Huxley equipment for Taylor-designed Strawberry Hill

A golf course designed by a founding member of The PGA is to benefit from new practice facilities provided by PGA Official Supplier Huxley Golf.

Strawberry Hill Golf Club, which boasts a course designed by JH Taylor, secured funding for a Huxley Golf practice tee and two caged nets with mats through Sport England’s ‘Inspired Facilities Fund’.

The historic community club, which was opened in 1900, can now offer the same tournament quality all-weather facilities found at many of the most prestigious clubs in the world.

Opened by Vince Cable MP, centre, the new practice facilities have already proved popular with the club’s visitors, many of whom are new to the sport and attracted by the inclusivity and friendliness the club is famed for.

Despite mainly catering for those not yet ready to join an 18-hole golf course, Strawberry Hill offers a stern test, and it has recently been recognised as part of the London 2012 Olympic legacy.

Based over nine holes, it claims to be one of the shortest golf courses in the south east of England.

Donald Kerr, chairman of golf at Strawberry Hill, said: “We are immensely proud of our new practice facilities which will help ensure that we realise our vision of providing a real community service and encouraging greater participation in the sport.

“The club maintains a special focus on nurturing beginners and improvers and integrating them into its active and varied golf and social programmes so top-notch practice facilities are a must if we are to reach out to new budding golfers.

“Today our new practice area looks stunning and it’s being used exhaustively.

“The Club is attracting even more beginners but we have no concerns about wear and tear on the practice area which will undoubtedly only enhance our prospects of encouraging them to become members.” 

Barry Huxley, director of Huxley Golf, commented: “Our installation of practice tee and cages will not only benefit members, visitors and those starting out on their golfing journey, but it will also generate immediate and long-term savings in ground maintenance.

“This is important for a not-for-profit organisation like Strawberry Hill, and I hope that our work on this project will enable the Club to increase its appeal throughout the communities it serves.”

For more information on Huxley Golf, please visit www.huxleygolf.com.