Whitby Golf Club has launched the largest fundraising campaign in its history as it begins work towards replacing the iconic bridge across Upgang Beck ravine.
The £300,000 bridge project aims to improve accessibility, support participation in golf, protect an important part of Whitby’s sporting heritage, and secure the long-term future of the golf course.
A bridge project display inside the clubhouse shows plans, illustrations and fundraising opportunities. The display explains how the new bridge will transform access across the course by safely accommodating golf club buggies and personal ride-on buggies, allowing more people to enjoy the full 18 holes regardless of age or mobility.
Whitby Golf Club operates as a Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC), and the bridge will be funded through a combination of donations, grants, corporate sponsorship and community fundraising.
The club’s bridge project lead, Ian Suckling, said: “This is far more than replacing a bridge, it’s about creating opportunities for people to continue enjoying golf throughout their lives, improving accessibility for those who rely on golf buggies, investing in young people, and ensuring Whitby Golf Club remains one of the most welcoming and inclusive sporting venues in Yorkshire. We hope the whole community will feel part of this journey.”
The club’s thriving junior section has been one of the driving forces behind the project – with participation in junior coaching and competitions rising, while the club has also hosted the Faldo Futures series for the first time.
The project is being delivered with the support of SHS Bridges & Structures, the specialist bridge division of Sarum Hardwood Structures, and BHD Design, who will work alongside a team of local businesses.
Environmental considerations have remained central throughout the project, with advice from Whitby Naturalists Society helping protect the important wildlife habitat surrounding Upgang Beck during the removal of the original bridge.
Subject to planning permission and the successful completion of fundraising, the club hopes construction can begin within the next 12 months.
The club is inviting local businesses, charitable trusts, community organisations and individuals to become part of the project through sponsorship, donations and fundraising initiatives. For further information or to discuss supporting the project, contact Ian Suckling on fundraising@whitbygolfclub.co.uk. The club has also setup a Crowdfunder campaign here.
