Heysham Golf Club open new Short Game Academy

Pictured at the opening of Heysham Golf Club's new Short Game Academy are Dave Hutchinson, course manager, Tony Johnson and Dave Campbell from Bay Radio, head professional Ryan Done and Senior Tour pro Gary Wolstenholme.

The updated facilities were made possible after a £50,000 grant as part of Sport England’s Inspired Facilities fund.

The short game areas have been expanded and weather proofed with a larger chipping green, 100-yard pitching area with Astroturf green and several state of the art mats at different yardages.

The academy, part of a two-year plan by professionals Ryan Done and Trevor Newsham, was opened by Morecambe and Lunesdale MP David Morris who had supported the original grant bid.

Senior Tour professional Gary Wolstenholme also put on a short clinic as part of the opening.

Mr Morris said: “The new facility is an asset to Heysham Golf Club and to see how brilliant the facilities are in person after seeing the plans it shows how committed the club and its team are to making golf an accessible sport to all.”

The rest of the money was used on the club’s new Swing Lounge and indoor golf simulator which allows golfers to try their hand at playing 200 courses around the world using a new hi-tech moving mat.

Heysham Golf Club part funded the build along with Clubfit Golf who obtained the simulator and run the facility.

It was opened in February with the club’s Challenge and European Tour golfer Jack Senior hitting the first shot. Since then approaching 1,000 golfers have been through the doors.