Wrexham Golf Club has unveiled its new indoor putting and short game improvement area, and renovated women’s locker room, to the Welsh minister for sport, Jack Sargeant, and Wales Golf officials.
Wrexham GC was one of around 80 facilities in Wales which recently received funding to make golf easier and more pleasurable for women to play and / or work in.
“These are real changes all round Wales which will make a difference for women and girls who are already members of golf clubs, and help in attracting more to join in the future,” said Wales Golf chief executive Hannah McAllister.
“Clubs around Wales have really embraced the chance to make these improvements, and make golf a more inclusive and welcoming sport than everbefore.”
Jack Sargeant said: “When we welcomed the world’s best female golfers to AIG Women’s Open in Porthcawl last summer, we saw first-hand the excitement and inspiration that elite women’s sport brings to communities across Wales.
“Our £1 million Legacy Fund is having an impact at golf clubs throughout our nation. With a range of projects specifically considered with women and girls in mind, we’re removing barriers and opening doors for the next generation of Welsh golfers.
“We remain firmly committed to supporting women’s sport at every level. By investing in grassroots facilities today, we’re building on the momentum created in Porthcawl and giving more women and girls the opportunity to pick up a club, visit their local course, and discover a sport they can enjoy for life.”
Further examples of the deployment of the fund are as follows:
• Machynys, near Llanelli, has finished an all-weather short-game area, with work near completion on women’s toilets at the driving range, Parc near Cardiff has completed a multi-purpose fitness area, Glyn Abbey in West Wales has renovated the women’s locker rooms and developed an outdoor seating area.
• Aberystwyth, Pyle and Kenfig, Cardiff, Brynhill, Knighton, Glynhir, Neath, Mond Valley, Monmouthshire, Hawarden, Pontypridd, Pontardawe, Denbigh, Cardigan, Glynneath, St Deiniol and Holywell have all completed new toilet and changing facilities for women both on and off the courses. Mold have also completed their Swing and Snack Cabin.
• Work is finishing at Celtic Manor on a women and junior putting zone, Raglan’s on-course toilets and greenkeepers facility, and Bryn Meadows dedicated area for women and girls practice.
• Rolls of Monmouth, Swansea Bay, Anglesey, Flint, St Giles, Clyne, Radyr, St Mellons, Llanishen, are all completing improved women and girl’s locker rooms
• Maesdu, Southerndown, St Idloes, Pennard, Conwy, Dinas Powis, Bull Bay, Llantrisant and Pontyclun, are building on-course toilets, while Haverfordwest is finishing greenkeeping facilities and preparing a junior golf programme.
• Royal St David’s is starting work on the women’s locker room and on-course toilets after getting planning permission, while South Pembrokeshire is also just getting underway on renovating their women’s changing rooms.
