Mackenzie & Ebert 2019 Annual Review
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I n t e r n a t i o n a l G o l f C o u r s e A r c h i t e c t s<br />
The <strong>2019</strong> <strong>Review</strong>
Summary Of The Year<br />
<strong>2019</strong> was a year that has taken us to 4 continents, 15 countries and more than 100 golf courses to encounter a full spectrum of<br />
golf experiences from the arid city centre of Lima, Peru to the vibrant colours of Kobe, Japan.<br />
There have been many memorable experiences, but the most notable has to be the visit to the Northern Irish coast in July when<br />
The Open descended on Royal Portrush. 6 years earlier, design work began on planning alterations that would make hosting a<br />
tournament of The Open’s size on its world renowned Dunluce course possible. The plans were implemented 2 years after that.<br />
Ever since the new 7th and 8th holes were conceived, there has been great anticipation and a degree of nervousness about how<br />
the world’s best would tackle them. The weather was largely kind, with the wind switching slightly from day to day to change the<br />
challenge of the course. The aim is to design holes that offer the possibility of producing birdies and eagles as well as bogeys and<br />
double bogeys. The new par 5 7th certainly did that, being in range in two, even though it measures almost 600 yards allowing<br />
a few eagles and some disasters along the way.<br />
Shane Lowry’s performance was enormously impressive, demonstrating his deep knowledge of links golf, his shot-making ability<br />
and magical touch around the greens. When the Dunluce started to bite back on Sunday afternoon, he withstood every challenge<br />
presented and was a worthy winner of the Claret Jug.<br />
Whilst The Open was taking place, another highlight of the year was simmering in the background. Out in Japan, the major<br />
renovation and restoration of lost features of the course at Hirono, originally designed in 1931 which became a real golfing<br />
landmark in the East, was proceeding full steam ahead. The first spade hit the ground on the 12th of January. A little over 10<br />
months later, at a memorable opening ceremony, the restored and improved course was launched. Every green had been rebuilt<br />
using the original design sketches of Charles Hugh Alison (Harry Colt’s partner) as inspiration. Every tee had been reworked<br />
alongside a full bunker reconstruction programme to restore the incredible and visually striking hazards that had been lost over<br />
time.<br />
The M&E team at The<br />
Open, Royal Portrush<br />
The restored bunkering<br />
on the 7th at Hirono<br />
87<br />
Clubs Worked With In <strong>2019</strong><br />
7<br />
New Commissions<br />
37<br />
Projects Under Construction<br />
16<br />
Courses Currently Advised Ranked In Golf.com<br />
World Top 100<br />
15<br />
Countries Visited
Summary Of The Year<br />
The new 7th green,<br />
Royal Dornoch<br />
The final hole at Hamilton<br />
for the Canadian Open<br />
The year saw Golf.com and Top100GolfCourses.com launch their World Top 100 Courses rankings. In the Golf.com Rankings,<br />
16 of them are being or have been advised (with 10 in the Top 50). Construction is underway on projects on 9 of them. In the<br />
Top100golfcourses.com rankings, 13 make the list. Included in the Top 10 of one or other of the rankings are Royal County Down,<br />
the Ailsa Course at Turnberry and Royal Dornoch. It is notable that all three are implementing work this year. Of particular note,<br />
at Royal Dornoch, the new 7th hole has been completed and was opened in December to limited play. It runs along the top of<br />
the scarp offering an incredible view towards the coast.<br />
Another Colt & Company course, like Hirono, Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Ontario, Canada hosted the RBC Canadian Open<br />
and then embarked on the first phase of a major reconstruction. The work will be complete and established in time for the<br />
The new 7th green open for<br />
play, Royal Dornoch<br />
87<br />
Clubs Worked With In <strong>2019</strong><br />
7<br />
New Commissions<br />
37<br />
Projects Under Construction<br />
future championships which are scheduled. On the opposite side of Toronto, Oshawa Golf and Curling Club gave the go-ahead<br />
for a Historic Research Study and Long Range Plan, one of 7 new commissions during the year.<br />
Moving closer to home, it was an extraordinarily busy year both beside the sea and inland. Work was either underway or being<br />
planned on 35 seaside links from the far North of Scotland to Cornwall to The West of Ireland to Jersey. Away from the sea, work<br />
was undertaken at 40 courses in 9 countries from Cyprus to Finland to Iceland to Canada to Spain. This includes work on 12<br />
heathland courses, the most major of which can be seen at Liphook.<br />
This is certainly a period where clubs are looking to invest in their future.<br />
16<br />
Courses Currently Advised Ranked In Golf.com<br />
World Top 100<br />
15<br />
Countries Visited
What a start to The Open - a birdie at the 1st for Darren!<br />
The Open At Royal Portrush
Enormous crowds on the 72nd hole to<br />
celebrate Shane’s fantastic performance<br />
The Open At Royal Portrush
Restoration of the carry feature<br />
on the 18th hole<br />
First Journey To Japan - Hirono
Restoration of the bunkering<br />
on the par 3 7th hole<br />
First Journey To Japan - Hirono
Work On Heritage Courses<br />
Once again this year, we have been entrusted to work on many of the great courses across the British Isles and<br />
