BY next summer, Rockliffe Hall, Slaley Hall and Matfen Hall will have a serious rival in Close House. “The Close House vision is to create a golf destination in the North of England, which will offer the quality and service of resorts like Wentworth and Gleneagles giving North East golfers the best golfing experience in their own region.”

That’s what North East entrepreneur Graham Wylie said as the multi-million pound development at Heddon-on-the- Wall moves on apace.

“Being situated close to Newcastle city centre and international airport also means we are accessible for golfers from throughout the UK and internationally,” he added at the opening of the state-of-the-art academy and driving range at the Close House Hotel and Golf Club.

The new academy marks the completion of the first major phase of an £8m. investment. Phase two is a superb new clubhouse opening late spring next year prior to the jewel in the crown, the new Colt championship course designed by Scott MacPherson.

That opens next summer and will sit nicely alongside the current Filly course.

No expense has been spared in the new academy following painstaking research by Close House golf manager John Glendinning and his team.

It combines the very latest in golf technology in a contemporary and attractive environment with a driving range which has an automated teeing system with power tees . . . you don’t even have to bend down to put another ball on the tee!

Close House is also the first venue in the North East with Flightscope launch monitor – a system based on a missile tracking device. Golfers can see instant analysis of their ball in flight, and tuition technology includes Explanar, the Gasp Lab video system, and Forceplate, which is comparable to the Wii Fit Board monitoring how you balance your body.