£7.5m Investment For Close House

Apr 1 2009 The Journal

North East entrepreneur Graham Wylie has announced approval of plans for a £7.5 million development project at Close House Hotel and Golf Course - with work starting immediately on a state-of-the-art clubhouse, a new championship golf course and a golf academy. The ambitious plans will ensure Close House's position among the very best courses in the whole of the North.

And in these days of doom and gloom and rising unemployment, the good news is that in the short term, approximately 100 jobs will be created throughout the construction stage and in the long term, 30 staff will be employed full-time along with further work for casual staff.

Margaret Fay, chairman of regional development agency One North East said: "Such a significant tourism investment is testimony to the importance and potential of the visitor economy within North East England. It represents the faith investors have in our visitor product, people and region - in spite of these challenging economic times.

"Developments such as Close House are hugely important and positive for the North East, both in relation to the jobs it will create and in encouraging more visitors to the region."

In August 2004, the Close House mansion and golf course, together with the estate, were purchased by Graham from Newcastle University.

Since then, in excess of £14 million has been invested, developing Close House into one of the most sought after venues in the North East of England.

Following an extensive refurbishment, the mansion was re-opened in March 2005 offering everything you would expect from what is basically a 5 star facility.

Bewickes Restaurant is superb; there are excellent conference, meeting and private dining facilities and luxurious accommodation.

In June 2007, the current golf course with 18 new USGA specification greens, four new holes and tee boxes opened for play.

Graham said: "The boys here have been very good at developing the existing course, which is not a long course but is a tricky course, enjoyable to play and one of the better courses in the North East.

"We have acquired a lot of land from a local farmer, about 200 acres in total, and we now have these ambitious plans to build a much better golf course.

"We did not want to build a course like the one we already have and others in the region - we want to build something very special and hopefully, it will be quite spectacular.

"So in two or three years' time we will have two golf courses, a new clubhouse, a driving range and academy and with additional rooms being added to the hall, a lovely 40-bedroom hotel."

These are exciting times for Graham, his management team and the staff at Close House.

Golf Operations Manager John Glendinning said: "The future is very exciting for this magnificent hotel and golf club. To bring the existing course up to this standard has been very exciting.

"The new developments will bring a great deal of interest into the region and will compliment what we currently offer."

The second golf course, designed by Turner Macpherson Golf Design, is to be created in the style of English Golf course architect Harry Colt, who was responsible for the likes of Wentworth, Royal Portrush and Sunningdale to name but a few.

Measuring 6841 yards from the championship tees, the new course will consist of 11 par 4s, four par 3s, three par 5s and will have a par of 71.

Already, a great deal of time and energy has been spent routing the new course around the grounds of Close House so members and visitors will get to appreciate the many historic features of the site including the stone walls, ancient monuments, the woodlands and the Ice Lake.

It is anticipated that the new course - aptly named 'The Colt' - will open for play in spring 2011 and in the not so distant future, be considered as a venue for a significant professional tournament.

The contemporary-designed clubhouse overlooking the Tyne Valley, will provide members and visitors with facilities including a reception area, pro-shop, ladies and men's locker rooms, a member's club storage room, a bar/restaurant and function room capable of holding up to 160 people.

The clubhouse is expected to be completed by Spring 2010.

The new golf academy is due to open late Summer 2009 and will consist of ten indoor bays, five outdoor bays, a grassed teeing area, dedicated teaching video bay, a high-tech custom fitting centre and a café providing drinks and light snacks.

This building will also act as a halfway house for the new championship course.

Newly appointed Head Teaching Professional Jonathan Lupton said: "This is an incredible opportunity for me. I think the plans look fantastic and we have already started going out into the community and will be coaching youngsters from the age of five right through to Tour stars.

"With us being so close to the A1 and Newcastle International Airport, Close House Golf Academy has the potential to become the envy of a lot of clubs throughout the country."

Following his retirement as Managing Director of Sage, Graham Wylie remains a great believer in continued investment in the region.

He is still involved with many regional businesses, continuing to head the Technology Services Group and is one of the North East's wealthiest men.

Besides golf, horse racing is another sport close to his heart.

He has invested in thoroughbred horses and a stud - his horse Ingles Drever made history recently, winning the Cheltenham World Hurdle for the third time.

Graham Wylie's dream of transforming Close House into one of the finest hotel and golf resorts in the North of England are about to become a reality.