Europe as well as some further afield. Working sensitively on courses where the great old architects plied their<br />
trade is part of what we have always done in our careers.<br />
Architect<br />
Harry Colt<br />
Charles Hugh Alison (with Harry Colt)<br />
Herbert Fowler<br />
Dr A MacKenzie<br />
Philip <strong>Mackenzie</strong> Ross<br />
Old Tom Morris<br />
John Morrison<br />
Tom Simpson<br />
James Braid<br />
Willie Park Junior<br />
Stanley Thompson<br />
Courses With Direct M&E Involvement In <strong>2019</strong> Where<br />
The Great Old Architects World<br />
St Andrews Eden, Aldeburgh, Burnham & Berrow, Cannes Mougin, Chelmsford, Formby, Hamilton, Luffenham Heath,<br />
Prestbury, Royal Belfast, Royal Portrush, Royal Wimbledon, Trevose, Worthing<br />
Aldeburgh, Effingham, Hirono, Luffenham Heath, Northumberland, Royal Lytham and St Annes<br />
Delemere Forest, Saunton, Walton Heath<br />
Burnham & Berrow, Bruntsfield Links, Ilkley, Littlestone, Royal Troon (Old and Portland)<br />
Turnberry (Ailsa)<br />
Askernish, Prestwick, Royal County Down, Royal Dornoch, St Andrews New, Wallasey<br />
Fulwell, Kedleston Park, Prestbury, Princes, Trevose<br />
Club de Golf Terramar, North Hants, Royal Porthcawl<br />
Exeter, Bruntsfield Links, Formby, Goodwood, La Moye, Littlestone, Luffenham Heath, Mortonhall<br />
Aldeburgh, Bruntsfield Links, Formby, Notts (Hollinwell), Royal Wimbledon<br />
Oshawa<br />
Herbert Fowler<br />
Philip <strong>Mackenzie</strong> Ross<br />
Tom Simpson<br />
Stanley Thompson
Heritage Courses<br />
R e s t o r a t i o n , R e n o v a t i o n O r R e d e s i g n - W h a t A p p r o a c h S h o u l d B e T a k e n ?<br />
There is occasionally criticism from some quarters about changes to old courses. Some feel that it is sacrilege to<br />
change courses which have a historic significance. In some cases that criticism is justified as some great old courses<br />
have been completely transformed from their original character and not always for the better.<br />
As will be a repetitive theme through this <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Review</strong>, our approach to historic course projects is to first make as<br />
extensive a research study as is possible to discover how the particular course has evolved and who was responsible<br />
for what. The records for some courses are better than others but it is only right to pay as much respect as possible<br />
to the original designers and, in many cases, the re-designers. Not only is it a very valuable exercise but it can be a<br />
fascinating one as well.<br />
Once that historic research is collated, a decision can be made about which features of a course should be restored.<br />
We believe that it should not be a case of restoring every old feature, if it is even possible to do so, as the game has<br />
moved on. However, some features are most definitely worthy of restoration. The forgotten left hand section of the<br />
16th fairway at Royal Cinque Ports, discovered on an old aerial photograph, is an example of one such feature which<br />
has definitely been worth restoring this year. Only expert historians would have known that the 7th at Royal Dornoch<br />
was part of a sequence added in 1946 when George Duncan, the Open Champion, visited for a day to lay out the new<br />
holes. At the time, there were doubts locally about where he put the 7th which has now been moved.<br />
Old features can also inspire proposals, even if it is not considered appropriate to restore the features themselves.<br />
The wonderful rough edged bunkers we discovered had been created after the Second World War by <strong>Mackenzie</strong> Ross<br />
at Turnberry are an example of that. They might not all be in the same locations as they were, but the old shapes were<br />
used as inspiration for the new ones.<br />
The same was the case at Hirono, in Japan, where new bunkers were added in a modern version of the old style, to<br />
ensure that the course remains a suitable test for the best players from the back tees. We believe it is only what the<br />
original architects would propose if they had the opportunity to return to their courses today.<br />
The 16th hole, with its restored left hand<br />
section of fairway at Royal Cinque Ports<br />
Photograph courtesy of Jason Livy
Heritage Courses<br />
R e s t o r a t i o n , R e n o v a t i o n O r R e d e s i g n - W h a t A p p r o a c h S h o u l d B e T a k e n ?<br />
What the research often reveals is how significantly certain courses have changed over the years, and very often<br />
for the betterment of the layout. Once again that inspires and supports the possibility of a further adjustment to<br />
the course, so long as it is not made for the sake of change. A case illustrating that is provided by Royal Portrush,<br />
where Harry Colt’s original layout was routed from a clubhouse located in the town itself. Two new holes were<br />
required when the clubhouse moved. That precedent helped the members accept that a further change to the<br />
layout, involving the two holes recently added, the 7th and 8th, was entirely justified. And, of course, that led to<br />
The Open Championship returning to the great Dunluce links after 68 years.<br />
7th Hole, Royal Portrush<br />
Photograph courtesy of Steve Carr<br />
So, in conclusion, changes to historic courses can be justified but some of them are, in fact, restorations of old<br />
features. Where changes are made or new features added, that should only follow a considered evaluation of the<br />
historical evolution of the course and an assessment of the demands of the modern game.
