The original clubhouse building was constructed in the late 1980s from red brick with exposed steel columns and beams with a concrete tiled roof. The internal layout was quite fragmented with small unusable and inflexible areas. The carpark elevation was littered with air conditioning units and service areas which were detrimental to the ‘first impression’ given by the building and provide a poor outlook and use of the existing views across the golf course. The overall impression of the building was quite dark, dreary and somewhat tired. Not what you would expect of a quality sporting venue!
The challenge was to create a modern facility that was both functional and dynamic enough to attract a diverse range of users and therefore ensure the stability of the business and secure the future of the whole site. The provision of a quality sporting venue would increase membership.

The existing clubhouse provided facilities for the golf members and visitors and had also developed a customer base for the bistro and as a wedding venue. It was therefore important to maintain availability to these users throughout the development. Several options were investigated, including demolition and relocation within the site. The existing building was close to the 18th green with poorly utilised views of the golf course. It was determined that the best course of action would be to refurbish and extend the existing building and keep the facilities open.

The aim of the extension was to provide an enhanced aspect from the entrance elevation and prepare the user for the experience to be had within and maximise the views across the golf course. The use of a semi-circular wall flanking the main entrance provides a grand processional way which adds drama to the entrance for weddings and functions and turns what was the back of the building into the front.

The use of split faced Northumberland buff sandstone with sawn faced quoins and copings has brought cohesion to the design. The curved wall straddles the entrance ramp to the first floor function rooms and leads to the bistro entrance on one side and the golfers’ entrance to the other. The use of stone continues across the front of the spike bar with a dwarf wall forming a terraced seating area overlooking the putting green.

To the north is a curved stone stair providing golfers with access to one of the functions rooms at first floor level. The golfers’ entrance is characterised with the use of cedar boarding to provide a separate identity to that of other users.

Stone steps up from the carpark form the processional route along the entrance ramp. The entrance ramp is faced with stone with copings to match. This enhances the users experience and provides a grand entrance for wedding arrivals. The heavy front utilising traditional materials is a reference to the grandeur of old Halls and Manor houses and contrasts sharply with the more 21st century approach utilising Glass and zinc which are a feature of the building overlooking the golf course.

The windows have powder-coated aluminium frames with argon filled double glazed units with frameless glass balconies providing a wide panoramic view of the landscape and utilising as much natural daylight as possible. The zinc cladding and natural slate roof finish off the elevation.
The internal layout has undergone a complete metamorphosis from dark, fragmented rooms into bright, clean open plan facilities providing a welcoming family atmosphere with corporate standards of excellence across a wide range of activities.

The changing rooms, services, kitchens and wc facilities are located within the semi-circular extension with all the client areas overlooking the golf course.
The ground floor contains the golfers’ entrance, changing rooms, spike bar and Scullery with the open kitchen being the key ingredient in providing a lively and vibrant atmosphere that’s a real pleasure to experience. There is also a private dining room seating 36 overlooking the 18th green. The Scullery has an open terrace area overlooking a garden for children to play safely in view of their parents.

The multi-use function rooms on the first floor have an uninterrupted panoramic view of the golf course and surrounding landscape. Each room has a designated kitchen and bar designed to cater for 300 people. The dividing wall can be removed to provide one complete room with two bars and kitchens.
Future works include improvements to the access into the site from Southport road which will be developed with the introduction of signage walls framed with piers and a wall either side following the curve of the entrance road.

The site is disabled friendly with onsite parking and level access throughout.

The site now provides a wide range of facilities including:

• 18 hole Championship golf course on 135 acres and clubhouse
• Hospitality facilities include: function rooms and eating areas catering for 150 to 400 people. Weddings, christening and corporate dinners as well as dining facilities for visitors.
• Boardroom meeting facilities.
• Private dining room.
• Floodlit driving range with private practice booths including golf accessories shop, visitor changing rooms and offices.
• Fully equipped Leisure club and spa offering gym and relaxation facilities, swimming pool, and sauna and steam room. The leisure club bistro provides a wide range of healthy meals and snacks.
• Competition standard Crown Green Bowling green and pavilion.
• Angling facilities including 4.5 acre lake containing a variety of fish, including large carp over 20Ib in weight. The lake has wooden jetties providing easy access.
• The caravan Park is situated in 11 acres of attractive parkland providing 17 Residential Park homes, 52 holiday homes and 60 touring pitches. The Visit Britain Quality Assessment Scheme gives the Park a 4 star grading (Very Good). Under the AA Quality Assessment Scheme the park has a 3 star grading. The caravan park is open for 52 weeks a year.
• Car parking facilities
• Model boating area.
• Archery.