Northern Ireland

First driving range in Ireland with `cutting edge interactive technology' coming to west Belfast

Colin Glen Chief Executive, Colin O'Neill; Councillor Seanna Walsh; DAERA Leader and Rural Tourism Implementation Manager, Gareth Evans and David Raymond, Chairman of Colin Glen Trust with young golfers, Fionn Dobbin and Annabelle Wilson. Picture by Stephen Davison
Colin Glen Chief Executive, Colin O'Neill; Councillor Seanna Walsh; DAERA Leader and Rural Tourism Implementation Manager, Gareth Evans and David Raymond, Chairman of Colin Glen Trust with young golfers, Fionn Dobbin and Annabelle Wilson. Picture by S Colin Glen Chief Executive, Colin O'Neill; Councillor Seanna Walsh; DAERA Leader and Rural Tourism Implementation Manager, Gareth Evans and David Raymond, Chairman of Colin Glen Trust with young golfers, Fionn Dobbin and Annabelle Wilson. Picture by Stephen Davison

THE first golf driving range in Ireland to offer `cutting edge interactive technology' is to be built in west Belfast.

Almost £402,000 funding for the high-tech golf experience has been approved by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) for the Colin Glen Trust (CGT).

The new Top Tracer technology being installed at Colin Glen is the same as that used by the `Top Golf' driving range franchise currently gaining popularity in Britain and the US.

It allows users to access a wide range of swing and ball flight analysis and is also used by television broadcasters when covering major golf tournaments.

Belfast Lord Mayor Deirdre Hargey said it will be "a world class, state of the art, exciting and stimulating driving range capable of attracting national and international golfers, resulting in more visitors staying for longer and spending more in Belfast and the wider region".

It includes interactive ball tracking technology, TV screens, scoreboards, sound and lighting systems and Wi-Fi availability, allowing experienced golfers to improve their game and families and non-golfers to gain enjoyment too.

The grant is from the Rural Tourism Scheme and is the latest money provided to the trust to boost tourism and leisure facilities at the site.

CGT chief executive Colin O’Neill said "many new national and international visitors who will be drawn to this important part of the city".

"Being the first Top Tracer Interactive Golf Driving Range in Ireland will be a huge boost for local tourism," he added.