K.K. Downing, a founding member of the legendary heavy metal rock band Judas Priest, has added golf to his rock ’n’ roll dreams.
Downing has opened the first nine of a planned 27 holes on his Astbury Hall estate outside Bridgnorth, promising Augusta National-caliber course conditions and five-star clubhouse and service accommodations.
Downing and the band are still performing, but he said he plans to spend plenty of time at his new passion. While the first nine holes are technically open to the public, he is limiting play to no more than two groups of 10 or more per day with the promise of that exclusivity and a first-class experience.
“I’m not after the pounds-20-a-day-including-lunch market,” Downing told the Birmingham Post. “It takes a lot of money, and I mean a lot of money, to provide a great golf course, but as long as I can attract enough money to pay for it, I’ll be happy.”
If play can’t quite support the whole outlay, Downing will probably survive – Judas Priest has sold over 35 million albums, and they are still selling.