One golfer said it was the worst course he’s ever played on
The course has faced a decline in condition and popularity in recent years(Image: John Myers)
A golf course run by the Celtic Manor has deteriorated massively with one regular now deeming the course “unplayable”. The greens haven’t been watered with no grass left leaving them cracked and unplayable, and there is often dog waste and litter on the fairways
In 2015, the Celtic Manor took over the running of Caerleon Golf Course, a move which was supposed to bring “new investment and specialist management” to the course which has been an integral part of Newport since it opened in 1976 as the first municipal course in Wales.
Golfers have reported poorly maintained greens and neglected fairways(Image: John Myers)
Julian Jones, 55, from St Julians in Newport, has been playing at the course since he was 18 and he believes it is a vital place in Newport for young and new golfers to go and play, as well as more experienced players.
Nowadays Julian plays golf every Sunday with his friends, usually frequenting Caerleon. Never miss a Newport story by subscribing to our newsletter here.
However, following the recent decline of the course Julian has now said he will not be returning despite having played there for over 35 years. “It’s the worst course I’ve ever played by a country mile,” he added.
Julian explained that since the Celtic Manor took over the day-to-day upkeep from Newport City Council, things have worsened and in his opinion it is no longer worth going there.
He said: “Caerleon has been a municipal golf course since the late 70s and it was always a good place for people to start playing golf and for regular golf players too. It was always in good condition but since Celtic took over it’s just been dismissed, disregarded, it’s unkept and the greens are just not watered at all with no intention to upkeep that golf course.”
“The greens are unplayable, there is not a bit of grass on them at all. Yes we have had hot weather but golf courses account for that.”
Julian said the only green left on the golfing greens was from weeds(Image: Julian Jones)
The state of the course on Saturday, August 16(Image: Julian Jones)
“It’s infuriating to me, I’m like a lot of other people, I started off playing there and have since carried on playing golf. I feel we’re doing an injustice to golf and to the younger generation as well.”
The Celtic Manor said the unprecedented drought weather had dried up their natural irrigation resources at the golf club, made worse by maintenance issues in the system. They also conceded that it was difficult to prevent “irresponsible dog walkers” from accessing the site.
A spokesperson for the Celtic Collection said: “Like all golf courses in the United Kingdom, Caerleon Golf Club is currently facing an acute challenge caused by the unprecedented drought weather this summer. So far this year, we have had less than 15 inches of total rainfall which equates to less than half the average rainfall that we have experienced in recent years to this point.
“These climate conditions have dried up the natural irrigation resource available at Caerleon Golf Club and the problem has been exacerbated by maintenance issues within the irrigation system installed before we acquired the lease to manage the facility.
“While the greenkeeping team are taking steps to address the current condition of the greens, the course is currently being played by dozens of golfers every day with minimal negative feedback from visitors.
“Caerleon Golf Club is not a public right of way but it is difficult to prevent irresponsible dog walkers from accessing parts of the course, particularly at night and early in the morning.”
The Celtic Collection said the course’s natural irrigation resources had dried up during this summer’s drought(Image: John Myers)
Julian compared the course to Llanyrafon Golf Course which he said had been in a terrible state before new private investors took over the course and transformed it meaning golfers now need to book in order to play there.
He added: “I’m not expecting a Championship course but it’s totally unplayable and it seems to be getting worse.”
Julian also stressed that the only other option in Newport was to play at the Celtic Manor where a round of nine holes will set you back substantially more.
