Revamp for city golf course

THE City of Ely Golf Club is marking its 50th year by undergoing an ambitious upgrade to ensure it retains its place as one of the most challenging courses in the region.

Golf

Forty years after Henry Cotton and Alex Swan extended Ely City’s original nine hole course to the full 18, the course is set for another revamp, with a member of the second generation of the Swan family, Howard working on the first phase of the renovation to revise the bunkering to the course on nine holes.

Mr Swan said “I am delighted to be able to return to the course with which my father had so much to do in the late 60s and 70s and to be able to bring it up to date and revise its layout for the future. Hand in hand with the club’s contractor and greenkeeping staff, we are giving the course a real transformation which I hope members and visitors alike will find exciting and see just what a wow factor is being brought to Ely City.”

The first phase of work will be concluded by the end of the month, ready for play next spring. A second phase is anticipated to commence in autumn 2012.

Tom Munt, the club’s general manager, said: “I am delighted that in the club’s 50th year we are able to continue in the spirit of the club’s founders who built and developed this golf course from nothing. The vision and commitment of the committee and members of the club, with the professional support of Swan Golf Designs, our contractors and a passionate group of staff will ensure that Ely City Golf Course remains the place to play in Cambridgeshire.”