Golf star Darren Clarke tees off for his new Shropshire holiday home

The former Open champion was on hand to start digging the footing for one of 11 chalets that will be built within the ground of The Astbury.

Clarke became the professional at Astbury Hall golf course, near Bridgnorth, in December.

The course is owned by former Judas Priest guitarist Ken Downing, who has ploughed much of his personal fortune into the complex.

"I've done a few bits and pieces for Astbury since signing up and it was nice to get out on the golf course yesterday with Ken," said Northern Irishman Clarke, a former Ryder Cup star.

"The construction on the holiday homes will officially begin in September but I hope to start spending more time here.

"I've been in American for the last 11 weeks as I still mainly play on the American PGA tour.

"But where ever I go I'm always wearing the official Astbury clothing and a lot of people have been asking questions about the venue.

"It's already got a huge reputation for the whole course but the greens in particular are stunning because they are USPGA spec.

"Astbury is a special place and Ken has put so much time and effort into this place.

"These holiday homes are a natural progression and they are a really good, modern design that go together wonderfully with the setting.

"It's very exciting to be a part of it."

Clarke, who will be competing in the BMW PGA at Wentworth, in Surrey, on May 22, has been joined by his manager, who will also be buying a property at Astbury.

Their chalets will be one of 11 new homes to be built on the site, which will cost in the region of £500,000 each to buy.

Mr Downing said it was great to welcome Clarke back to Astbury following his busy schedule.

He said: "Yesterday was our first real chance to cement our partnership - and we managed to get a few holes in.

"Darren has been travelling all over the world and when he's at Wentworth competing in the PGA he'll be introduced as the Astbury professional, which is really exciting stuff.

"It's also great Darren and his manager have helped launched our new real estate venture here at Astbury.

"We've had a lot of interest and it's the first real push behind our leisure facilities.

"We're still very hopeful of pushing on with the leisure complex very soon, which will include a spa and a swimming.

"But for now we've had a lot interest in the real estate, especially from America, so it will be a big boost for the local economy."