Programme Year 1 Course Development

At the beginning of 2014 the club appointed Golf Course Architect Howard Swan of Swan Golf Designs to carry out an audit of the entire course, and to produce a long term plan for the development of the course. The first such in-depth analysis of the course since Sir Henry Cotton in The audit was completed in March and presented to the course development committee around the same time. At this time 3 holes and a total of 8 bunkers were selected for redesign as stage 1 of the renovation programme. Work started on the 2 nd, 8 th and 10 th holes in October and is now nearing completion. Introduction

2 nd Hole – Original Description Short par 4 originally intended to be a risk and reward hole. Bunkering on the left was completely blocked out by overplanting of trees. Existing bunker embankments were holding water on the green during rain. Sharply contoured mounds prevented easy and efficient maintenance. There was little strategy to the hole using trees to block the direct line to the green, giving no encouragement to try to reach the target.

2 nd hole, architect’s plan 2 ND Hole Alterations

Trees have been removed from the left, to allow the golfer to view the entire green from the tee and fairway. Trees have been thinned on the right to improve light and air circulation around the green. Green, Approach and fairway have been reshaped. Greenside bunkers have been redesigned to improve playability, ease of maintenance, and aesthetics. 2 ND Hole Alterations

Approach bunkers added – probably the biggest change to the 2 nd is the addition of 2 further bunkers. These will split the hole making the low handicap golfers choose between risking a direct shot and trying to get to the green for that eagle or birdie putt. Or, laying up with the higher handicapped golfer and pitching in for a safe par. They have also significantly improved the aesthetics of the hole. Once the new mowing patterns appear in the spring, including extended approach and fairway the new strategy will be more apparent to the golfer. 2 ND Hole Alterations

Up hill par 3. Approach bunker short right of green which penalised the higher handicapped golfers. Greenside bunker on left hardly visible from the tee, gathers water from surrounding area, little visual interest. 8th Hole – Original Description

Approach bunker on right removed and transformed into grassy hollow. Bunker on left reshaped to shed water and improve aesthetics. Architects plan was to move greenside bunker slightly forward to improve visibility from the tee, unfortunately we hit solid bedrock which prevented us from achieving this. However you can now see the mounding. 8 TH Hole Alterations

Bunkers extremely close to green, which also gather water causing issues with maintenance and playability. Sharp bunker embankments have to be hand mowed. Public footpath on left hand side of green with little protection. Representing a significant safety hazard in play. 10 th Hole Original Design

Rear bunker on right transformed into grassy hollow. Front bunker moved forward, and away from green, allowing it to be carried to reach the green. Greenside bunker on left reshaped, with visible face. Additional approach bunker on left to improve safety of walkers by discouraging a tee shot to the left. 10 TH Hole Alterations

It should be remembered that the changes to these holes have come about by looking at the entire course and not an individual hole or bunker. That holistic view was the essential focus of the audit. While some holes may be tightened by the addition of bunkers, others will be made simpler by moving or even removing some of the existing bunkers. This is a long term project which will benefit the club by making the course more maintainable, efficient and economical and a fairer and challenging test of golf. Conclusions