Whitby Golf Club Bridge Project

Aim

Help Whitby Golf Club to replace their iconic footbridge across Upgang Ravine, keeping golf accessible for members and visitors alike!

The story so far.

For decades, the bridge crossing Upgang Beck ravine has been an iconic feature of Whitby Golf Club. However, after years of exposure to the coastal environment, it reached the end of its safe working life and had to be carefully dismantled following extensive professional advice.

The Club is now working towards installing a modern replacement bridge that will not only reconnect the golf course but transform the way it can be enjoyed. Whitby Golf club operates as a Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC), this status is secured as the club maintains affordable membership fees, and keeps a cost-effective option for low-income individuals. Subsequently this affects the amount of funding the club is able to generate and therefore the need to fundraise in order to pay for a new bridge.

The team behind the project.

A dedicated "Bridge Project" Team has been meeting since March 2024 to explore options for a replacement bridge. The group has carefully considered a wide range of factors, including coastal erosion, future accessibility for golf buggies and maintenance vehicles, increased pedestrian use within the ravine, the environmentally sensitive area on the clubhouse bank side and, of course, the overall cost of the project.

The proposed structure has been designed to closely reflect the appearance of the original bridge while providing a wider crossing capable of safely accommodating golf buggies and maintenance vehicles. Importantly, the design has been developed to meet the requirements of North Yorkshire Council's planning team and represents what we believe to be an excellent long-term investment, with total project costs estimated at approximately £300,000.

The team is made up of members who's expertise in fundraising, project management and capital investment, among other things, make them perfect candidates to drive the project forward and to reach the club's goal of a new bridge.

Why replace the bridge?

Accessibility

The new bridge has been designed to safely accommodate golf buggies and maintenance vehicles, opening up significant new opportunities for participation.

Currently, the steep ravine creates a barrier for many golfers who find walking the full course challenging. The new bridge will allow players using buggies to enjoy the complete course, helping older golfers, people with mobility issues and those returning to the game following illness or injury.

Creating a more accessible course aligns with Whitby Golf Club’s ambition to ensure golf is a sport for everyone, regardless of age or physical ability.

Health and wellbeing

Golf is recognised as one of the healthiest sports people can enjoy throughout their lives, combining gentle physical activity with the mental wellbeing benefits of spending time outdoors.

Research consistently shows that regular participation in golf can improve cardiovascular health, mobility, balance and overall fitness while reducing stress and supporting positive mental health*. The Bridge Project will enable more people to continue enjoying these benefits by removing one of the course’s most significant accessibility challenges.

The project also supports Whitby Golf Club’s wider vision of encouraging more people to enjoy the outdoors, remain active for longer and experience the physical and social benefits that golf provides.

Investing in the future.

Whitby Golf Club’s Junior Section continues to go from strength to strength and currently sits at 111 junior members across our two junior membership options.

Thanks to the dedication of the Junior Committee, volunteers and PGA Professional James Ellis-Caird, increasing numbers of young people are discovering the game through coaching, competitions and the Club’s Junior Academy.

The Club recently hosted its first Faldo Futures qualifying event, giving many local juniors the opportunity to compete in a nationally recognised competition for the very first time.

As junior participation continues to grow, creating a course that is accessible, safe and fit for the future is an important investment in developing tomorrow’s golfers.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 14th November 2026 at 4:04pm