COATBRIDGE'S LOCHVIEW FAMILY GOLF CENTRE REOPENS

NEWS RELEASE
Golf fans have a million reasons to cheer now that Coatbridge ’s Lochview Family Golf Centre has reopened.
Jim McCae, Leader of North Lanarkshire Council, officially opened the new centre. He said: “Having played at golf here many times, man and boy, it is with great pleasure that I was asked to open Lochview Family Golf Centre and Golf Academy .
“Golf is a sport that can truly be enjoyed at any age and at any level and I know personally of the great work and national award-winning golf programmes that we have right here in North Lanarkshire, delivered through the army of volunteers that form the North Lanarkshire Golf Development Group.
“Lochview is not only golf facility, but also a vital community asset, open and available to everyone and I would encourage people to make use of and enjoy it. I know there also plans to run jogscotland and buggy fit programmes from here.”
Refurbishments include a state-of-the-art clubhouse for golfers and non-golfers alike. Upstairs in the “View Lounge”, people will enjoy a warm welcome and a wide range of food and drinks to choose from.
There’s also a function room with multimedia capabilities, for corporate meetings, visiting groups dining after a round and kids' parties.
Blane Dodds, Chief Executive of North Lanarkshire Leisure (NLL), said: “This fantastic new facility has taken 18 months of hard work to realise, but it’s been worth it. It’s a clear demonstration of the trust’s commitment to providing premium, affordable golf for all.”
Downstairs, a bright, welcoming reception and the refurbished ladies' and gents' locker rooms give you a true vision of the investments being made.
The challenging 18 holes of parkland golf now have the facilities to match them and offer the whole family a great day out.
Golfers can test themselves on the state-of-the-art golf simulator and choose to play one of the world’s great courses.
The 330yd driving range provides ample practice space for the most powerful of hitters while the refitted bays with new vibration dampening floor coverings offer comfortable surroundings to improve your game.
The investment has also encouraged PGA Professional Scott Clelland to join the premier golf coaching facility in the area.
He said: “The investments that NLL have made in the past eighteen months to golf are quite incredible. The opportunity I have here is massive and with the facilities available to me, including explanar and video analysis. I will be able to provide first class coaching from grass roots level all the way through to top level amateurs.”
“Our Junior Academy programme has proved to be an overwhelming success over the past 18 months and we now have over a hundred pupils learning the game from PGA-qualified professionals and coaches.
“However, that’s just the start, both Lochview and Palacerigg Golf facilities have the capability of providing quality coaching to more than two hundred every week and that is my aim.”
Phase 2 of the project will begin this year, thanks especially to the funders, SportScotland, the Royal and Ancient and Viridor who share our passion and vision for golf. This vital Phase 2 funding package will allow us to put in place a new par-3 junior golf course, extensive improvements to the driving range, including two raised target greens, two new bunkers at the putting practice area and extensive course and drainage improvement works.
NLL’s commitment to golf isn’t limited to Lochview. The trust also manages Palacerigg golf course in Cumbernauld, where a major drainage programme has dramatically improved the playing conditions. The development was overseen by Golf Manager Stephen Hogg.
Both facilities are available for individual and visiting parties seven days a week and individual packages for catering, coaching and simulator hire can be provided on request.
For more information, contact Scott Clelland PGA Professional Golf Development Lochview Family Golf Centre on 01236 632400.