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Allerton Manor Golf Club
opens new facilities and looks to attain PGA Championship
IN 2014, Liverpool City Council was
subsidising every game of golf played at Allerton Manor Golf Club by a Fiver
(£5) a round. Since then it has established a partnership with specialist
golf course operator GreenCircle Estates Ltd and now, after a programme of
improvements, the popular municipal South Liverpool course is making money for
the local authority. "When Mayor Anderson invited us to work with him and
the City Council to improve the golf and leisure options at Allerton Manor we
knew the course had massive potential. The setting with mature trees lining the
fairways only 5 miles from the City Centre provided a great opportunity.
Allerton Manor is the only municipal course in the City, so our objective was to
create a public access golf club with private club standards, both on and off
the course. We want to make Allerton Manor attractive to beginners and
recreational golfers but also sufficiently challenging for competitions and golf
society events. We have invested in the course, improving the tees, fairways and
greens through better course maintenance; and we now host about 50,000 rounds of
golf here each year.” said GreenCircle director Mike Hanlon.
And in addition to the on course improvements, a new clubhouse, bar and
restaurant will open this weekend, extending a warm welcome to the public,
whether they are golfers or not. The refurbishment of the Old Stables has now
created a 68 cover restaurant, a casual bar and terrace, new golf shop and first
class changing facilities and locker room. The refurbishment was completed by
local building firm Camel Property Services and supported 40 construction jobs
including 3 apprenticeships.
"Contrary to stereotypes, golf is a democratic game on
Merseyside, increasingly popular with male and female players of all ages from
all communities across the City. When we created this partnership at Allerton
Manor Golf Club, it was to protect and enhance a green asset in South Liverpool,
provide an improved facility for local golfers and return the course to a
sustainable and profitable operation contributing to, rather than drawing on,
the City's budget. The management team have had tremendous success so far, and
have ambitious plans to further improve the offer; such as lengthening the
course to a par 72 so it qualifies for PGA competition status. I was delighted
to open the new clubhouse facilities which rival many of the more established
private golf clubs in the region.” said Mayor of Liverpool, Joe
Anderson.
“We are grateful for the Mayor's ongoing support and are confident our
partnership with the City Council will deliver significant improvements to the
city's only public access golf course and continue to generate jobs and
apprenticeships for local people.” said Mike Hanlon. |
