Close House won the Junior Golf Programme of the Year prize at the 2024 Golf Course Awards.
The Northumberland venue – which was also nominated for the Emerging Golf Course of the Year prize – was honoured for its work in developing young golfers with a pathway of coaching and events ranging from introductory programmes in local schools to the annual Junior Masters tournament.
Sir Graham Wylie, owner of Close House, said: “It is fantastic that Close House continues to be recognised among the leading golf clubs in the country. Since the Lee Westwood Colt Course opened in 2011, we have achieved so much as a club. We remain committed to investing in our facilities and look forward to hosting more exciting events at Close House. I’m particularly proud of the Junior Masters, a legacy project from the 2017 British Masters – the first European Tour event we hosted. This initiative has introduced thousands of schoolchildren to golf and inspired hundreds of junior players to develop their potential.”
“The Junior Masters project has always been a huge focus for me and the team at Close House,” added managing director Jonathan Lupton. “We were proud to be nominated as a finalist amongst many other leading golf courses. We were delighted to win the award, and we can’t wait to display the trophy in the clubhouse. Plans are already in place to continue the growth of the Junior Masters next season.”
The Golf Course Awards honoured venues across Great Britain and Ireland, with winners determined by a panel of judges. Finalists gathered at an awards ceremony at The Shard in London, where 12 awards were presented.
On Close House, judge Dan Walker said: “We all felt that juniors were absolutely central to the club, and given prominence in a way you rarely see at a course of this standard. Growing golf in the North East of England, especially for juniors, is at the core of everything Close House does. The instruction is first-rate, and juniors are encouraged to get out on the courses as early and as often as possible – they are worthy winners of Junior Golf Programme of the Year.”
The 12 award winners at the 2024 Golf Course Awards were:
Inclusivity Award – Golf It! Glasgow
Practice Facility of the Year – Sigmoid HQ
Golf Resort of the Year – Adare Manor
Junior Golf Programme of the Year – Close House
Sustainability Award – Carnoustie
Short Course of the Year – Sunningdale Heath
Emerging Course of the Year – Dumbarnie Links
Ireland: Golf Course of the Year – The Colt Championship Links at County Sligo
Wales: Golf Course of the Year – Pyle & Kenfig
Scotland: Golf Course of the Year – Old Course at St Andrews
England: Golf Course of the Year – Worplesdon
Great Britain & Ireland Golf Course of the Year – Worplesdon