Turner is happy new course is a picture

Nov 20 2007 by Richard Williamson, Liverpool Daily Post

RECORD-BREAKING golfer Glenn Turner is delighted to see the first highly visible signs of progress at his latest project on Merseyside.

The man who played his way into the Guinness Book of Records after playing 383 different 18-hole courses in a single year in aid of charity is now turning his attentions to developing the area’s latest golf venue.

Turner is Director of Golf at the North West National Golf and Country Club, which is taking shape on 200 acres of land owned by Lord Derby between St Helens and Rainford.

The whole project, with a multi-million-pound price tag, is schedule to be completed by summer 2009 when the 18-hole championship course will be open.

Next year the associated 10- hole par three course, driving range and shop and Turner’s own swing academy should be available for use.

On the first phase of the scheme, Turner says it just needs nature to runs its course in adding the final growth to the 10-hole course while the building, which will house 28 indoor bays, will also go up during the winter before next May’s proposed opening. There will also be 20 grass bays at the driving range along with a bunker practice area, which, like the par three course, will be open to non-members.

Turner hopes to have four professionals working in the Glenn Turner Academy for the Natural Golf Swing.

At the moment thousands of tons of earth are being moved to sculpture the new course into shape – with the land being raised by several metres in places to provide the right contours to create a challenging inland test. A total of 22,000 trees will be planted to supplement the existing copses and gorse.

Eight ponds are being introduced to support the six natural water hazards on the course while Turner continues to tweak the design to extract the best from the site.

Large tee boxes are matched by huge greens to give Turner the opportunity to provide a variety of challenges.

“Given the size of the greens, we will be able to divide them in four and have four potential pin positions in each segment which gives us a lot of scope for variety,” he explained. “We will also be able to vary things on the tees.

“I have looked at the perspective of the holes from both the tees and the greens and hope to create some great driving holes as well as some memorable second shots into greens over water or sand, for example.”

Prospective members will be able to see the tests that await on several of the holes as the first four are the most advanced along with the 18th.

The par five 15th will approach the 600-yard mark while the greens, including a McKenzie on the 12th, will be to USPGA standard.

The par four first includes a drive out over water to a slight dog leg right, while on the second hole it will be the second shot that must beat the threat of water to find an ample green, nicely framed by trees.

Telephone wires and electricity cables are being moved underground to ensure the look of the course is right while it is hoped to top the 7,000 yard mark from the back tees.

In due course it is hoped the course will attract leading professional and amateur events, but Turner says that is not essential to the future strategy of the course.

“We want this to be a place where the members can enjoy a true golfing challenge on the course and top class facilities and service off it,” he added.

Memberships are now open, with the first 500 to sign up paying only the £1,000 club fees. Their next payment is not due until 12 months after the club formally opens. Around 60 golfers have already committed themselves to the new club.

Corporate deals are also available, which include four named players, tee times every day of the year, the ability to bring guests and sponsorship of one of the holes.

Says Turner: “We are hoping to deliver a club where everyone feels at home. We want the service standards of America and intend offering a caddy service and club cleaning as well as a buggy path. But we want it to have the feel of the Mediterranean mixed with the hospitality of the Irish.

“I am also very excited about the Academy and hope to build links with local schools. We are looking at a scheme to offer 12 scholarships a year which will help young golfers develop their potential.”

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