Express & Star

Staffordshire golf club expanding to make way for HS2

An historic golf club which was threatened with closure due to HS2 has started redevelopment work.

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President Andrew Gomez, captain Richard Harding with MD Construction of J Tomlinson.Darroch Baker. Photo: Whittington Heath Golf Club

Whittington Heath Golf Club, near Lichfield, is due to undertake a complete overhaul of the course and facilities later this month.

It came after it was revealed the club is to get sliced in half by the rail project, with the line running through the course.

However, the Government has agreed a deal to pay for the major redevelopment of the course.

The work will see a new clubhouse, greenkeeper’s compound, halfway house, five new holes, a practice range, a new car park, ancillary features, a new access road, and the reworking of five existing holes.

It is expected to be completed by 2020, with the access road and car park expected to be ready by June.

J Tomlinson will dovetail with the club's course contractors, Greasley's to ensure work is taken effectively.

Refurbishment, maintenance and construction services provider, J Tomlinson, has been chosen as the lead contractor.

Richard Harding, captain of Whittington Heath Golf Club, said: “We are pleased to have appointed J Tomlinson to help create a new, sustainable future for our club.

"We are delighted to see so many visitors coming to see how the new club and course are being developed.

"Come and join us – you are all very welcome.”

The club is expected to remain open throughout the project.

Darroch Baker, construction director at J Tomlinson, said: “The redevelopment of such a prominent golf club is a very exciting project and we are thrilled to be a part of it.

“We look forward to working closely with the club and the project team to deliver new state-of-the-art facilities that are in keeping with the club’s intricate history.”