World’s best golf holes recreated in Liverpool

Feb 27 2008 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

A GOLF course replicating some of the world's best par three holes is to be built in Liverpool.

UK Sports Park plc was yesterday granted planning permission to create a £10m family sports park in Childwall Valley Road in Netherley.

The park will feature a nine-hole “pay as you play” par 3 course, featuring versions of some of the world’s best holes – including the 12th at Augusta, 8th at Troon and 17th at Sawgrass.

Leading golf course architects Weller Designs was commissioned to create the course.

The complex will also feature a crazy golf course, fishing lakes, a “trim trail” for runners and cyclists, and 11 all-weather floodlit football pitches.

It is estimated that the Liverpool Sports Park, on the site of the former Lee Manor high school, will create up to 150 jobs.

UK Sports Park said it will also work closely with the schools and universities that will enjoy off-peak usage.

Jonathan Snellgrove, co-director of Liverpool Sports Park plc, said: “The golf course, as with all of the components in the Liverpool Sports Park, will be a world-class facility.

“The angling lakes will be world competition standard and are being specially designed for us and the football pitches will be made from state-of-the art level 3 astroturf.

“My co-director, Chris Bennett, is Liverpool born and bred and I have a strong affinity with the city.

“The Merseyside region is blessed with some of the finest golf courses in the UK, although many cannot be played by ordinary golfers.

“The landscaping will reflect the character of the holes from which they were inspired.

“The links holes will therefore have a more natural, coastal feel and the parkland holes a manicured and ornamental feel.

“We would particularly like to thank Cllr Tom Marshall for his help and support for this scheme, and guiding us through the planning process.”

The school’s derelict sports hall, which was torched by yobs in 2006, would be refurbished and brought back into use.

Lee Manor high closed in 2000 and the site became a magnet for vandals and arsonists.

Which nine holes? > > > >