A Scottish hyperlinks golf course that’s been named the second-best course on this planet by Golf Digest, is utilizing sustainability as a driver for progress because it prepares to open a brand new energy-efficient clubhouse.
Royal Dornoch Golf Membership in Sutherland might be traced again to 1616 with its membership formally shaped in 1877. Regardless of the a long time of historical past and custom, the enterprise is refreshing its providing to maintain up with client demand.
In-built 1908, the present clubhouse has been prolonged and refurbished a number of occasions through the years however in a bid to proceed offering its 2,400 members with high-quality amenities, a brand new multi-purpose sustainable area is being constructed subsequent to the primary tee.
The brand new 2,100 sq. m. constructing will characteristic 136 photo voltaic roof panels and embrace a battery power storage system to seize and retailer power, which might then be reused inside the enterprise. Underfloor heating and automatic lighting can even assist to scale back the membership’s power consumption. The area itself will improve by 50% and embrace new amenities for members, corresponding to a bar and restaurant, altering rooms, trolley storage and an workplace.
The enterprise secured a £5m funding bundle from Financial institution of Scotland to help the brand new sustainable measures through its Clear Development Finance Initiative (CFGI), a product designed to offer discounted lending in the direction of sustainable measures.
Whereas sustainability is on the coronary heart of the brand new constructing, a brand new archive room can be being created the place visitors can discover the historical past of what is likely one of the world’s oldest hyperlinks golf programs on this planet. At the moment, the enterprise is working to make sure all memorabilia – together with historic trophies and competitors particulars – are collated and enter into museum-based software program that visitors may have entry to throughout their go to.
Development of the brand new clubhouse is underway with a completion date set for June 2025, and the opening to members and guests in November 2025. Because of the bigger venue, the enterprise expects to rent three extra full-time workers and improve the variety of seasonal employees.
Neil Hampton, normal supervisor at Royal Dornoch Golf Membership, mentioned:“Royal Dornoch is usually named one of many most interesting golf programs on this planet. Whereas we’re about to have a good time our a hundred and fiftieth anniversary, it’s time to verify our amenities are as world-class as our Championship Course.
“Our present membership has modified quite a bit through the years, however we needed to create a brand new area for our visitors and membership members the place they will discover our historical past whereas having fun with a extra energy-efficient area.
“We have now a long-standing relationship with Financial institution of Scotland, so having their help to introduce these sustainable measures has been good. They understood that we needed to create someplace that doesn’t detract from the character and surrounding space right here within the Highlands but additionally that we need to be as power environment friendly as attainable.
“We stay up for opening the doorways subsequent yr to our spacious and environmentally pleasant clubhouse as we proceed to boost the general Royal Dornoch expertise for present and new members, visitors and guests for years to come back.”
Michael Thomson, relationship director at Financial institution of Scotland, mentioned: “We have now been very lucky to work with Royal Dornoch for over 40 years and help with their progress aspirations, together with their newest challenge involving the event of the brand new clubhouse.
“By deciding to place sustainability on the coronary heart of this challenge, Royal Dornoch joins a lot of our shoppers in embracing environmentally pleasant selections and decreasing their carbon footprint. The enterprise can even proceed to offer firstclass amenities to members and guests from internationally.”
