A new 18-hole championship golf course in Northumberland will open for the first time this weekend.
The luxury country hotel, spa and golf estate, Matfen Hall, will welcome guests to The Douglas at Matfen Hall from Friday, June 26.
Matfen Hall is the only five-star country estate in Northumberland.
The launch marks a major milestone in a wider transformation of the estate’s golf facilities, following a multi-million-pound investment.
James Huntly, head of marketing at Matfen Hall, said: "It’s been a long time in the making and we have had to be patient with the Northumbrian weather as we waited for the new greens to grow in, but finally we are ready to open The Douglas at Matfen Hall and The Himalayas.
"The Douglas officially launches on June 27 and we already have a booked-out competition that day but we will be welcoming everyone from June 28 and we can’t wait for people to come in, see it and play the course for themselves.
"We’re sure it will be a huge hit with golfers of all abilities, from amateurs right through to professional players looking for a new challenge.
"We’re also very excited about the opening of The Himalayas.
"It will be something that the hotel guests can enjoy but for serious golfers, it will also be a nice place to spend time and get some extra practice.
"These openings mark the start of what is set to be a very busy year for Matfen Hall, as we follow with the full opening of the new golf estate in the coming months and of course, the opening of our new, state-of-the-art spa later in the year."
The Douglas at Matfen Hall has been developed over many months and is designed to challenge and inspire players of all abilities.
Named in honour of the estate’s heritage, the course blends nine newly designed greens with the traditional character of the original layout.
It features dry stone walls, natural water hazards, and the River Pont, making for a picturesque and demanding round of golf.
Eight new greens have been created on the former Douglas course, with an additional new green on the Standing Stone course.
The two have now been combined to form The Douglas, while the separate nine-hole Dewlaw course remains unchanged.
Matfen Hall Golf Club members will get an early look at the course during an exclusive preview day on Friday, June 26.
The following day, The Douglas will host a sold-out invitational event, though a small number of visitor tee times remain available for Saturday afternoon.
Celebrations will continue on Sunday, June 28, with the opening of The Himalayas Putting Green.
Located beside the main country house, the putting green will be open to guests and visitors.
Entry costs £5, which includes a premium branded ball and entry into competitions throughout the day.
The launch of both The Douglas and The Himalayas is part of a wider renovation of Matfen Hall’s golf facilities.
More developments are planned in the coming months, including a new 15-bay driving range featuring Toptracer technology and a Power Tee system, set to open later this summer.
Other additions will include an 18-hole academy putting course connected to the driving range via a café and retail shop, as well as a short game practice area and a par-three course.
For more information, visit matfenhall.com/golf.
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