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Over the years the course has seen many developments of new holes, re-designed holes, new greens, tees and bunkers.
In 1991, the Forestry Commission provided a grant to assist with the planting of some 6000 trees – unfortunately, due to poor planting, damage from the usual hazards of Golf and the prevailing ground conditions, many of the trees did not survive and the grant needed to be repaid in 1998.
Soak-aways were laid down throughout the years and in 1997 an irrigation system was installed by the commercial company, Turf
Irrigation, covering the 9-holes at a cost of some £42,000.
click drawing to view larger version
18-Holes
In 1992/3, a plan was considered to buy 2 adjacent fields (65 acres) from Mr A Thomas to be used for the development of a further 9-holes, providing an overall 18-hole course. The plan below shows the extent of the proposed development which was devised by Mr Billy Charlton. However, the Club did not have the funding for such a venture and approached the RAF Central Fund and Nuffield Trust to help fund the development. Unfortunately the bids were unsuccessful and the plans put on hold. Once again in 1998, the
Club revisited the plans and put forward for a Nuffield Trust Year 2000 Super Grant to fund the development, but this again was unsuccessful.
12-Holes
In parallel to the 18-hole course aspirations, the Club also looked to cheaper alternatives to course expansion In 1998, following the unwillingness of the MOD to recover other leased land from local civilian tenant, the Club paid £5,500 for the release of MOD land leased by a local farmer, Mr A Hammett. The deal was for Mr Hammett to release the land back to the MOD who would then allow the Golf Club tenancy for the purpose of developing a 12-hole course. The area was released and plans for the course are shown below. Unfortunately, once again due to a lack of funds and more prominently in 2000, the likelihood of the DARA moving to Rhoose airport and the uncertainty regarding St Athan’s future, the development got little further than basic clearing of the land.