On course again

A RUN down pitch and putt course at a Portishead beauty spot is to get a new lease of life, thanks to a team of community minded golfers. The newly formed Portishead Lakeside Golf Club is working with North Somerset Council and the Lake Grounds concessionaire to help restore the course to national standards.The club, which launched last year and now has 14 members, plans to eventually use it for competitive games.Members of the club will pay a membership fee, which will be split between the concessionaire, running the club and the maintenance of the course.Club manager Arthur Howell said: "The pitch and putt has been there for many years and is used mostly at weekends. "It is a challenging nine holes but will need much attention to bring it up to a national competition standard. "This is going to take time and we will be offering to assist wherever possible. "Members are volunteering to help reduce the overall maintenance costs to the council and as a start are removing the old tee off mats ready for the new mats to be installed."At the moment the putting greens have a preponderous of weeds, that makes putting a real task, which hopefully we can also help to clear and we have a serious problem with flooding but there are suggestions of creating a pond to help it drain off."Our aim is to be more of a social club where people can come along and enjoy a relaxed and friendly game of pitch and putt or nine hole golf.""The course will still be open to the public and the club is encouraging younger members to help instil responsibility to the course and surrounding area."Mr Howell said the move to upgrade the course had been very well supported by North Somerset Council and Portishead and North Weston Town Council and it is hoped the course will be ready by the Spring. Anyone wanting more details of the PLGC or can help e-mail plgc@talktalk.net or leave a message on 02081445484.