A NORTH-EAST golf course is marking its first anniversary this month after bettering its own ambitious targets for its opening year.

Despite many golf resorts suffering during the recession, Rockliffe Hall’s golf facilities have gone from strength to strength in their first year, with member and customer numbers continuing to rise.

Since opening, Rockliffe Hall – the region’s newest five-star hotel, spa and golf resort, in Hurworth, near Darlington – has signed almost 200 members and seen more than 10,000 rounds played.

Earlier this year, European Tour golfer Graeme Storm relocated his operations to become affiliated with Rockliffe Hall, saying the site’s facilities had everything he needed to help him remain competitive on the tour.

He also tipped the venue as having everything it needed to host the Ryder Cup in the future.

Ian Knight, director of golf operations, said: “One year on, we are receiving more and more compliments about the maturity and quality of the course. It’s a fantastic thing to hear for such a young venue.

“That, coupled with the fantastic practice and offcourse facilities, is proving to be a big attraction for individuals and businesses alike.”

Corporate golf events have played a key part in Rockliffe’s success, and the venue is reporting a boost in business bookings from being leading members of the NewcastleGateshead Initiative’s Space to Think campaign, which encourages meeting planners to think about holding events in the setting of North-East hotels.

Wendy Benson, Rockliffe Hall’s sales and marketing director, said: “The campaign has already proved successful in encouraging events and meetings organisers to think hard about what they are receiving for their money.

“Sitting in a boardroom all day is not the most inspiring environment, and with the days of frivolous spending now gone, businesses want to understand exactly what a location says about their own identity.”