GOLFERS have been celebrating the reopening of the storm-damaged 12th green at Aberdovey Golf Club.

The winter storms of January 2014 had devastated areas of the Cardigan Bay coastline including the green.

Fierce winds and waves washed away large swathes of the sand-dune system and about one third of the putting green and surrounding area.

The hole was removed from play, and in order to continue to provide 18 holes of testing golf, the 538-yard, par 13th hole was ‘divided’ to provide two new holes – a par 4 and par 3.

Economy Minister Ken Skates officially opened the new 12th green with some brief words to the many members gathered in the clubhouse.

He said: “It gives me great pleasure to see this iconic course restored to its former glory following the devastation caused by the storms of 2014.

“I’m sure that there are many visitors and locals who are looking forward to getting to grips with this challenging and stunning course in its full splendour.

“Golf tourism is extremely important to the Welsh economy and we’ve seen a 64 per cent increase in the volume of golf visitors to Wales since 2004.”

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