THE new operators of Sherdley Park Golf Club and driving range have spoken of their mission to make golf "accessible" in the town again.

The Star reported in June that Green Circle Estates Ltd, which manages numerous golf courses including Allerton Manor in Liverpool, has taken Sherdley on a 150-year lease bringing an end to uncertainty over the site's future.

The facilities are open to the public, with the course remaining available on a ‘pay and play’ basis.

Under the deal, Green Circle Estates will invest in refurbishment of the existing clubhouse; the introduction of adventure golf at the location; development of a new golf clubhouse with bars, restaurants and a conference and function suite; improved golf course facilities; provision of a golf academy and improved parking facilities.

The Star has been given a glimpse of the new-look driving range, which reopened two weeks ago, and of the course.

With Sherdley having been the only municipal course in the borough, there were fears raised of golf being less accessible to those who are not members of a private course.

But the new tenants have stresed that the facilities are available for all.

Director of golf Bryan Joelson-Mulhall said: "We want to undermine that perception of golf being elitist or inaccessible."

Bryan adds that large-scale improvement works are underway at the course.

"We are only scratching the surface so far, there is lots to come with the upgrades," he said.

"The main message is we want people to know it is open and that it is accessible.

"Sherdley and St Helens Golf Clubs are still here and play their competitions on a weekend.

"We just had the St Helens Open with 90 golfers from 14 different clubs coming down and we've had fantastic feedback from that."

Green Circle Estates added: “We are delighted to have been selected as St Helens operating partner and plan to make substantial investment to Sherdley Park Golf course as we have done with Allerton Manor golf club.

“Work is currently underway to completely refurbish the clubhouse.”

See sherdleyparkgolfcourse.com or contact golf@sherdleyparkgolfcourse.com, or call 01744 813149 for more.