In an unprecedented development that threatens the integrity of one of Wales’ oldest golf courses, Holyhead Golf Club has been forced to temporarily close its 18th hole following a successful complaint from a neighbouring property owner about stray golf balls.
The 113-year-old club, located on the Isle of Anglesey, received the mandate from Anglesey County Council, which cited health and safety concerns after a homeowner provided evidence of golf balls repeatedly landing on their property adjacent to the course’s final hole.
“This news came completely out of the blue,” said a club spokesperson. “The prospect of becoming a 17-hole course is simply unthinkable for us.” The par-4 finishing hole must remain closed until the club can implement necessary safety measures, creating an urgent challenge for the historic institution.
The solution proposed by the club involves a significant reconstruction project, estimated at £75,000, to redesign both the 18th and 8th greens. However, this substantial financial burden has caught the club off guard. “No golf club can simply produce £75,000 out of nowhere,” the spokesperson explained. “While we’re deeply disappointed, we acknowledge we have no choice but to comply with the council’s decision.”
Anglesey County Council’s Public Protection team issued the improvement notice under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. A council spokesperson emphasized their statutory obligation to protect both golf course users and the general public, stating that their Environmental Health officers are maintaining close cooperation with the club throughout this process.
In response to this challenge, Holyhead Golf Club has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help finance the necessary modifications. While the total project cost is estimated at £75,000, the club has set an initial crowdfunding target of £10,000, of which they have already secured over £7,500 in donations.
The club has set an ambitious deadline of May 1, 2025, to complete the renovations and restore the course to its full 18-hole layout. “Our goal is to implement these changes as quickly as possible while ensuring they meet all safety requirements,” the club stated on their fundraising page.
This situation highlights the growing challenges faced by traditional golf courses as residential development increasingly encroaches on their boundaries, forcing clubs to adapt their facilities to modern safety standards while preserving their historic character.
