Published at 10:31, Saturday, 03 July 2010

A NEW crazy golf course is set to draw more tourists to a South Cumbrian community.

The course, on Grange Promenade, has obstacles based around local landmarks and points of interest, such as Cartmel Priory and the Grange clock tower.

The nine-hole course, based opposite the old Lido swimming pool on a disused basketball course, was officially opened on Thursday.

Course designer Robin LeMare said: “It seemed suitable to feature the local areas. The original design was to start at one point with each hole representing a route all the way around the peninsula, from Grange to Humphrey Head, Humphrey Head to Cartmel.

“At times it was getting a bit too complicated so we just thought we would put in some snookered ones too.”

The course was built, installed and opened in two months.

The £6,000 project became a reality thanks to grants from Grange Neighbourhood Forum, the Hatfield Trust and Cumbria Community Forum.

Grange town councillor, Ron Shapland helped to co-ordinate the project.

He said: “We thought, this place is disused and it won’t be being used again, so we will make use of it.

“I think it will fit in well.

“We have had a lot of interest as we have been doing it.

“People have been going past, asking what it’s for and saying ‘Oh, my grandchildren will love that, when can we start?’

“One person has been clamouring to get on the course already. I think it will take off very well.

“We have sent out fliers to the people of Grange and I think people will want to come down and use it.

“We have all really enjoyed making it.

“That has been part of the fun.

“We have had to do it all this way, because to buy a new crazy golf course would have cost up to £20,000. Ours was only around £6,000. We hope that people will enjoy it and get a lot of fun out of it. That is what we want.”

The course is about a 10 minute walk along the promenade, from the Main Street car park underpass. As the Clare House Lane Bridge is due to return this year, access for next season will be greatly improved.

Grange Mayor, Cllr Tom Harvey said: “The sooner we get our bridge back, the better. We should be looking towards the end of the year. Having this back, it will really increase the take up of use of these facilities.

“The more people realise what we have got down here, the more people will use it. I don’t think enough people are aware of what is actually available at this end of the Promenade, so the more people that do become aware, more people will be coming down which is fantastic.”

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