Ambitious proposals to redesign Lethamhill Golf Course and create a “fun and affordable” venue are set to begin this month with the new facility due to open to the public by summer 2023.
Ownership of the site is in the process of transferring from Glasgow City Council (GCC) to the Royal & Ancient, who will benefit from grant funding of more than £450,000 and £320,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the local authority respectively to help with the renovations.
The £200,000 sale of the public course was agreed by city councillors in September last year before the R&A unveiled its plans for a “fun and affordable” golf venue at Lethamhill.
It plans to invest £10m in a ‘Swing Zone’, which could include a pitch and putt course, floodlit driving range and indoor golf simulator.
Adventure golf, putting greens, a short-game area, a nine-hole course, a par three course and a 25-bay floodlit driving range are also included in the plans as are a new network of nature trails, open to the public, linking with Seven Lochs Wetland Park next door.
Grant funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund will be used to create a hub for information, while delivering a volunteering and training programme to improve heritage knowledge and the skills of local people.
It will also act as a reception area, office and additional storage space for equipment. A warehouse will also be developed at Seven Lochs and will act as a staff break room and will offer bicycle shelters.
The R&A will now seek authority from GCC to enter an occupancy agreement with them to redevelop the Lethamhill Golf Course and operate the facilities at Seven Lochs.
An update will be brought to the committee on Thursday.
