Mersey Life March 2022 | Page 15

MAYOR OF SEFTON SWUNG INTO ACTION TO OFFICIALLY OPEN BOOTLE ’ S NEW DRIVING RANGE

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MAYOR OF SEFTON SWUNG INTO ACTION TO OFFICIALLY OPEN BOOTLE ’ S NEW DRIVING RANGE
Sefton Council hosted an event to celebrate the official launch of the new driving range at Bootle Golf Course .
Mayor of Sefton , Cllr Clare Louise Carragher was joined by pupils from nearby Litherland Moss Primary and Litherland High School and the Council ’ s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing , Cllr Ian Moncur , to help the new facility swing into action .
Since its opening at the end of January , the 10-bay Bootle Golf Course driving range has proven popular with local players and newcomers to the game . Last week 18,750 balls were sold and 36 under 16s took part in the recent half-term offer of a free bucket of balls .
Speaking at Monday ’ s event , the Mayor of Sefton , said : “ We proudly describe Sefton as the centre of England ’ s Golf Coast , and it is wonderful to see the Council continue to develop our sports offering and promote fit and healthy lifestyles .
“ The new driving range will mean golfers , both new and experienced , in Sefton will be able to practise all year round .”
For many of the local pupils , Monday was an opportunity to try out the sport for the first time . There were smiles aplenty and air shots all round .
Cllr Moncur , Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing , said : “ As a Council , we have a firm commitment to investment in sports facilities for all of our residents .
“ We are fortunate in our Borough to have a wide range of opportunities for golfers and now we hope the new driving range will provide many more people with a chance to try golf and take it up as a sport .
“ A huge thank you to Green Sefton for their hard work in delivering and managing the fantastic new driving range facility .”
Sefton Council ’ s decision to build the new £ 420,000 floodlit driving range at Bootle Golf Course was backed by local people and course users during a consultation that took place in 2019 .
Players can use its 10-bays to practice their swing between 8am and 9pm Sunday to Friday and from 8am to 7pm on Saturdays . Prices are just £ 6 for 100 balls or £ 4 for 50 and people can just turn up to the course shop , pay and play .
Adult prices to play a round at Bootle Golf Course start at just £ 9 . Information about Sefton Council ’ s Bootle and Southport Links courses , including prices , can be found at www . sefton . gov . uk / golf .
People can also contact the Bootle Golf course office on 0151 928 1371 to book tee times .
At their meeting on Thursday 10th March , Sefton Council ’ s Cabinet gave the go-ahead for the Council ’ s Green Sefton team to seek a commercial partner to invest in its Southport Golf Links course .
Improvements for the course itself and the on-site White House Café building are included in the plans .
At the time Cllr Moncur said an investment partnership would enable the Council to achieve its huge , long-term potential and deliver the kind of course on which local golfers have said they would like to play . merseylife . com 15