Exeter golf course to be redesigned

Exeter Golf and Country Club has secured funding from Charles Church, part of the Persimmon Group, towards the redesign of its golf course.

The deal comes after two years of negotiations between the Club and housebuilder over how to ensure the safety of residents of Great Woodcote Park, a new housing development being built next to the golf course.

The Club had been advised by two separate specialist golf architects that the houses were sited too close to the boundary, increasing the risk of golf balls leaving the course and causing injury or damage.

The redesign of the golf course will overcome this problem by repositioning three holes of the 18-hole course. It will be overseen by international golf course architects Mackenzie & Ebert with works designed to minimise disruption to members. An 18-hole golf course will be maintained throughout the work with the use of temporary holes where necessary.

It is hoped that building work will start in September 2015 and will be completed by spring 2016.

Will Gannon, Chairman of Exeter Golf and Country Club, said: “This new agreement with Persimmon is excellent news as it secures the future of the golf club, which has a 120 year-long history in the city and is very much part of the community here.

“When it emerged in 2012 that houses planned by Persimmon would pose a threat to safety because of their proximity to the boundary, we started negotiations to try and resolve the situation.

“At one stage, we considered erecting high safety netting around part of the boundary to solve the issue but the redesign of the course is a much better solution for all concerned.

“We are very pleased that we have reached this agreement and can push ahead with this project, which we could not have afforded to do without this significant funding from Persimmon.

“The architects have come up with an elegant redesign which will ensure our members can continue to enjoy the quality of golf they have come to expect at the club for many years to come.”

Leading property consultancy JLL advised Exeter Golf and Country Club throughout the negotiations with Persimmon. Mr Gannon added: “We have been delighted with the support JLL has provided throughout this period.”

To celebrate the securing of this new funding from Persimmon, Exeter Golf and Country Club is offering to waive the normal joining fee for new golfers until April 1, 2015, representing a saving of £300. The club has also extended its young adult membership category so that all golfers between the ages of 18 and 30 now benefit from a reduced membership subscription as well as the no joining fee offer.

Exeter Golf and Country Club, in Countess Wear in Exeter, was founded in the city in 1895, but moved to its current site in 1929. It has 750 golf members and 4,000 other members who use the additional facilities including indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis, squash, a bridge club, fitness centre and a range of classes.

The club has recently added to its offering to members by opening its own ESPA spa, Wear Park Spa.