Gary Orr unveils Vale of Leven Golf Club's £500k extension

Jul 10 2009 by Marc McLean, Lennox Herald (main ed)

TOP golfer Gary Orr officially unveiled the new-look Vale of Leven Golf Club on Tuesday after its £500,000 extension.

Helensburgh’s European Tour professional, who will be competing in the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond this weekend, as well as The Open at Turnberry next week, joined club officials to mark the local club’s special occasion.

Gary opened the new locker room and changing facilities, along with the new pro shop run by the club’s professional, Barry Campbell.

The new lockers in the changing facility were installed by Craftsman Lockers, who have also fitted lockers at some of the most prestigious clubs in Britain, including Turnberry, Gleneagles, Celtic Manor and Royal Troon.

This new facility now provides 650 lockers – enough for every gent and lady member – and various toilet and shower rooms.

Club administrator Richard Barclay said: “Gary was very impressed with the facilities and was great with the kids, chatting away and signing autographs.

“He played here when he was younger as his father used to be a member.

“We are delighted that every playing lady and gent member has a locker, and there are also 50 lockers available for our junior members.”

Vale of Leven, which has a proud 102-year history, has taken another step forward by also signing up to clubgolf to introduce the game to Primary 5 school children.

Colin Bell, regional manager for Clubgolf, said: “The clubgolf programme includes a six-week introduction to golf at 14 primary schools in West Dunbartonshire.

“Vale of Leven Golf Club has now committed to furthering the development of younger players through some volunteers and their club professional.

“Vale of Leven and Dumbarton are the first two clubs in West Dunbartonshire to take this programme on.”

Anne Laing has carried the club’s name through her achievements in golf which include Scottish Amateur Champion in 1996, 2003 and 2004, St Rule Champion 1996, British Mid Amateur Champion 2002, and she was also part of the Ladies Curtis Cup Team in 2004.

The club also boasts one of the best players in the county, Craig Checkley, who has won the Vale’s championship four times, Cardross Golf Club’s championship, and is the only player to ever win the county champion of champions three times in a row.

Anyone interested in joining the Vale of Leven Golf Club can contact Richard Barclay on 01389 752351.