Pitch and Putt Golf Course Opens in Sandy Ground

A nine hole pitch and putt golf course was opened last weekend at Sandy Ground, opposite to the Roadwell Café that is to be the club house. Governor Peter Johnstone teed off the first ball to declare the course open.

Chairman of the Anguilla Golf Association (AGA) Malcolm Hope-Ross said that the Association started in 2001 with a small number of residents interested in the game. He says the pitch and putt course is ideal for beginners as it will introduce them to the fundamentals of golf, the short game, putting and golf etiquette. He expressed thanks to Mr and Mrs John Andrews and Mr and Mrs Rita Kinsey for the use of the land that was originally part of the estate of the late Arthur Romney Carty of North Hill. He also thanked John and Diana Lloyd for agreeing to the Roadwell Café as the Club House where green fees will be received and balls and clubs can be bought or rented. It will also be an ideal location for refreshments for the players.

The course consists of nine holes ranging in length from 90 yards to 35 yards. All that will be required is two clubs, a wedge and a putter. So far two greens have been placed with artificial grass. The Association is looking for sponsors in order to complete the greens. Sponsorship to date has come from Anguilla Rums, Caribbean Commercial Bank, Arawak Energy, Albert Lake, Anglec and Cap Juluca. Mr Hope-Ross expressed his thanks to the sponsors for their generosity. He also thanked the Governor and Mrs Johnstone for hosting the opening ceremony and the Governor for his enthusiasm for the new course.

The new Pitch and Putt course is open to everyone. It will cost US$10.00 per person for any number of games on a single day plus the cost of ball and club rental. Members of the AGA will only pay EC$10.00 and membership is US$20.00 per year so the chairman pointed out that it is worth becoming a member.

Attending the opening were Deputy Governor, Mark Capes, Minister of Finance, Victor Banks, elected member for Road North, Edison Baird, sponsors, members of the AGA and others in the Sandy Ground community. Guests were invited to watch a demonstration using the net by Chester Walden and then to sample putting on the new green. Refreshments followed at the Roadwell Café.

The Pitch and Putt course is seen as an ideal opportunity for residents and visitors, both golfers and beginners, to enjoy the game in the pleasant surroundings of the new course at Sandy Ground.