MEMBERSHIP numbers at Forrester Park Golf Resort have rocketed throughout an “exceptional” year.

The Cairneyhill course has welcomed more than 200 new players onto the tee since lockdown but reported expansion plans are still a ‘fairway’ off.

Owner Robert Forrester said: “COVID has been horrible for everyone but it’s actually been an exceptionally good year for golf.

“I know some places have had a disastrous time but our membership has gone through the roof, lessons and the driving range are really busy and we’ve got a blossoming junior section too.

“It’s been fantastic.”

He continued: “Golf didn’t really stop during the pandemic, it’s continued right the way through.

“We’ve had a huge influx of younger golfers, 80 per cent of our membership is under the age of 50, which is really something.

“Since January, we’ve had 120 new members and over the past year we’ve added more than 200.”

A recent reported rise in popularity across the country may be partly down to the fact that, as golf was one of the first sports to be given the green light after lockdown, there were few alternative options for outdoor pursuits.

Golf clubs will be keen to ensure that interest is maintained after a decline in membership across Scotland – it fell by 47,000 to just over 170,000 between 2007 and 2017 – and a drive to get more people playing, especially families, females and children.

Mr Forrester said: “I don’t know how other golf clubs have done; I’ve heard some have been very busy and have done well too – it’d be interesting to find out – but golf was on its knees.

“Every club was declining and losing members, we didn’t lose numbers as such but there was a point we didn’t gain any either, so I’m really pleased with where we are now.”

Mr Forrester and Avant Homes tabled plans recently for 160 new houses on land opposite the golf course – the first phase saw 100 homes built.

The accompanying planning statement said land to the north of the housing site “will form a future expansion of the Forrester Park Golf Resort”.

Mr Forrester said there were no immediate plans for expansion and added: “It’s more reserving our position.

“At the end of the day, I’m not saying no and I’m not saying yes but it’s handy to have it included in the plans if and when we decide to do a bit more with the place.”

Back in 2009, he outlined an ambitious £65 million proposal which included a luxury five-star hotel, new nine-hole golf course, 140 houses, fishing loch, holiday chalets and an equestrian centre.

It didn’t get past the planning stage but ideas were reworked and new homes have been built at Pitdinnie, with more likely to be on the way.

Mr Forrester said: “As you know, I had plans years and years ago for the big hotel with 200 rooms and another nine-hole golf course etc.

“It didn’t go ahead but it’s always been at the back of our minds that we can expand if need be. That’s all this is.

“We’ve just worked away at it, mum, dad and myself, so we’ll see how everything progresses from here.”