Gullane members vote in favour of £1.8m clubhouse

By MARTIN DEMPSTER
Published on 01/03/2013 01:22

GULLANE Golf Club is to press ahead with a £1.8 million ­clubhouse refurbishment after members approved the project at a special general meeting.

It was held in the Brunton Theatre in Musselburgh, where a vote on the proposed work on the historic members’ clubhouse resulted in a 70 per cent majority in favour. In addition to boasting the biggest membership in the Lothians, Gullane brings in close to £1m in visitor green fees each year and the work has been described as a “highly important investment”.

The refurbishment, which will start in just over a year’s time and take 12 months to complete, is the first major work to be carried on the property, which was built in 1928. On the ground floor, it will see the construction of a new entrance to the rear of the building, refurbished changing rooms and an open reception area.

The first floor will be extended with a completely refurbished and enlarged kitchen, with the bar being relocated from the ground to the first floor to have both bar and catering on the same level with views out over the courses. Disabled access and facilities are encompassed within the build.

“The construction will be undertaken in complete sympathy with the existing architecture and finishes in the current clubhouse but, at the same time, bringing the building into the 21st century,” said a club statement. “This development will improve the facilities for members, their guests and visitors, bringing the clubhouse facilities more into line with its championship golf facilities and enable the club to be in a position to maybe host a competition like the Curtis Cup sometime in the future. This is therefore thought to be a highly important investment in the future of this 
historical club.”