Visitors to one of the top tourist attractions in South Wales will find a greatly improved golf course thanks to a £102,644 grant from the Ryder Cup Wales Legacy Fund.
The nine-hole course is set amongst the stunning scenery of the Gnoll Country Park, just outside Neath, which has been shortlisted as one of the best picnic spots in Wales.
Following these changes, visitors will be able to earn their picnic by playing on the newly improved course and there are also ambitious plans in place to develop junior golf in the area thanks to the new-look facilities which were opened by First Minister, Carwyn Jones.
Ages 7-16 are being specially targeted, with much improved links into schools and clubs, with the involvement of women and girls a key priority of the social inclusion and coaching education programmes.
The Gnoll Country Park is a well established and popular attraction for local residents and tourists alike, but now golf will play a more central role with five new greens on a course that has been redesigned and renovated to make it even more enjoyable and user-friendly.
“Golf has always been an important activity in the park and this new facility will help the development of golf throughout the borough and attract new players to the game. Well designed public golf courses that are well maintained are hugely important in making the game more accessible to new golfers and especially to youngsters” explained Ryder Cup Wales Chairman, John Jermine.
“As well as improving the tees and greens, the nine-hole course has been redesigned to make it more suitable for beginners, juniors and social golfers. The average hole on the new course is just less than 130 yards long and will give everybody a fair test that they will really enjoy.
“Wales has some of the best players, and courses, in the world and we have used our Legacy Fund, established and financed by the Welsh Assembly Government, to widen the appeal of the game by providing good quality facilities for golfers at all levels, and all ages, across the country.”
Entry is free to the Gnoll Country Park that encompasses an 18th century landscaped garden that still retains many of its original features, including the impressive Gnoll Cascades.
First Minister Carwyn Jones is pleased to be opening such a major contribution to The Ryder Cup’s legacy.
“The Ryder Cup will have a massive impact on Wales in so many ways, but few in a better setting than the Gnoll Country Park,” he said.
“This is one of the top tourist attractions in the area and now it will have golf much more at the heart of it, which shows our commitment to improving the game at all levels and in all areas of Wales.”
Ali Thomas, Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, said:
“The Ryder Cup is a major coup for Wales and I am really pleased that the Gnoll is playing its part in what is set to be one of Wales’ biggest sporting events. The new golf course will offer excellent opportunities for families and sporting enthusiasts to get active and enjoy what is fast becoming a very popular sport in Wales.
“This is another example of the authority working in partnership to enhance its facilities both for residents and visitors to Neath Port Talbot.”