Bunker Styles<br />
R e s t o r a t i o n , R e n o v a t i o n O r R e d e s i g n<br />
<strong>Mackenzie</strong> & <strong>Ebert</strong> do not have one particular bunker style. We believe that the bunker style for a particular course<br />
should be decided upon after considering a number of factors. What was the old style of the bunkers and is that<br />
appropriate today? What does the landscape suggest? What are the maintenance demands of a particular style<br />
and can the Club cope with those demands? What is the brief from the Club? It is not a “one size fits all” approach,<br />
although some people seem to think it is.<br />
The 10th hole on the Ailsa Course at Turnberry,<br />
showing two styles of bunker on the same hole.<br />
The following pages show a range of styles which we have been involved with throughout the past year.
Bunker Styles<br />
More intricate shapes at Effingham<br />
Rough edged ‘torn’ bunker edges at Trevose<br />
Smoother lines at Fulwell<br />
Gnarled and rough faced at Littlestone<br />
The old irregular bunkers at Hirono<br />
restored with a more manicured edge<br />
Classic revetment at Nairn
World Top 100 Golf Courses<br />
By GOLF.com<br />
<strong>Mackenzie</strong> & <strong>Ebert</strong> are currently advisers to 16 of the top 100 courses in the world as ranked by GOLF.com<br />
WORLD TOP 100 GOLF COURSES - 2020/21<br />
Course Country Advice Provided Number Ranking Course Country Advice Provided Number<br />
1 Pine Valley USA 51 Royal Troon (Old) Scotland Changes for the 2016 Open Championship. 10<br />
2 Cypress Point USA 52 Camargo USA<br />
3 St Andrews (Old) Scotland 53 Bethpage (Black) USA<br />
4 Shinnecock Hills USA 54 Woodhall Spa (Hotchkin) England<br />
5 National Golf Links Of America USA 55 Swinley Forest England<br />
6 Royal County Down Northern Ireland<br />
New 16th hole & major changes to 17th & 18th - New practice ground constructed -<br />
Masterplan.<br />
1 56 Kawana (Fuji) Japan<br />
7 Royal Melbourne (West) Australia 57 Ballyneal USA<br />
8 Oakmont USA 58 Kiawah Island (Ocean) USA<br />
9 Augusta National USA 59 Casa De Campo (Teeth Of The Dog) Dominican Rep.<br />
10 Royal Dornoch (Championship) Scotland<br />
Vision Document approved by members, changes to the 3rd & 12th holes completed.<br />
New 7th Hole.<br />
2 60 Cape Wickham Australia<br />
11 Pebble Beach USA 61 Royal Lytham & St. Annes England Masterplan, changes for the 2012 Open Championship including a new 7th green. 11<br />
12 Muirfield Scotland 62 Winged Foot (East) USA<br />
13 Royal Portrush (Dunluce) Northern Ireland Two new holes & other major changes for the <strong>2019</strong> Open Championship. 3 63 Cruden Bay Scotland New 9th hole, revised 10th hole and assistance on long-term plannin. 1st tee project. 12<br />
14 Sand Hills USA 64 Maidstone USA<br />
15 Merion (East) USA 65 Royal Liverpool England Adjustments to the 9th & 17th green surrounds - Masterplan for the 2022 Open. 13<br />
16 Pinehurst (No.2) USA 66 Castle Stuart Scotland<br />
17 Trump Turnberry (Ailsa) Scotland Major changes including 5 new holes & every green, tee and bunker rebuilt. 4 67 Rye (Old) England General advice - Redesign of the 17th hole green surrounds. Ongoing advice. 14<br />
18 Fishers Island USA 68 TPC Sawgrass (Players) USA<br />
19 Chicago USA 69 Whistling Straits (Straits) USA<br />
20 Los Angeles (North) USA 70 Diamante (Dunes) Mexico<br />
21 Ballybunion (Old) Ireland Fairway lines and concept plans. 5 71 Kingsbarns Scotland<br />
22 Kingston Heath Australia 72 Oakland Hills (South) USA<br />
23 Winged Foot (West) USA 73 Sunningdale (New) England<br />
24 Pacific Dunes USA 74 Quaker Ridge USA<br />
25 Cystal Downs USA 75 Prestwick Scotland Bunker strategy report. Pathway report. 15<br />
26 Friar's Head USA 76 Sleepy Hollow USA<br />
27 Tara Iti New Zealand 77 Ellerston Australia<br />
28 Riviera USA 78 Royal Hague Netherlands<br />
29 Sunningdale (Old) England 79 Olympic (Lake) USA<br />
30 San Francisco USA 80 Bandon Dunes USA<br />
31 Prairie Dunes USA 81 Inverness USA<br />
32 Carnoustie (Championship) Scotland Redesign of the 3rd hole & Open practice facilities. 6 82 Cabot Links Canada<br />
33 Royal St. George's England Changes for the 2011 & 2020 Open Championships & Open practice facilities. 7 83 Yale USA<br />
34 Seminole USA 84 The Golf Club Japan<br />
35 Barnbougle Dunes Australia 85 Muifield Village USA<br />
36 Lahinch (Old) Ireland 86 St George's Hill (R&B) England<br />
37 North Berwick (West) Scotland 87 Bandon Trails USA<br />
38 The Country Club (Clyde/Squirrel) USA 88 De Pan (Utrechtse) Netherlands<br />
39 Hirono Japan Major restoration and renovation including every green, tee and bunker rebuilt. 8 89 Barnbougle (Lost Farm) Australia<br />
40 Royal Birkdale England 90 Walton Heath (Old) England Masterplan and layout advice. 16<br />
