Lee Westwood opens new Close House Academy

Lee Westwood recently opened the new Close House Academy

Lee Westwood

Lee Westwood recently opened the new Close House Academy

Lee Westwood opens new Close House Academy

Close House has opened a new PGA Golf Academy, The Academy, which was officially opened by Close House European touring professional Lee Westwood, reflects the North-East venue’s continued dedication to offer the very best in golf tuition, practice facilities and custom fitting.

The academy’s facilities will include a floodlit driving range, designated long and short game practice areas, a SAM PuttLab analysis system and a high performance custom-fitting centre with the use the Flightscope ball-tracking radar system.

Robert Maxfield, joint Chief Operating Officer and Property and Commercial Director, said, “The new PGA Academy at Close House is a fantastic addition to the family of PGA branded golf academies and courses around the world, including The PGA’s headquarters at The Belfry and the PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles, the 2014 Ryder Cup venue.

“The Academy reinforces the relationship between The PGA and Close House, whose vision under Graham Wylie’s leadership is set to become one of the finest golf facilities in the UK.”

A team of PGA qualified Golf Professionals will be based on site to deliver all aspects of golf tuition, providing access to the latest technology in golf swing analysis, including the GASP Lab video system and the Explanar training system.

Lee Westwood

Close House owner, Graham Wylie, said, “This is an exciting new addition to the facilities here at Close House and means we are now able to offer the latest teaching technologies to those wanting to learn and improve.

“We are passionate about providing the best possible golfing experience for both our members and our visitors, and the opening of the new academy will enable our instructors to deliver tuition through the use of the very best facilities.”

The opening also coincided with the 5th annual Have a Heart charity golf event, which this year raised in excess of £350,000 for the Children’s Heart Unit Fund.

A host of celebrities from the worlds of racing, golf, television and sport played a round of golf on Close House’s much acclaimed Colt Course and then enjoyed a gala dinner and auction.

Thomas Patrick Clarke
Sports Digital Editor


Tom Clarke joined Golf Monthly as a sub editor in 2009 being promoted to content editor in 2012 and then senior content editor in 2014, before becoming Sports Digital Editor for the Sport Vertical within Future in 2022. Tom currently looks after all the digital products that Golf Monthly produce including Strategy and Content Planning for the website and social media - Tom also assists the Cycling, Football, Rugby and Marine titles at Future. Tom plays off 16 and lists Augusta National (name drop), Old Head and Le Touessrok as the favourite courses he has played. Tom is an avid viewer of all golf content with a particularly in depth knowledge of the pro tour.