JUDAS PRIEST Guitarist K.K. DOWNING's Astbury Hall Golf Course Announces Annual Membership

The Astbury Hall 18-hole championship golf course in Shropshire, England — the brainchild of lead guitarist of legendary heavy metal band JUDAS PRIEST, K.K. Downing — has announced its golf annual memberships.

Commented Downing: "Designing this golf course has been an extremely fulfilling experience and one which I am extremely proud of.

"The golf course was designed to give pleasure to golfers of varying abilities and test those who wish to be challenged from our championship tees just measuring over 6500 yards.

"The release of our highly anticipated golf annual membership has now been officially launched and I welcome you to be part of this unique golfing destination.

"Astbury Hall will be restricting the total number of golf annual memberships sold to ensure tee time availability throughout the season for our members, [so] apply now [and] don't be disappointed.

Troon Golf, the leader in upscale golf course management, development and marketing, has been selected to manage golf operations at Astbury Hall.

Sitting on 350 acres of traditional English countryside in the heart of Shropshire, the course opened nine holes to the general public early last year and opened the remaining nine in mid-September 2010. Astbury Hall completes K.K. Downing's first-ever course design. Combining natural features, tactically placed bunkers and beautifully manicured playing surfaces that have been subtly contoured to USGA standards, the course is aimed at testing golfers of all ability.

"This is one of the great stories in golf. It not only highlights K.K. Downing's extraordinary achievement in personally designing such a remarkable course, but it captures the very essence of golf's universal appeal," commented Bruce Glasco, Managing Director Troon Golf Europe, Middle East & Africa.

Downing is regarded as a true icon in the music industry. The Grammy Award-winning heavy metal band, JUDAS PRIEST, secured a series of global music hits and not surprisingly, Astbury Hall has already caught the attention of the media. As awareness of the property grows and the course and accommodation establish themselves further, interest is expected from far and wide.

"Astbury Hall has been born from my experiences on golf courses from around the world. I am fortunate enough to have played some of the finest the world has to offer and I feel privileged to have been able to create a property that encompasses all my cherished experiences," commented K.K. Downing. "I have been lucky to work in two industries that have allowed me to be so creative, especially golf course architecture, which has enabled the visions in my head to be transformed beautifully into a reality."

For more information, go to www.astburyhall.co.uk.