Royal Porthcawl, one of the oldest and most distinguished
clubs in Wales and the venue for next year’s Senior Open, has been named Golf
Club of the Year in the UK.
The south Wales club beat off the challenge of over 100
other clubs, including Sunningdale, Wentworth and Ganton to win this
prestigious award.
“Porthcawl may be in its 122nd year but the club
shows no sign of aging” Caroline Scoular, head of the judges, said. “Maintaining
traditions while securing a healthy future is tough for all clubs these days.
It is a very fine balance and this is something that Royal Porthcawl clearly
recognises.
Scoular added: “The judges were looking for a club which
manages to combine traditional standards with forward thinking strategies,
encouraging new followers as well as ensuring that existing members are looked
after and securing a healthy future for both the club and golf in the UK.”
More than 500 people attended the 2013 Club Awards at the
Palace Hotel, Manchester, organised and run by Club Mirror magazine. It was the
21st year of the staging of the awards which recognise sports and
social clubs around the United Kingdom. Wentworth and Celtic Manor are previous
winners of the Golf Club of the Year award.
“This is really good news for Royal Porthcawl golf club on
two counts” Tony Lewis, the immediate past captain and a former chairman of the
Wales Tourist Board, said. “Tourism is vitally important to Wales and the Welsh
Government recognise this. Awards such as this one remind the Welsh Government
that we are a forward-looking club that does want to host tournaments and
emphasize our position in the world of golf.
And the second reason why this award brings me particular pleasure is
that it confirms my hope, expressed when I was captain, that no one should leave
this club having had a disappointing experience.”
Royal Porthcawl was conferred with royal status in 1909. It
has held the Amateur Championship on six occasions and will do so again in
2016, the 1995 Walker Cup, the Coral Classic, a European Tour event, in the early nineteen eighties, the 1964 Curtis Cup, the British Masters in
1961 and the amateur Home Internationals. In March 2010 it hosted the Varsity
match when Oxford defeated Cambridge
9-6. It is hosting the Senior Open for
the first time in 2014.
Further information: Michael Newland, secretary Royal
Porthcawl golf club, 01656 782251.
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