Thursday August 2, 2018
After many years of extensive redevelopment work, Caddington Golf Club in the Chiltern Hills reopened to the public on Monday the 9th of July.
The club, located minutes away from the M1 on Chaul End Road in rural Caddington, near Luton, has been completely transformed, resulting in a re-modelled course with a challenging 27 holes – including a 9-hole academy/practice facility. The course has newly constructed greens, tees, undulating fairways, bunkers and water hazards, upgrading it to USGA standards.
The 140-acre site was acquired by McGee, land engineering specialists, in 2008, with the aim of making a substantial investment to make the necessary upgrades to existing facilities, bringing the club in line with recognised standards for golf, and to compete with other venues in the area.
The immense project has involved architect Johnathan Gaunt, who has built more than 40 golf courses throughout Europe, Africa and North America, and golf course shaper Ian Futcher, who has worked across the globe on golf course developments.
Club spokesman Ryan McGee said:
“Reopening the grounds was great news for the local community. There has been a lot of people asking when we plan to reopen the club, and we are delighted to welcome everyone back. Caddington Golf Club bridges the gap between corporate-run and private membership only clubs, as it offers anyone to ‘pay and play’ here. People can turn up at the course, book online or phone the club.”
The site will also cater for those who prefer a kick about, as Caddington now has a 9-hole ‘footgolf’ course, designed for the youngsters to have fun while adults play golf nearby.
Head greenkeeper Adam Henderson said:
“The footgolf course adds another dimension – if parents want to play golf, children can enjoy footgolf, which combines football and golf skills, using your feet to get a football into holes the size of a bucket using only your feet.”
A chipping area will also open shortly, aimed at providing a recreational facility for local schools, beginners and people wanting to practice their short game.
The redevelopment has not only created a beautiful landscape for its customers but a fantastic home for wildlife. As part of McGee’s commitment to the environment and sustainability, the redevelopment has included providing wildlife habitats, and the planting of more than 6,000 trees, including oak, hornbeam, hazel and wild cherry, along with other plants and wildflowers.
For more information please visit Caddington’s website