Glynhir golf boost thanks to Ryder Cup
Golfers will be able to play for free at a West Wales club to mark the opening of new facilities, thanks to a £35,000 grant from Ryder Cup Wales.
Glynhir Golf Club near Ammanford are celebrating their centenary by bringing their facilities bang up to date, changing a driving range into a short game area.
Five new par three holes are being opened by Ryder Cup Wales Chairman, John Jermine, as part of the legacy to Welsh golf of hosting one of the world’s biggest sporting events at The Celtic Manor at the end of the summer.
The opening on April 13th is being marked by the chance for visitors to play for free on the main course as well as trying out the new par three holes, all as part of Golf Awareness Week.
Glynhir Captain, Richard Blockwell, says the new facilities will make a massive difference to the members and the future of the club with the ability to encourage youngsters to take up golf.
“We had a driving range which was underused, so we have been able to turn it into five par three holes which will give people a chance to learn the game and to practice their short game,” he explained.
“We are also offering free membership for juniors up to the age of 18, providing they are in full-time education, and we are keen to extend our links with schools – there will be around 20 local headmasters coming to the opening.
“The more youngsters we can encourage to play, the better. Anyone who is new to the game can try it on the new par three holes, without having to face the more daunting task of going onto the full course.
“Anyone can come and play the course for free on the Tuesday afternoon after the opening and there will also be free tee times every afternoon as part of Golf Awareness Week. There is a tee booking system so they just have to ring the pro to book.
“It is a parkland course with the river Loughor marking the boundary on two sides, it is a beautiful course – especially in the summer.
“We hope a few Americans might make it down from The Celtic Manor later this summer, but in the meantime these facilities show the legacy of The Ryder Cup is being felt right across Wales.”
John Jermine is delighted to see the spread of these high quality facilities throughout Wales that are particularly helpful for beginners as well as giving the better players a great opportunity to improve their short games.
“Having a short course will make the game much more enjoyable for youngsters and new players and this imaginative new scheme is making excellent use of an underused driving range by turning it into a par three course,” he said.
“With more schoolchildren being encouraged to take up the game – it is now a Dragon Sport in our primary schools – and through a number of schemes the club are planning with the new facilities, I am sure many of them will have a lifetime of fun from golf. It has been a real pleasure for Ryder Cup Wales to help Glynhir Golf Club create a wonderful legacy that will benefit everybody in the local area and be a great benefit to the club, enjoyed by many future generations of golfers.”