THE future of Rhyl Golf Club has been safeguarded.

Earlier this year, members felt battened down and said the Awel y Môr Offshore Wind Farm project posed as a “real threat” to their existence.

Two options were on the table.

Plan A which involved placing two transition jointing boxes of two 20 metre by five metre concrete slabs in the middle of the golf course - across the forth, fifth and sixth fairways. Members said this would cause "constant disruption" and access rights would be required with it being a National Significant Infrastructure Project.

Plan B was similar but jointing boxes would be placed half-a-mile inland of the other side of Lyons Robin Hood Holiday Park and railway line by Dyserth bends.

Mike Pritchard, marketing officer at Rhyl Golf Club, said at the time that if Plan A went ahead “the course would be unplayable, alternatives for existing members would need to be sought" and he saw "no viable future".

Now the future is looking bright and a new club is even on the horizon.

Mr Pritchard said: "Recent negotiations have been positive and, as a result, we will be restructuring and redeveloping both the course and clubhouse to fit within the Sea Defence programme.

"When we resurface, we aim to be the first carbon neutral golf club in Wales (if not the UK). More details, as the plans evolve, will be made available to members and interested parties in due course. In the meantime, we thank all those who have considered the fabric, community, history and membership of Rhyl Golf Club in allowing us to continue to be a positive part of this town and county.

"Through the Journal's support and the wider community backing, we have good news to say that 'people power' has saved our Rhyl Golf Club.

"The two big challenges, Sea Defence programme and Awel Y Mor windfarm construction, have both been 'managed' to allow us to keep Rhyl’s only golf course alive for the foreseeable future.

"We have the opportunity to build a new club that will have a zero carbon footprint.

"We will be leading the way in Wales, and possibly the UK, with the first self-sufficient energy and water programme for any golf club.

"We want to Rhyl to be on the map as a first and an ambassador for climate change," Mr Pritchard added.

"Not only will we be using solar for light/electric but geothermal for heating and rain water harvesting plus bore holes for water.

"We want to give back to Rhyl where we can plus we will be the first sports venue to have onsite electric car charging facilities.

"The new clubhouse will be 21st Century plus."

The club will have to close for 12 months whilst the Sea Defence work is undertaken.

Mike added: "But we will return better, stronger and with energy."