Glendale Golf and the Royal Parks today announced plans for Glendale to invest £3.5 million into developing the existing golf facility at Richmond Park Golf Course, including a new landmark clubhouse building. The courses will be enhanced and will remain open to all on a ‘pay and play’ basis. There will be the added benefit of a new practice range and an academy golf course.

The proposed clubhouse will, subject to planning permission, be located at Chohole Gate. The building, designed by eminent architects, Edward Cullinan & Associates, will blend with the surrounding parkland and is sympathetic to the landscape. It has been designed to be sustainable using natural ventilation and daylight as much as possible. Environmental measures will cover aspects of the building systems, water management, materials and landscaping. Ornamental planting around the clubhouse and car park with drought tolerant species will improve the look and be in keeping with the rural character of the course.

The two existing ‘Dukes’ & ‘Princes’ golf courses will be redesigned yet will retain the unique character of the original Hawtree design. Play will be reversed from its current starting position to begin at the new clubhouse; circulation for players (as well as health & safety) will be much improved by the new layout.

The golf facility has been designed to be accessible to all. Wheelchair uses will have an option to exchange a conventional wheelchair for an outdoor type for mixed surfaces. The Academy golf course and driving range have been designed to enable children, wheelchair users and people with disabilities to play and practice golf.

Nick Temple-Heald, Glendale’s Managing Director, said: “This is a very exciting time for Glendale Golf. As the largest Green service provider in the country Glendale is committed to Richmond Park and we’re delighted to make this investment to improve the golf course and construct a landmark building, which will create world-class facilities to match the two fantastic golf courses for all the golfers at Richmond Park. The plans for the new clubhouse are underpinned by sustainable and environmental designs and reflect the magnificent and historic setting that this landmark building will be set within.”

Glendale Golf has also signed a contract to extend their partnership with Royal Parks for an additional 20 years. Mark Camley, Chief Executive, The Royal Parks, comments: “This is an excellent development which will deliver better golfing facilities in the unique setting of Richmond Park. There will be major investment and long-term improvements for what is already one of the best pay and play facilities in the south east. I am particularly excited about the golf development programme, which will improve access to golf in the park for a wider range of people.”

To find out more about the progress of the development, or to comment upon it, see www.royalparks.gov.uk/parks/richmond_park/.

For more information on Glendale Golf, please log onto www.glendale-golf.com.

Richmond Park, in south west London covers, almost 1000 hectares (2500 acres). As the largest Royal Park, it contains woodlands, ponds, gardens, hills and grasslands set amongst ancient trees. It is home to around 650 free roaming deer and offers facilities for kiting, biking, horse riding, fishing and wildlife watching.

The new clubhouse will be located at Chohole Gate between the path edge to the former Hyde Park nursery and the A3 boundary woodland

For further press information, interviews or images, please contact Cassandra Jephcott at Nelson Bostock on 0207 792 7455 or email: cassandra.jephcott@nelsonbostock.com.

For information on The Royal Parks, contact the Press Office on 020 7298 2128 or email kmurray@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk.