The whole thing, building and simulator, would have cost in excess of £50,000 brand new.” Club president Ray Lewis said: “We are only a small nine-hole club and a lot of people don’t know we are here. I think this will be good for the club.
“We have struggled a bit without a professional, now we have Richard it will be a big benefit to all of us.”
The gathering was joined by award-winning professional golfer Paul Broadhurst, who was presented with a lifetime membership to Daventry and District Golf Club, which marked its centenary in 2007.