THE Ageas Bowl’s new Boundary Lakes Golf Course welcomed high-profile celebrities, and guests and as it hosted an exclusive celebrity golf event.

Sir Ian Botham, Francis Benali and James Vince were among an array of celebrities welcomed to the iconic home of Hampshire Cricket to take part in a shotgun start competition on the brand new parkland par 69 course.

The competition’s winning team were led by Boundary Lakes Head Greenkeeper Andrew Brown, and featured Louis Spies, Ian Nicholson and Hampshire Cricket’s Tom Alsop.

England cricket legend, Sir Ian said: “The course is excellent and it’s been a really enjoyable day. It’s been a great event at a great venue and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed playing here and with the guys on my team – Boundary Lakes is the sort of course that will get better and better as time goes on.”

The Ageas Bowl Chief Executive, David Mann said: “This has been a fantastic day and the culmination of a great deal of hard work by the Boundary Lakes team. The course looked exceptional and our plans to further extend and improve it will mean that it will get better and better over the next couple of years.”

Boundary Lakes opened to the public for the first time in July with former Hampshire cricketer and Boundary Lakes’ inaugural captain, Tim Tremlett, striking the opening tee shot at the venue.

Tremlett returned for the successful celebrity launch event alongside former Southampton FC defender, Francis Benali, who also enjoyed spending time playing the course for the first time: “It’s my first time round here at Boundary Lakes and I have to say it’s amazing - any golf course is a challenge for me but the event been a great occasion and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.”

Hampshire Cricket club captain, James Vince added: “It’s a really nice course and being based at the cricket ground, we’re lucky enough to be able to use it a fair bit which is great.”

The addition arrives at one of the South’s most exciting venues – one which already comprises a stunning 171-bedroom Hilton hotel, BEEFY’S brasserie restaurant, Lakeview Sports Bar and luxurious eforea spa.

Boundary Lakes’ off-course facilities, including brand new clubhouse and American Golf store are all housed within the luxury Hilton at the Ageas Bowl.