Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies visited Rhyl Golf Club to learn more about their exciting plans for the future and spoke in support of their ambition to build the UK's first carbon neutral golf club.
In 2021, the future of the well-used club was in jeopardy due to the needs of the sea defence programme and the Awel Y Mor windfarm construction. However, both have now been managed so as to allow Rhyl’s only golf course to remain for the foreseeable future, and now the club is planning a major reinvention of the popular landmark.
Following James' visit, Mike Pritchard, Rhyl Golf Club spokesperson, said:
“We had the great pleasure of recently meeting Dr James Davies, our Vale of Clwyd MP, to explain the plans for the future of Rhyl Golf Club. Our ambitious programme, presented to James, sees the innovative reinvention of the club; accommodating the new Sea Defence scheme which will protect many hundreds of houses and residents from future tidal flooding as well as still allowing the golf club (the oldest golf club in North Wales) to continue to play for the foreseeable future.
"In addition, we aim to rebuild the UK’s first carbon neutral golf club - by making it energy self-sufficient and also water self-sufficient too.
"We have been able to negotiate, with Denbighshire County Council, a compromise that satisfies all parties. Importantly, Rhyl keeps one of the few remaining leisure and community focal points.
"James has been a close observer and supporter of the story of our testing times, leading up his visit. It is essential that our local and national representatives understand the impact of potentially losing such an established and important part of the fabric of the area, and I’m pleased to say that James has always been available and shown a keen interest in the clubs continued existence - we thank him greatly.”
James said:
"It was a really worry for the club and its members when its future was in jeopardy last year. This is a long-established club, and its loss to the town would have been huge.
"I was therefore delighted when a compromise was found which satisfies everyone, particularly as it has provided the club with the opportunity to build a new club that will have a zero-carbon footprint.
"The club will be leading the way in Wales and possibly the UK, with the first self-sufficient energy and water programme for any golf club, which is quite remarkable.
“It was very useful to catch-up with Mike and others at the club to find out more about this and other plans for the Golf Club.
"I hope the development progresses well and I look forward to revisiting at the various stages and on completion.