Now you can play all year!

AN 800,000 pound investment will result in Northop Country Park being returned to a par 72 Championship Golf Course by April 1st. It will boast the longest par 5 in Wales at 617 yards, with the new tee being constructed on the 11th.

No expense has been spared to improve drainage, ensuring that a great game of golf can now be enjoyed every month of the year.

We have invested considerably in new green keeper equipment and substantial redesigns of the course have also been made. The introduction of all weather tees on the altered holes will continue. In time all holes will benefit from them. Extensions to the old 5th (new 4th) some 100 yards and a new water hazard will certainly inspire the golfer.

The new 5th is a dog leg right extending 380 yards will also be a testing hole and once again watch out for the water. The 6th has been lengthened by 25 yards and the bunkers marshalling the green modified to suit a par 3. The holes have been designed with every standard of golfer in mind, ranging from beginner to Pro, so that everyone will enjoy a game of golf I hope! Head Keeper Dan Hayes and his team are to be congratulated for all the hard work they have put in during the last year.

The very wet summer caused some delays and frustrations, and my thanks go out to every member for their patience. The work is due to be completed by April and I'm sure everyone will agree the wait will be worth it.

THE major investment undertaken at Northop has included intensive work on improving the drainage of the course. Northop has suffered from drainage issues in the past but this has changed thanks to a full drainage overhaul. Sand banding has been introduced across most of the fairways to aid drainage and the front 9 is now serviced with a buggy path, which will be extended to the back nine over the year. A new bore hole has been drilled to further reduce water costs. In the future we hope to install a water recycling system. All the works carried out and to be carried out will be of the highest standard, retaining USGA specification greens (the only ones in North Wales). It is also with pride that I tell you that Northop is to be marketed as one of the Top 10 courses in Wales by the tourist board.

These major undertakings are just the start of an ambitious programme which will see Northop flourish. Everyone here is justifiably proud of the fact that Northop can now lay claim to being one of the top 20 best golf courses in North Wales. see news tag for full story.