Published: Just now
When Höganäs municipality lights down, the golf club lights up.
Thanks to sponsors, the club can now stay open even when it’s dark.
– But if no one uses it, it is completely switched off, says vice chairman Kenneth Carlsson.
Although darkness has settled over Höganäs for several hours, play is still going on at Höganäs golf club a few kilometers outside the city centre.
About a year ago, the idea of being able to illuminate parts of the golf course, including the driving range and putting greens, despite the darkness, was hatched.
Something that has now become a reality thanks to sponsors.
– We are a sports organization and during this dark time we have our juniors in mind above all. They go to school all day and have no opportunity to train during the day, says Kenneth Carlsson, vice chairman at Höganäs golf club.
Already funded
He adds that the activities around the track, such as the sports hall and the football field, are also illuminated and thus offer training opportunities for those who, in addition to those particular sports.
– Because we were able to get this funded, which was already decided before the energy crisis came, so we think why shouldn’t we be able to train our juniors like everyone else?
Furthermore, he explains that the facility is equipped with LED lights that also go on at 30-minute time intervals. Thus, he believes, the club does not use anywhere near as much electricity as the surrounding businesses do together.
– If no one trains here, it’s completely dark and then it doesn’t cost us any money either. If you want to play, however, you have to press a button and then it lights up where you want to play. Then it goes off again after half an hour, explains track manager Karl-Gustav Holmgren.
Open 25 extra hours
He adds that the club has had a very tough year with high operating costs.
– This is a business thing from our side, too. This is super important to us, the rank is our livelihood, and now we can stay open 25 more hours a week.
Despite the fact that the investment is mainly for the juniors, it is not only the younger ones who are attracted by the evening open golf club, which it is hoped to run for the rest of the year.
– It’s still so mild now and as pleasant as it gets to go here in the evenings and hit a bit. Our hope is to cover most of the season, as long as possible, both for our enthusiasts and juniors who want to invest, says Karl-Gustav Holmgren.