27-05-2025
Golf club opens new holes after years of development
An Isle of Wight golf club has opened new holes after years of development.
Westridge Golf Centre and Club, in Ryde, has opened nine new holes on its course, which were first planned in the late 2000s.
The new holes were opened by Lord Brabazon, who also opened the original course in 1993.
The club said the development of the new holes was delayed by planning, environmental surveys, changes in contractors, and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Celebratory competition follows unveiling of Westridge's long-awaited new holes (Image: Westridge Golf Club) The club said the pandemic worked to the course's advantage and work started in haste.
The fairways were topsoiled in mid-2022, but the weather intervened.
Initially too dry to seed, heavy rain in early autumn 2022 caused a lot of damage, washing away some topsoil and basic structure.
Repairs continued and seeding took place in 2023, but the weather continued to cause issues with sub-ideal growing conditions for the new grass.
Late 2024 was pencilled in for opening the new holes, but the grass was still struggling.
So finally, Lord Brabazon, who also opened the slightly more famous course at the Belfry, stood again to hit an opening shot at Westridge and recognise all the hard work by the Westridge Golf Centre team to achieve this milestone.
A 12-hole competition followed, playing all the holes available before three old holes are closed as part of the continuing redevelopment.
Members and guests, totalling 87, took part in a shotgun start, with the best two Stableford scores from each team counting towards the final result.
Winning on 62 points were Jill Prouten, Malcolm Prouten, Roger Merrifield, and Shelagh Merrifield.
The Sunday saw a charity competition, the Susan Mew Trophy, take place.
Sponsored by Cherry Godfrey with Leslies Motors, there was a hole-in-one contest, with a car as the prize.
Unfortunately, no one achieved one.
With another strong field, 88 members and guests, playing the course, the competition was won by Louise Webb, Shelagh Merrifield, Jacky Cook, and Claire Matejowsky with 96 points.
Just over £1,300 was raised for the Mountbatten Hospice.
