A Whixall man has written a book about his life-changing decision

Albert Minshall tells his life story in his book In A Wonderful Lifetime which he launched in front of around 160 guests on Friday (March 14) where his adventure began.

The Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf and Spa in Tarporley Road, Whitchurch, has just completed an £11.8 million refurbishment and extension – 35 years after Albert bought the site! Albert, who is still involved in the golfing operation of the hotel, said his autobiography told his life story and how Hill Valley was created. I started work at H Preston and Son in Whixall as a 15-year-old brickie and I then had my own company when I was 17, he said. I spent two years in the army in the artillery and then went back into the building trade to work for a couple of small firms. I read in the Whitchurch Herald that a farm was for sale but I needed the other farm as well to make up 260 acres. I thought I would like to have a go at creating a golf course because there was nothing like that in this area. I should have stuck to the building trade because I was making money then!

I bought both farms and then got planning permission for a golf course. I approached Peter Alliss and David Thomas who agreed to design the course. Ian Woosnam worked here for a few years as a green keeper before he became a professional golfer and I have met some wonderful characters and players over the years. We added a second 18-hole course and the courses have developed wonderfully over the years between the trees and lakes. We are now regarded among the top ten courses in the UK and people are always asking me how Hill Valley began so I thought I would write it all down in a book. After buying the two farms in 1972 for £280,000, Hill Valley was opened in 1975 by golf writer and commentator Henry Longhurst. Albert went into partnership with Macdonald Hotels in 2003 and the venue has been transformed by an £11.8 million investment which has led to the creation of an 81-bedroom block, conference and banqueting suites, restaurant, lounge and new golf facilities. This is how I always visualised it and it is fantastic, he said. The opening of the leisure club and spa in December was the icing on the cake. In A Wonderful Lifetime, priced at £8, is available from local book stores.