A NEW nine-hole golf course for families is to open in Bolton.

Regent Park Golf Club, in Links Lane, Lostock, has received a “six-figure funding package” to build the course.

The company will use the funding to develop a nine-hole course aimed at families, due to open this spring, and also plans to increase staff numbers from 18 to 22 in the coming months.

The new appointments will include a professional, bringing the number based at the club to four, as well as greenkeeping and clubhouse staff.

A new pro-shop will open to cater for the club’s growing number of members and visitors.

This will also allow the popular junior teaching academy to increase its capacity.

Robin Day, Regent Park Golf Ltd director, said: “We are pleased to again be in a position where our members and visitors can look forward to seeing further significant investment at their club.

“The traditional joining fee and membership business model is no longer viable for golf clubs, so we have adapted over the years and are seeing the benefits of that approach.

"More people are playing Regent Park and that figure will increase further with the opening of our new family course in the spring.”

The municipal course, originally opened in 1922, is regarded as one of the best pay and play courses in the region.

Since taking over the course from Bolton Council 10 years ago, Regent Park Golf Ltd has already invested more than £2 million in improving facilities.

This includes the relocation of five holes earlier this year, to improve drainage, and the creation of a new path around the front nine holes to allow players to use buggies all year round.

The club also boasts a 20-bay, automated driving range and recently refurbished 5,000 sq ft clubhouse with bar and catering facilities.

Sean Williams, head of Yorkshire Bank’s Business and Private Banking Centre in Bolton, which provided the loan to the club, said: “Regent Park Golf Club is a great community facility which is doing a great job of encouraging locals, particularly young people, to get involved in golf and sport.

“Economic conditions have been challenging for golf clubs in recent years but Robin and his team have navigated those challenges well and Regent Park Golf Club is thriving.”