41 Morfontaine France 91 Peachtree USA<br />
42 Somerset Hills USA 92 Myopia Hunt Club USA<br />
43 Cabot Cliffs Canada 93 Machrihanish Scotland<br />
44 Cape Kidnappers New Zealand 94 Nine Bridges Vietnam<br />
45 Shoreacres USA 95 St. George's Canada<br />
46 New South Wales Australia 96 Royal Melbourne (East) Australia<br />
47 Garden City USA 97 Waterville Ireland<br />
48 Portmarnock (Old) Ireland Masterplan, bunker strategy report, dune construction & practice facilities. 9 98 Ohoopee Match Club USA<br />
49 Southern Hills USA 99 Rock Creek Cattle Company USA<br />
50 California Club Of San Francisco USA 100 Trump International Scotland
World Top 100 Golf Courses<br />
By Top100golfcourses.com<br />
<strong>Mackenzie</strong> & <strong>Ebert</strong> are currently advisers to 13 of the top 100 courses in the world as ranked by Top100golfcourses.com<br />
Top 100 Golf Courses of the World 2020<br />
Course Country Advice Provided Number Ranking Course Country Advice Provided Number<br />
1 Cypress Point USA 51 Camargo USA<br />
2 Pine Valley USA 52 Royal Aberdeen Scotland<br />
3 Shinnecock Hills USA 53 Castle Stuart Scotland<br />
4 Royal County Down Northern Ireland<br />
New 16th hole & major changes to 17th & 18th - New practice ground constructed -<br />
Masterplan.<br />
1 54 Swinley Forest England<br />
5 National Golf Links Of America USA 55 Cape Wickham Australia<br />
6 Royal Melbourne (West) Australia 56 Garden City USA<br />
7 Oakmont USA 57 Bethpage (Black) USA<br />
8 Trump Turnberry (Ailsa) Scotland Major changes including 5 new holes & every green, tee and bunker rebuilt. 2 58 Royal Lytham & St. Annes England Masterplan, changes for the 2012 Open Championship including a new 7th green. 10<br />
9 St Andrews (Old) Scotland 59 St. George's Canada<br />
10 Sand Hills USA 60 California USA<br />
11 Royal Portrush (Dunluce) Northern Ireland Two new holes & other major changes for the <strong>2019</strong> Open Championship. 3 61 Cabot Links Canada<br />
12 Royal Dornoch (Championship) Scotland<br />
Vision Document approved by members, changes to the 3rd & 12th holes completed.<br />
New 7th Hole.<br />
4 62 Woodhall Spa (Hotchkin) England<br />
13 Merion (East) USA 63 Diamante (Dunes) Mexico<br />
14 Muirfield Scotland 64 Trump International Scotland<br />
15 Augusta National USA 65 Old Town USA<br />
16 Kingston Heath Australia 66 Royal Porthcawl Wales Masterplan and bunker restoration 11<br />
17 Pebble Beach USA 67 St George's Hill (R&B) England<br />
18 Cystal Downs USA 68 Bandon Dunes USA<br />
19 Ballybunion (Old) Ireland Fairway lines and concept plans. 5 69 Kiawah Island Resort (Ocean) USA<br />
20 Fishers Island USA 70 Cruden Bay Scotland New 9th hole, revised 10th hole and assistance on long-term plannin. 1st tee project. 12<br />
21 Friar's Head USA 71 Maidstone USA<br />
22 Royal St. George's England Changes for the 2011 & 2020 Open Championships & Open practice facilities. 6 72 Shoreacres USA<br />
23 Pacific Dunes USA 73 Oakland Hills (South) USA<br />
24 Sunningdale (Old) England 74 Ellerston Australia<br />
25 Los Angeles (North) USA 75 Barnbougle Lost Farm Australia<br />
26 Chicago USA 76 Old Sandwich USA<br />
27 Pinehurst (No.2) USA 77 Ganton England<br />
28 Carnoustie (Championship) Scotland Redesign of the 3rd hole & Open practice facilities. 7 78 TPC Sawgrass (Stadium) USA<br />
29 Lahinch (Old) Ireland 79 Whistling Straits (Straits) USA<br />
30 Barnbougle Dunes Australia 80 Koninklijke Haagsche Netherlands<br />
31 Winged Foot (West) USA 81 Ardfin Scotland<br />
32 Hirono Japan Major restoration and renovation including every green, tee and bunker rebuilt. 8 82 St Enodoc (Chiurch) England<br />
33 Riviera USA 83 Bandon Dunes (Old Macdonald) USA<br />
34 Prairie Dunes USA 84 Muirfield Village USA<br />
35 San Francisco USA 85 Casa De Campo (Teeth Of The Dog) Dominican Rep.<br />
36 Tara Iti New Zealand 86 De Pan (Utrechtse) Netherlands<br />
37 Seminole USA 87 South Cape Owners Club South Korea<br />
38 New South Wales Australia 88 Victoria Golf Club Australia<br />
39 Morfontaine France 89 Naruo Japan<br />
40 Royal Birkdale England 90 Royal Adelaide Australia<br />
41 North Berwick (West) Scotland 91 West Sussex England<br />
42 Kawana (Fuji) Japan 92 Lanhai International (Yangtze Dunes) China<br />
43 Kingsbarns Scotland 93 European Club Ireland<br />
44 Cape Kidnappers New Zealand 94 Paraparaumu Beach New Zealand<br />
45 Sunningdale (New) England 95 Royal Cinque Ports England Masterplan, bunker restoration & practice facilities. 13<br />
46 Cabot Cliffs Canada 96 Essex County Club USA<br />
47 Ballyneal USA 97 The Golf Club USA<br />
48 Portmarnock (Old) Ireland Masterplan, bunker strategy report, dune construction & practice facilities. 9 98 Santapazienza Brazil<br />
49 The Country Club (Clyde/Squirrel) USA 99 Bandon Dunes (Bandon Trails) USA<br />
