Golf Dome set for North-East

A new golf facility will be at the heart of an ambitious 7.5m leisure complex in the north-east of England, where PGA professional Craig Donaldson has been tasked with managing the project.

The centre, close to golf hotbeds Seaton Carew and Hartlepool, will be based around three giant Sport Domes – shipped in from the USA - the brainchild of local entrepreneur Brian Morton, whose other business interests include bars and hotels.

“This will have a massive ‘wow’ factor when the domes are in place,” says 39-year-old Donaldson, who reveals the centre is due to open to coincide with the 2012 Olympics.

The golf dome, comprises four golf simulators, a pitching area, indoor driving range and a nine-hole putting course. There's also an outdoor ‘tri-golf’ pitch and putt course for children.

“We’ll be looking for a team of golf professionals to come in and do the coaching and I’ll be doing the leg work to drive the business,” he says.

Talks are already advanced to create links with Hartlepool and Seaton Carew Golf Clubs.

“The way golf has evolved over the past few years it has taken a lot of bottle to go out there and see the bigger picture and to build something on the back of golf,” adds Donaldson. “I can see how this could be rolled out across the country and open the game up for everyone.”

The complex will also be home to six indoor five-a-side football pitches, an 80-station gymnasium, steam room and function room. There's also the provision for a third dome to potentially be an ice rink.

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