Melton Mowbray Town Estate

Pitch and Putt: Melton Mowbray Town Estate launches its newly-extended golf course

From the Melton Times

Fancy yourself as a budding Tiger Woods or Ernie Els? Or do you just hanker after a sociable round of golf with a group of friends?

The new-look Asfordby Road Golf Course is unveiled by Melton Mowbray Town Estate on Good Friday and is designed to help both the keen golfing student and the enthusiastic novice.

Course owners Melton Town Estate has created six new holes and will now provide a regulation 18-hole round of pitch and putt golf.

The course, which previously consisted of 12 par-three holes, has seen all existing holes improved with two lengthened to par fours to suit big-hitters.

The longest hole on the course now measures around 200 yards, while the other par four is around 160 yards.

Despite all of the extra work involved in changing the facility, the course will be closed for just one day on Thursday before its big re-launch the following day.

The launch is the first part of what is hoped will be a big revamp of the Asfordby Road Sports Ground facilities.

Golfers have been using the facility since it was created from a farmer's field in the mid-1970s and it has remained almost unchanged since.

The Town Estate felt it was time for a change. Town Bailiff Andrew Cooper explained: "This is the start of developing that whole area because it has been like that for years and years and now we want to take it forward.

"There has been lots of work cutting the greens, re-organising the fairways and bringing the other paraphernalia up-to-date.

"When it is complete, we will be looking to develop it some more. Other things are in the pipeline."
The land to create the area cost £70,000 and the course now employs up to seven people to look after both the course and its customers.

Mr Cooper said: "It is not a huge money maker, but it is good for the people of Melton which is really what the Town Estate is for. We are not in it to make big sums of money."

Prospective golfers can be put off trying the game because they feel intimidated by the protocol and standards of players at a conventional club.

But a pitch and putt provides the perfect environment for those keen to take their first steps on the golfing ladder.

Mr Cooper said: "The idea is that it's a place where you can go and acquire some golf skills which in the future you can take to an actual club.

"It is also for those people who want to try golf in a relaxed and informal surround¬ings, but are too daunted to go to a golf club."

Course owners are also hoping television coverage of last weekend's US Masters will inspire people to go out for a couple of hours of golf.

Mr Cooper added: "We see an increase in people using the course when the Ryder Cup or the Masters is on. People seem to get the golfing bug."

Clubs are available for hire and there is also a kiosk selling refreshments.

The course opens from 9am until dusk all year round. It is open to everyone, regardless of standard or experience and there is no need to book.

A round costs £5.00 for adults and £3.00 for children.

For more information, ring (01664) 567846.

Pitching in: Melton Mowbray Town Estate's Ken Saunders (left) and John Southerington get ready to tackle the new-look Asfordby Road Golf Course PHOTO: JH 040706-006