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Prestigious golf course set to re-open after eight months

One of the North-East’s premier golf courses is set to re-open next week after an eight-month closure due to financial problems.

Woodham Golf Club, in Newton Aycliffe, was shut down last November after its Irish owners, Washington Developments, put it into administration.

Originally designed by the highly-respected J Hamilton Stutt, a founding member of The British Association of Golf Course Architects, Woodham enjoyed a reputation as one of the North-East’s premier courses when it first opened in 1981.

But mounting financial difficulties led to closure last year, despite Washington Developments gaining planning permission for a £31m luxury hotel and housing development on the site.

The cash couldn’t be found to fund it, and estate agents Savills started marketing the course last November on behalf of administrators.

The new owners, local businessmen Neville and Stephen Hall, have spent the last two months getting the course and clubhouse back up to scratch.

Ernie Wilson, a PGA pro who looks after the course, said: “The owners were adamant that we only wanted to open it when the course was absolutely spot on and in the best possible condition.

“A tremendous amount of work has gone in to the course, including drainage and a lot of TLC on the greens, while there has also been a refurbishment of the club house and front entrances.

“It’s a new era for Woodham Golf Club and we can’t wait to open the doors again.”

The golf shop will be open from Friday (25th July), with the course opening the following Friday.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Martin Walker .