50 Somerset Hills USA 100 Real Valderrama Spain
Mapping Goodwood in Canada<br />
Drone Services<br />
It has been another busy year all around with the use of the drone becoming increasingly<br />
integral part of the <strong>Mackenzie</strong> & <strong>Ebert</strong> workflow, being used as a basis for visualisations, hole<br />
by hole video fly-throughs and mapping. We also offer clubs the high quality hole by hole fly<br />
through videos which provide a wonderful way to showcase a course and can be used for<br />
websites and marketing purposes.<br />
Drone usage in the UK has come under increased legislation this year, following an incident at<br />
Gatwick Airport late last year and the huge increase in shop-bought drones. This tightening in<br />
regulation is actually a good thing for everyone, as it makes our skies safer. As a professional<br />
operator, Chris Huggett has held a PfCO (Permission for Commercial Operations), issued by<br />
the Civil Aviation Authority, for 3 years and always operates within the relevant drone laws<br />
whichever country he is working in.<br />
The project at Hirono in Japan has been a wonderful experience and culturally refreshing –<br />
courteous, charming people, beautiful landscapes, a sense of history and cherished traditions.<br />
The drone showed its full potential, acting as a powerful tool to record the progress of the<br />
project through videography and photography, examples of which are included in this review.<br />
The combination of LiDAR and drone mapping data has proved invaluable as a base for the<br />
restoration project.<br />
April involved a trip to La Moye in Jersey to take photos and videos of the course as well as<br />
carry out a mapping exercise. This was followed by an exciting trip to Canada in September.<br />
The introduction of strict drone laws in Canada meant having to take an advanced flight<br />
review examination before making any flights.<br />
Having worked on Angus Glen and Goodwood for many years, it was great to finally be able to<br />
use the drone at both courses. This was followed by a full 18 hole flythrough at Hamilton Golf<br />
& Country Club before the work starts on the course. A visit to Oshawa Golf & Curling Club to<br />
capture photos and videos of all 18 holes and to map the course came next. A big bonus was<br />
seeing the salmon making their final journey upriver to spawn - something never to forget.<br />
An article in a Japanese magazine ‘Choice’<br />
Looking back towards La Moye from La Rocco tower<br />
Hirono - Hole No.7, par3
Drone Services
Contractors & Greenkeepers<br />
This has been another year of great team work. Achieving the best results for a project involves<br />
everyone doing their jobs well and we are privileged to work with exceptionally talented and<br />
committed contractors, greenkeeping teams and individuals. Each part of the team is equally<br />
important for ideas to work in reality. Everywhere we work, the greenkeeping teams are at our<br />
sides and their role must not be under-estimated in the success of projects.<br />
A big thank you to everyone involved.<br />
The Island<br />
Liphook<br />
Royal Dornoch<br />
Nairn<br />
Lima
New Commissions<br />
After a flurry of new appointments at the end of 2018, this year<br />
brought a further 7 new commissions. These are at:<br />
The 18th green at Oshawa<br />
Aldeburgh (Suffolk, England)<br />
Ballybunion (Ireland)<br />
Craigielaw (East Lothian, Scotland)<br />
Hopeman (Moray, Scotland)<br />
Nairn Dunbar (Nairnshire, Scotland)<br />
Oshawa (Ontario, Canada)<br />
Wallasey (Wirral, England)
<strong>2019</strong> Project List<br />
Aislaby Fureso Nairn Royal Portrush<br />
Aldeburgh Goodwood Nairn Dunbar Royal St. George’s<br />
Angus Glen Hamilton Golf & Country Club Noordwijkse Royal Troon<br />
Ashridge Hankley Common North Hants Royal West Norfolk<br />
Ballybunion Harewood Downs Northumberland Royal Wimbledon<br />
Bamburgh Castle Haywards Heath Notts Rye<br />
Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society Hillside Oakmere Saunton<br />
Burnham & Berrow Hindhead Oshawa Silloth-on-Solway<br />
Cannes Mougins Hirono Pickala St. Andrews<br />
Carnoustie Hopeman Porthmadog Swinley Forest<br />
Chelmsford Ilkley Prestbury Terramar<br />
Conwy Kedleston Park Prestwick The Island<br />
Copenhagen Keilir Princes Trevose<br />
Cortona La Moye Reykjavik Turnberry<br />
Craigielaw Lima Rochester & Cobham Vierumaki<br />
Cruden Bay Liphook Rothley Park Wallasey<br />
Eaton Littlestone Royal Cinque Ports Walton Heath<br />
Edgbaston Los Leones Royal County Down West Byfleet<br />
Effingham Luffenham Heath Royal Dornoch Western Gailes<br />
Exeter Golf & Country Club Milltown Royal Liverpool Worthing<br />
