£200,000 UPGRADE OF PITLOCHRY GOLF FACILITIES HAS STARTED

Left to right: Mark Pirie (PGA Professional), David Kearney (Clubhouse Manager), Stephen Carruthers (Director, Pitlochry Golf Ltd), Ronnie Lumsden (Golf Course Architect) and Eric Sammels of contractor, Edinburgh Landscapes, on-site at the course.

NEWS RELEASE

Work on the eagerly anticipated golf driving range and short game development at Pitlochry Golf Course has begun, with completion earmarked for late Spring 2013.

Diggers broke the turf last week and work will continue over the winter in order to provide the scenic course with the best golf facilities in Highland Perthshire.

The introduction of a seven-bay covered driving range and short game practice area is phase one of an expansive £200,000 Centre of Excellence vision at the course.

Directors secured funding from Sportscotland for the ambitious project and the overall long-term plan also includes an Academy course and alterations to the existing course.

Wetlands and wildlife corridors are incorporated into the design, which also provides new safe access for walkers.

The development is one of the biggest in the club's 103 year history and officials welcomed the excavators onto the site as stage one got underway.

Club professional Mark Pirie said: "This new facility will compliment the wonderful facilities which Pitlochry Golf already possesses.

“With a good winter hopefully ahead, the hard work will continue throughout the off season and everyone will be able to watch this new development grow

and come together for a spring 2013 opening.

“With the driving range and short game area open, and two PGA Professionals on site,

Pitlochry Golf hopes their vision will unearth the next Rory McIlroy or Carly Booth, as well as contributing generally to the sporting landscape of

Highland Perthshire."

When Perth and Kinross Council approved the plan, assessors noted the potential for the facility to produce the next generation of golfing protégés without players having to travel long distances to access similar facilities.

Pitlochry Golf Limited Director Stephen Carruthers said: "After a long time in the planning it is fantastic to see the project started and we can now offer our members and visitors a fantastic additional facility from spring 2013.  The completed project will rival any in Scotland and confirm Pitlochry as one of the country’s top golfing destinations as well as providing local youngsters with the opportunity to take up golf in the very best of surroundings.”

The club has 500 members at present, of which 60 are juniors, and was recently listed in Golf World magazine’s 14 Scottish Hidden Gems.

For More Information .

Web: http://www.pitlochrygolf.co.uk/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pitlochrygolf

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/PitlochryGolf

Additional Information 

• Pitlochry Golf Course was designed by famous golf architect of the day, Willie Fernie of Troon, in 1908 and opened in 1909.
• Famous names to play the course have been Harry Vardon, Walter Hagen, Max Faulkner, Bob Charles and John Panton.
• The course sits amidst spectacular highland Perthshire scenery, with excellent views over the Tummel Valley, Craigower and Ben Y Vrackie.
• Part of the course lies on a site of historic interest, with the outline of an ancient Pictish fort clearly visible.
• There is an abundance of roe deer, otters and birdlife nearby and the picturesque town of Pitlochry was once described as the ‘Switzerland of Scotland.’
• Pitlochry Golf Estate provides luxury 4-Star self-catering accommodation at Drumchorry Cottage and Upper Balghulan.

Press Release issued on behalf of Pitlochry Golf Course by Heartland Media and PR.

www.heartlandpr.co.uk