The R&A has revealed the name of its brand new golf concept that will open in Glasgow next summer
Golf It! will be its new community-based golf and entertainment facility located on the south bank of Hogganfield Loch, following the redevelopment of Lethamhill golf course. The vast new indoor and outdoor attraction is a new innovation and marks a significant financial investment by The R&A towards its purpose of making golf more accessible and inclusive.
Family-friendly formats
The new facility will feature a range of introductory golf formats including a twist on pitch and putt, adventure golf and community putting greens plus a double decker floodlit driving range and a new look 9 hole course for all the family to play. These will sit alongside other attractions and activities such as padel tennis courts, nature trails, bike hire and street food-style dining and drinks area.The state-of-the-art development is set to create more than 100 jobs and offer a range of apprenticeships that will boost employment opportunities for those living locally.
Building the dream
Greenspan Projects are proud to be working with the R&A’s Golf It! on such an exciting new venture. As part of the overall project, we are delivering three adventure golf courses for Golf It! and can’t wait to see the positive impact this venue will have on transcending the game and introducing it to communities who may not have had access to It before.
On the collaboration, Golf It! said:
“We want to thank our partners who are building dreams, and making our vision a reality in Glasgow’s East End. With the help of Scott Macpherson Golf Design, Carrick Sports, Greenspan Projects Ltd and IMG we are transforming Lethamhill Golf Course into a world-class facility that all the family can enjoy. At Golf It! we are creating something very special, where every chip, putt, smile and laugh has come from the hard work of our partners and more.”
Ambition for golf
Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “Golf It! is an ambitious project and fantastic opportunity for residents of Glasgow and visitors to the city to be introduced to the sport in a welcoming, inclusive and enjoyable environment. The range of features at Golf It! makes this a destination like no other. We want this to be a place where everyone from this great city and further afield can feel at home. “Golf It! will enable people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to be a part of a community-driven facility that levels the playing field and provides new pathways into golf. It marks a significant commitment by The R&A to re-establish the sport’s roots in the heart of Scotland and take golf into communities that may never have seen it as a viable, family-friendly activity before. In that regard, we want Golf It! to be an exemplar format for working hand in hand with the communities it serves. We are excited about getting the facility ready for its opening next summer.”
Partner support
Golf It! has already won the backing of a range of delivery and community partners, which includes Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Life, Heritage Lottery Fund, Scottish Golf, Golf Foundation, Active Schools Network, GEO Foundation, Toro, Acushnet, Scottish Power, Sweetspot.io and Adidas. Community partner, St Paul’s Youth Forum is a youth project in Provanmill that aims to provide opportunities for young people across the East End of Glasgow. Young people from the project and local schools have planted a Community Orchard within the golf course and will be running On Bikes, a youth-focused bike charity which delivers free bike access on site. Neil Young, Youth Team Leader at St Paul’s Youth Forum, commended the move by The R&A to include opportunities that bring young people in the area closer together as part of Golf It!, “This isn’t just a centre for golf, it will become the beating heart of this part of Glasgow, pumping investment into the community and creating opportunities for young people. “With training opportunities and an exciting education pathway at St Paul’s Youth Forum, we’re confident that Golf It! is going to be a facility the whole community can access and feel very proud of.”
To find out more about Golf It! please click here.
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