Flempton Minthis Royal Lytham And St. Annes Appendix 1 - Hirono Portfolio<br />
Formby Moor Hall Royal North Devon Appendix 2 - Liphook Video<br />
Fulwell Mortonhall Royal Porthcawl Appendix 3 - The Island Timelapse<br />
RETURN TO START<br />
OF REVIEW<br />
PLEASE CLICK A COURSE NAME TO REVEAL MORE INFORMATION
Somerset, England<br />
A visit was made at this beautiful, private 6 hole course in Somerset to review its condition<br />
and the addition of a new tee to play to a green across the lake which match players<br />
occasionally swim across in accordance with Amphibian Rules!
Suffolk, England<br />
At the end of the year, the Club took the decision to appoint <strong>Mackenzie</strong> & <strong>Ebert</strong> to<br />
undertake a comprehensive review of the Championship Course with a view to further<br />
strengthening Aldeburgh’s position as one of the leading maritime heathland courses in<br />
the UK. This will begin, as usual, with a historical assessment to see what changes have<br />
occurred over the years and whether any old features should be restored or will provide<br />
inspiration for new proposals. Improvement of the practice facilities also forms an<br />
important part of the brief.
Ontario, Canada<br />
Input has been provided over many years at Angus Glen, which has hosted Canadian<br />
Opens in the past on both the South and North Courses. The latest input seeks to plan a<br />
long term strategy for golf at the Club.
Hertfordshire, England<br />
A visit was made to this delightful course to assess the 3rd hole in particular to provide<br />
proposals for the teeing area, carry, green surrounds and bunkering design following the<br />
loss of a key tree at the green. The opportunity was taken to consider ideas on some of<br />
the other holes.
County Kerry, Ireland<br />
Design input at Ballybunion has been provided on a number of fronts, including a focus on<br />
restoring old features though a study of the Tom Simpson report of 1936. The fairway<br />
shapes of the Old Course were assessed as part of this exercise with the Club installing a<br />
new irrigation system during the year. A design concept has also been presented for the<br />
Club’s practice ground and dunes were formed around the car park at the end of the year.<br />
Initial plans have been drawn up for the improvement of the Cashen Course and this work<br />
will be submitted to the Club in the New Year as part of a design competition for the<br />
improvement of Ballybunion’s second course.
Northumberland, England<br />
A fascinating Historic Research Report was published for the Club in 2017 as a precursor to<br />
a full Course Audit. Since then, the Club has been making adjustments to the course using<br />
in-house resources at a steady rate and this continued in <strong>2019</strong> with work being completed<br />
on the 2 nd , 3 rd and 17 th holes. Work is ongoing on the new 6 th green as well as the bunkers<br />
on the 5 th , 7 th , 8 th and 9 th holes. There are exciting plans for a new 13 th green and a new<br />
par three 14 th hole.
Edinburgh, Scotland<br />
The start of the year saw the re-opening of the course at Bruntsfield Links, following the<br />
major redevelopment completed in 2018. In total, eight new greens have been built and<br />
all bunkers have been reconstructed, many being relocated, but with all being lined. The<br />
course now has two new par 3s, the 10th and 16th, and five rerouted holes that have<br />
resulted in a layout with more variety and interest.<br />
Further to the course work, a new 1000 sq. m practice putting green has been added<br />
directly in front of the Clubhouse. The Society has seen a considerable upturn in<br />
membership applications and green fee revenue from members introducing guests as well<br />
as visiting players. The investment was significant but the response of the golfers wanting<br />
to join or play has more than justified it.
Somerset, England<br />
Following the successful redesign and reconstruction of the 6th green, the Club decided<br />
that the 14th green should be the next to be softened in terms of its contours. Previously,<br />
it had been played from a completely different direction and, when it was changed, the<br />
shaping was a little too severe causing good tee shots landing on the right side of the<br />
green to end up off the green on the left. That has been addressed with the new design<br />
but care was taken to maintain the attractive shapes which so many of the greens at<br />
Burnham enjoy.<br />
A full Masterplan has been developed as well, following an extensive historical<br />
assessment. That exercise revealed that the wonderful 9th green, attributed to Dr. Alister<br />
MacKenzie, was, in fact, heavily criticised when it was first opened and, as a result, was<br />
softened considerably by the Secretary.
