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Wednesday, 5 June, 2002, 16:01 GMT 17:01 UK
Owen's golf club's fairway change
Michael Owen
Michael Owen lives near Northop Country Park
A north Wales golf club used by England and Liverpool football star Michael Owen has brought in the builders after a complaint from one of the neighbours.

The Northop Country Park Golf Club near Mold is reshaping one of its fairways after a couple said they were fed up with golf balls landing in their garden.


The golf club has been well established for eight years and the house holder knowingly purchased the home which is immediately adjacent to the golf fairway

Gary Bickley, General Manager of De Vere Hotel
Striker Owen, who has a home in nearby Ewloe, is often seen playing a round at the exclusive club.

Club officials have been forced to reduce the length of one of the holes because the couple, who live in a nearby country mansion, are fed up with golf balls landing in their property.

The couple embroiled in the row have been keeping tight-lipped.

"It is something between ourselves and the De Vere Group who own the club," they said.

The number six hole called Springy Lane is now being re-designed to ensure the golf balls do not stray.

Gary Bickley General Manager of the De Vere St David's Park Hotel in Ewloe- the golf club's owners - admitted there was a problem.

Not amused

However, he said the couple knew their home was on a golf development when they bought it.

"We are negotiating with the house holder who complained about golf balls landing in his property," he said.

Mr Bickley added: "The golf club has been well established for eight years and the house holder knowingly purchased the home which is immediately adjacent to the golf fairway."

Golfers who pay around �1,000 per-year to play at the club are not amused.

"There are more than 50 houses over there. OK, it can be a bit of a problem but if they all complained we wouldn't be playing golf here at all," said one member.

The 72 par course is set in 247 acres of parkland with lakes and pools surrounding it.

The championship course was designed by former captain of the British Ryder Cup, John Jacobs.

Michael Owen is also a neighbour of the club after buying nearby Lower Soughton Hall for �1.6m.


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