Pitlochry Golf Club in Scotland has secured public support for the development of new facilities aimed at helping the club to produce top level golfers.

Pitlochry, the home club of Ryder Cup player John Panton and Walker Cupper Cecil Bloice, has agreed a package with SportScotland, the country’s national agency for sport, to support the development of a £200,000 centre of excellence, incorporating a practice facility and a nine hole academy course. The existing second hole on the course, which was originally designed by Willie Fernie, is to be moved to accommodate the new development.

Scottish golf architect Ronnie Lumsden has designed the new facilities. Lumsden’s plan calls for an existing ditch to be diverted and reconstructed as a natural-looking stream, and for a series of wildlife corridors and wetlands to be created, with the aim of improving both the course’s aesthetics and its environmental impact.

“This will bring people to the area, helping the local economy,” said club director Richard Drummond. “With so many promising young players coming through here, too, the standard of golf at junior level will improve greatly.”