Cȏte D’Azur, France<br />
Cannes Mougins, on France’s chic Cȏte D’Azur, is another of Harry Colt’s creations and it<br />
celebrates its centenary in 2023. Having carried out a major bunker refurbishment and<br />
reconstruction of 3 greens in 2015, the Club has ambitiously decided to plan<br />
reconstruction of their remaining greens to USGA standards.<br />
This year saw the project being planned in more detail, so that it can be completed before<br />
their landmark year. Working with Alejandro Reyes of Turfgrass Agronomy Services, the<br />
work will send the Club into its second century with the best available materials and<br />
modern grass species for their greens.
Angus, Scotland<br />
There have been two areas of input at Carnoustie in <strong>2019</strong>. The first has been the addition<br />
of some forward tees for the Championship Course to make the holes more playable for<br />
shorter hitters.<br />
The second project has been to assess the reinstatement work which will be required to<br />
the Buddon Course when an offshore electrical cable is brought on land running along<br />
Carnoustie’s boundary.
Essex, England<br />
A Masterplan was produced for Chelmsford back in 2009 with a later update in 2012<br />
looking at various aspects of the course. Earlier this year, the Club decided to undertake a<br />
renovation of its bunkers starting with six holes. A new style of bunker has been<br />
recommended that is much more visually stimulating as well as being much easier to<br />
maintain. New drainage and a new liner have been used to ease the maintenance burden<br />
of the bunkers.
Wales<br />
With the Curtis Cup coming to Conwy in 2020, the Club felt that the bunkering of the<br />
course needed to be reviewed. A plan was produced and has been implemented.
Denmark<br />
Copenhagen is the oldest club in Scandinavia and is set in the Royal Deer Park, the<br />
Dyrhavn, just outside the city. A major programme was undertaken by <strong>Mackenzie</strong> & <strong>Ebert</strong><br />
in 2009, opening in 2010, and plans are afoot for a 10 year review of that work and also to<br />
upgrade the practice facilities further.
Tuscany, Italy<br />
An incredibly large 1,500 Hectares (around 3,500 areas!) of land was inspected for a<br />
possible new course in the plains surrounding the beautiful mountainside village of<br />
Cortona in Tuscany. The plan is to renovate wonderful old Leopoldines which are large<br />
farmhouses dotted around the land to provide tourist and golfing accommodation.
East Lothian, Scotland<br />
20 years after designing Craigielaw on the banks of the Firth of Forth with Donald Steel &<br />
Company, a return was made to carry out a review to establish a 5 year plan to help<br />
improve the course further. Craigielaw has proved to be a great business success since<br />
opening with a thriving membership, strong visitor revenue and now a hotel. For the past<br />
two years, it has hosted the Scottish Seniors’ Open on the European Tour’s Staysure Tour.<br />
Scotland’s Paul Lawrie was a worthy winner.
Aberdeenshire, Scotland<br />
A return to Cruden Bay featured in the <strong>2019</strong> calendar, with advice being given on the 1st<br />
tee design and plans to re-use the original clubhouse as a starter’s hut and museum.
Cheshire, England<br />
Eaton has been steadily renovating its bunkers over the past 2 years and the autumn /<br />
winter saw another phase of work carried out. As well as re-styling the bunkers, shaping is<br />
being carried out to divert surface flow around and away from bunkers to make them<br />
easier to manage and new drainage is making them more playable through the majority of<br />
the year.
Birmingham, England<br />
The parkland course at Edgbaston was the second to last course which Harry Colt<br />
designed. The land has some lovely, flowing contours but the great find were some<br />
oblique aerial photos taken just after the Second World War which showed some<br />
wonderful bunker shapes. The Club undertook the first phase of a restoration of the great<br />
Colt shapes at the start of <strong>2019</strong> and is now underway with the second phase.
Surrey, England<br />
2018 saw the successful reopening of the renovated course at Effingham, a layout where<br />
Harry Colt’s routing genius is easy to see. The completion of the project has not slowed<br />
the Club’s ambitions however. A review has been undertaken of their practice facilities,<br />
following the removal of the tennis courts near to the 1st tee. The ample space around<br />
the Clubhouse and within the course itself means there are a number of exciting<br />
possibilities available. A second study was carried out to look at tee positions on the 13 th ,<br />
14 th and 15 th holes.
Devon, England<br />
Ongoing advice was provided to Exeter on its course and practice facilities. A major course<br />
re-alignment was completed in 2015 that both improved the course and addressed safety<br />
issues associated with new housing developments alongside the course.
Suffolk, England<br />
The Masterplan for this excellent 9 hole course in Suffolk was completed early in <strong>2019</strong>.<br />
The Club had possession of a pre-war aerial photograph of the course which showed an<br />
amazing number of bunkers and some inspired shapes. The general recommendation is to<br />
restore the former glory of the bunkering.
