Yesterday (Tuesday 20th July) saw the official launch of the Strathpeffer Spa Golf clubhouse after a four year, phased re-development.

This included the redevelopment of the clubhouse, the construction of a separate amenities building for the green-keeping staff and the creation of separate bays for storing top dressings and a wash bay for machinery.

The project was assisted by Ross and Cromarty Enterprise (RACE), with grants totalling £43,994.

RACE has also helped with the training and development programme of the club staff, including assisting with a summer placement for the club secretary, Gayle Anderson, while she was at university and supporting Callum Faulkner to successfully complete his SVQ 3 in sports horticulture.  They are now assisting green keeper Iain Gunn and Marc Grey on the same course.

The club decided to redevelop the club house and course facilities to improve standards for current users and visitors and to encourage new members to join the club and use the course.

The current membership of the club is 484, made up of gents, ladies, juniors and other non-playing categories.

It was recognised some years ago that the clubhouse was in a poor state of repair and that action was needed.  So a phased and prioritised plan was set in action to improve the facilities.

The different phases included the relocation of the club shop, the redevelopment of the ladies and the gent's locker rooms and toilets, the refurbishment of the serving area, kitchen and store room, the construction of a new entrance vestibule, the provision of an office and the refurbishment and re-arrangement of the lounge

These developments have made the clubhouse on one level with ramps allowing access to disabled people and the enlargement and redecoration of the lounge area provides a more customer friendly environment. 

Reg Holder from Strathpeffer Spa Golf Club, said: "The redevelopment has made a huge difference to the club facilities and we are very grateful to RACE for their support with this whole project.

"The work has led to improved views from the club house lounge so the 18th green and 1st tee is now visible from the windows.  There is also now sufficient space to allow us to create a no smoking area, to provide a nicer atmosphere for our members."

Commenting on the improvements Lindsay Campbell, a development manager with RACE, said: "This redevelopment has enhanced the facilities at the club for locals and visitors to the area and has allowed the club to conform to the latest requirements for providing facilities for green-keeping staff, while upgrading the environmental standards at the same time.

"RACE is very happy to have been able to assist with the project which I'm sure will help attract even more members to the club and provide more opportunities for people in the area to become involved in the sport."