Just under two years after the Chart Hills clubhouse was ravaged by fire, the golf club will welcome contestants and spectators for the Ladies English Open with newly rebuilt and improved facilities.Chart Hills has already covered itself in glory in its handling of the fire, which destroyed two thirds of the building in September 2005 and needed more than 70 firefighters to tackle the blaze.

Just 48 hours after the disaster, the club somehow reopened for a European Tour qualifying school event.Chart Hills general manager Rod Park said: “It is a great testament to everybody at Chart Hills the golf club has managed to function to such a high standard since the fire – hosting a Ladies European Tour event and two tour school qualifiers – without all of the facilities one would normally take for granted at a championship venue.”

The new clubhouse opened earlier this year, with the momentous occasion being capped with a black-tie function that attracted 130 people and raised more than £15,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The decoration and finish of the new facilities are of the highest standards, providing the Biddenden club with a clubhouse that more than matches Chart Hills’ famous course.

Amongst the facilities on site are a brand new Pro Shop located in the main foyer and range of new function suites, christened the Carnforth Suites in honour of Chart Hills president The Right Honourable Lord Parkinson.