Wrexham firm takes over Garnant Golf Club
Acquiring the spectacular mountainside golf course at Garnant is “a dream come true” for Clay’s Golf.
The Wrexham-based company have taken on from Carmarthenshire Council a 25-year lease and subsidy to run and manage the golf course and clubhouse on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
They will be creating 10 new jobs.
Garnant’s 120-acre and 7,000 yard municipal golf course was created in the mid 1990s at a cost of almost £1million on land that was formerly part of the Garnant Opencast coal mine.
It has been described as the best municipal golf course in Wales with magnificent views of the Black and Betws Mountains from its clubhouse and fairways.
Because of the current economic climate, the authority undertook a review of all its leisure services and agreed Garnant Golf could be leased off to the best bidder who would ensure its future and development.
Clay’s 25-year lease, which was signed on September 1 (2011), has a reducing subsidy from £80,000 in each of the first two years to the authority to non-subsidy and a percentage income share from year six.
County executive board member for regeneration and leisure services Cllr Clive Scourfield said: “There have been several expressions of interest in this spectacular facility. We are delighted that Clay’s have succeeded. They have a magnificent pedigree in golf development from the centre they run in Wrexham.
County Council Deputy Leader and local member Councillor Kevin Madge said: “It was so important for us as a council after all the good work that has gone on at Garnant to have new caretakers who could bring expertise and take Garnant on to the next level that is not in our remit to deliver.
”I welcome Clay's and hope that the people of Garnant and Carmarthenshire support the Golf Club in this new venture. I am sure it will be a great success and will help promote to the wider community in the years to come.”
Clay’s Golf managing director Steve Williams said when he and his partner first visited Garnant they had been “blown away" by its magnificent setting on the edge of a national park.
“Our reputation is founded on the provision of great golf, excellent facilities, superb hospitality and a relaxed warm hospitality and we will be bringing all this to Garnant. It has spectacular potential.
He said: “It is a dream come true to have acquired Garnant. We have already started to put in place ambitious plans we have for its development both physically as a course and socially.
“The first stage is to develop the clubhouse and function rooms taking advantage of the unequalled vistas. We have Carlsberg Brewers on board and are developing a Sky Sports lounge for members and visitors.
“We have two chefs and aim to develop a reputation as a top venue for weddings and all kinds of functions at one of the best settings in West Wales.
“On the golf side there will be a range of affordable opportunities and anyone will be able to come along and play for as little as £7 a round and membership from £50 a year.
“We intend in the near future putting in planning for an additional five-hole par three pitch and putt to help develop schools and academy golf and a covered driving range that will be instrumental in giving everyone an opportunity to sample the sport.
“We have already been recognised by the Golf Union of Wales as a centre of excellence in Wrexham and will bring this commitment to enhancing and developing playing and practice facilities at Garnant for those new to golf and the experience player.
A new Garnant website is under construction but new and existing members can now book a tee-off time on line.
http://www.garnantgolfclub.co.uk/
http://www.claysgolf.co.uk/
The Wrexham-based company have taken on from Carmarthenshire Council a 25-year lease and subsidy to run and manage the golf course and clubhouse on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
They will be creating 10 new jobs.
Garnant’s 120-acre and 7,000 yard municipal golf course was created in the mid 1990s at a cost of almost £1million on land that was formerly part of the Garnant Opencast coal mine.
It has been described as the best municipal golf course in Wales with magnificent views of the Black and Betws Mountains from its clubhouse and fairways.
Because of the current economic climate, the authority undertook a review of all its leisure services and agreed Garnant Golf could be leased off to the best bidder who would ensure its future and development.
Clay’s 25-year lease, which was signed on September 1 (2011), has a reducing subsidy from £80,000 in each of the first two years to the authority to non-subsidy and a percentage income share from year six.
County executive board member for regeneration and leisure services Cllr Clive Scourfield said: “There have been several expressions of interest in this spectacular facility. We are delighted that Clay’s have succeeded. They have a magnificent pedigree in golf development from the centre they run in Wrexham.
County Council Deputy Leader and local member Councillor Kevin Madge said: “It was so important for us as a council after all the good work that has gone on at Garnant to have new caretakers who could bring expertise and take Garnant on to the next level that is not in our remit to deliver.
”I welcome Clay's and hope that the people of Garnant and Carmarthenshire support the Golf Club in this new venture. I am sure it will be a great success and will help promote to the wider community in the years to come.”
Clay’s Golf managing director Steve Williams said when he and his partner first visited Garnant they had been “blown away" by its magnificent setting on the edge of a national park.
“Our reputation is founded on the provision of great golf, excellent facilities, superb hospitality and a relaxed warm hospitality and we will be bringing all this to Garnant. It has spectacular potential.
He said: “It is a dream come true to have acquired Garnant. We have already started to put in place ambitious plans we have for its development both physically as a course and socially.
“The first stage is to develop the clubhouse and function rooms taking advantage of the unequalled vistas. We have Carlsberg Brewers on board and are developing a Sky Sports lounge for members and visitors.
“We have two chefs and aim to develop a reputation as a top venue for weddings and all kinds of functions at one of the best settings in West Wales.
“On the golf side there will be a range of affordable opportunities and anyone will be able to come along and play for as little as £7 a round and membership from £50 a year.
“We intend in the near future putting in planning for an additional five-hole par three pitch and putt to help develop schools and academy golf and a covered driving range that will be instrumental in giving everyone an opportunity to sample the sport.
“We have already been recognised by the Golf Union of Wales as a centre of excellence in Wrexham and will bring this commitment to enhancing and developing playing and practice facilities at Garnant for those new to golf and the experience player.
A new Garnant website is under construction but new and existing members can now book a tee-off time on line.
http://www.garnantgolfclub.co.uk/
http://www.claysgolf.co.uk/
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