Aldwickbury Park Golf Club welcomed more than 100 members and distinguished guests, including current mayor Annie Brewster, to the grand opening of its newly extended events space.

Completion of the £750,000 build at Aldwickbury Park, which is part of BGL Golf, the UK’s leading course owner and operator, has increased the Harpenden-based club’s events capacity to accommodate groups of more than 200 in the newly created Fenwick-Ames Suite.

Guests at the evening event, staged on Thursday, May 8, were among the first to view the new function space, which lends itself to a variety of events and occasions from weddings to corporate events and private dinners to cocktail parties.

Mayor Brewster, an advocate of the project since laying a brick in the foundations in December 2013, officially opened the spacious new function rooms. She commented: “For one of the more affluent areas of the UK, there is a relatively small number of venues of this size and quality.

“The enhanced space at Aldwickbury Park will allow for greater engagement with the community and presents many exciting opportunities for individuals and businesses, from across the District, to stage a variety of events here.”

The investment also includes a significant refurbishment of the existing lounge bar, a comfortable retreat for golfers, with views of the picturesque Park Course, which was designed by former Ryder Cup player and BBC commentator, Ken Brown.

Also including a terrace overlooking the 18th green, guests were invited to take part in a unique charity chipping challenge, to help fundraise for the captain’s charity, Get Kids Going, which provides equipment to disabled children to help them participate in sport.

In exchange for a donation to the worthy cause, participants were required to play a short shot over a lake, with a chance of winning £5,000 if they could hole their chip. Although wearing unusual golfing attire – high heels and her chain of office – Mayor Brewster gamely took part, helping to raise more than £300 for the worthy cause.

Club captain Steve Lee said: “It’s rewarding to be part of a progressive golf club, which constantly strives to improve itself for the benefit of its members and guests. I would like to thank everyone who joined us for the evening’s entertainment and donated to our chosen charity for 2014.”

Andrew Shewbridge, the club’s general manager, added: “The ongoing development of Aldwickbury Park is important for driving the business forwards and ensuring we continue to deliver the high standards our members and guests from across the region have become accustomed to.

“It was pleasing to welcome so many friendly faces to the grand opening, and I look forward to welcoming many more with our greater capacity for staging events.”

To find out more about Aldwickbury Park Golf Club visit www.aldwickburyparkgolfclub.co.uk, call 01582 760112 or follow on Twitter @aldwickburygolf.