Sport Aberdeen can confirm that the MacKenzie Championship Golf course at Hazlehead Park is to reopen on April 20th (weather permitting), and Golf Aberdeen members can make course bookings from Monday 16th April.

Alistair Robertson, Sport Aberdeen’s Managing Director announced the news, saying: “During the winter we have been doing all we can to prepare all the courses in the city for the golfing season. We have not been helped by the weather, however conditions are improving and we are pleased that the MacKenzie course will again be open for play.”

Sport Aberdeen, which manages the course on behalf of the City Council, also announced that it will be making significant investment to tackle long-standing drainage problems on the MacKenzie course and that this work will commence later in the year.

Robertson added: “in recent months our top priority has been the MacKenzie Championship course and we have been working with Hazlehead Golf Club, our golf committee and golfers to plan a way forward. We have also engaged professional advisers, renowned industry experts and specialist drainage consultants to help find the best value for money solution.

“After careful consideration, we can confirm that we are committed to a detailed programme of drainage and improvement works that will commence in July this year. This is when the weather is dryer and ground conditions are much more favourable which will necessitate the course being closed to give the contractor maximum ease of access and avoid health & safety risks.

“We are also going to leave the course closed for the remainder of 2018. It is important that we protect the investment we are making and allow the ground to recover, improved areas to establish and new growth bed in. This will also provide our maintenance contractor with the opportunity to do other essential works. Our partners at Aberdeen City Council will also undertake a strategic tree management programme to complement all we are doing.”

Sport Aberdeen is committed to creating opportunities, inspiring people and changing lives through sport and physical activity.