Lancashire, England<br />
A presentation to the members took place in June, introducing them to the ideas<br />
contained in the Masterplan. The Club has since developed a very organised programme<br />
to implement the proposals over a 6 year span, beginning this winter. Work has already<br />
taken place on the 1st, 4th, 8th and 11th holes. The alterations to the 8th will be the most<br />
notable with new tees, back and to the right, which will extend the hole and introduce a<br />
slightly different angle for the tee shot.
Middlesex, England<br />
Fulwell is one of the Clubs which has rebuilt all of its bunkers and lined them in recent<br />
years. Phase 2 was completed in 2018 and into early <strong>2019</strong> and the new bunkers came into<br />
play for the new golf season. The character of the course has been transformed by the<br />
work and it makes the course playable year-round with every bunker now positively<br />
drained and lined.
Copenhagen, Denmark<br />
Following the extensive course redevelopment in 2014, this popular Copenhagen club<br />
commissioned a tee study and is planning the addition of forward tees to cater better for<br />
the shortest players. It is also about to invest in upgrading its par three course to bring it<br />
closer to the high standards of its three nine hole layouts.
Ontario, Canada<br />
This ultra-private Club was opened for play in 2007 and is located on the beautiful glacial<br />
moraine to the north of Toronto. With the bunkers being in need of renovation, the<br />
opportunity was taken to roughen up their edges. The other proposal which may be taken<br />
forward in the future is to create extensive sand areas throughout the course. The 11th<br />
hole has seen a trial of this and the results are very promising.
Ontario, Canada<br />
Members of Hamilton G&CC approved the implementation of the Golf Course<br />
Improvement Plan just weeks before the Club hosted the <strong>2019</strong> RBC Canadian Open in<br />
early June. A couple of days were spent at the Club during the tournament and the course<br />
received excellent reviews from the players. Harry Colt designed the 18 holes over which<br />
this year’s championship was first played at HGCC in 1919.<br />
The plan is to rebuild and reshape the greens and to restore a more naturalised style of<br />
bunkering which Colt described on his originals plans that reside in the clubhouse.<br />
Construction started in October and will be continuous throughout 2020 and part of 2021<br />
until all 27 holes are completed. Members will be able to use 18 holes of the course with<br />
temporary greens on occasions during the project.
Surrey, England<br />
One of the first tasks of <strong>2019</strong> was the production of a Historical Research Report on the<br />
development of the course at Hankley Common. It was fascinating to see the holes that<br />
Harry Colt had added to the original layout. The bunker style seen on those new holes was<br />
then used as inspiration within the Masterplan produced for the course later in the year.<br />
The contents of this Masterplan were presented to the membership in November with the<br />
Club looking to make a change to the bunker style, focusing on the incorporation of<br />
heather into their design.
Buckinghamshire, England<br />
Harewood Downs took the bold decision to rebuild all of its bunkers in one season, using a<br />
solid porous liner which was implemented in the summer and autumn of 2018. It is one of<br />
the few clubs to have taken “The Big Bang Approach” in doing all of its bunkers in one go.<br />
Spring <strong>2019</strong> saw the course re-open for full play.<br />
After another winter deluge, a Club Twitter post on 13 th December read “Despite the<br />
20mm of rainfall last night we are OPEN, our USGA spec greens are still rolling well, the<br />
investment in our bunkers last winter means they are all playable.” That is why Clubs<br />
invest – to offer their members and guests the best possible product day in day out, year<br />
in year out. This shows the value that Clubs see in bunker liners.
Sussex, England<br />
The Club continued to seek advice on the its existing course now that the forced<br />
relocation has been put on hold.
Lancashire, England<br />
Research was carried out into the history of the course in late 2018 before a Masterplan<br />
was submitted to the Club in early <strong>2019</strong>. A great amount of interest quickly developed<br />
within the Club and it was decided to undertake an ambitious first phase of the project<br />
which began in November. New dunes are being created between the 1st and 9th holes<br />
and along the right side of the 18th. The practice tee is also being made much larger to<br />
increase capacity during the many major tournaments that the Club hosts.
Surrey, England<br />
A Course Audit was submitted to Hindhead in 2010 and, ever since, the Club has<br />
implemented elements of the report each winter. This year the focus fell upon the<br />
demanding long par 3 8th, whose green is so steep that there are almost no pin positions.
Hyogo, Japan<br />
<strong>Mackenzie</strong> & <strong>Ebert</strong> made the first visit to Hirono in November 2017. Less than 2 years<br />
later, on 1st October <strong>2019</strong>, the Club Chairman, Suzuki-san, hit the first tee shot on the<br />
restored course. Charles Hugh Alison, Harry Colt’s partner, designed the course in 1931<br />
and it became the most famous course in Japan. The Club has excellent photographic<br />
records of the earliest days of the course along with Alison’s original plans and this<br />
prompted a desire to restore it to its former glory. All of the greens have been rebuilt,<br />
every bunker reformed, fairways widened to their former size and many trees cleared to<br />
open up views between holes and beyond. New bunkers have also been added to ensure<br />
that the test is worthy of the modern day elite players.
Moray, Scotland<br />
Not as well known as many of its North of Scotland coastal neighbours, Hopeman was a<br />
rewarding new discovery earlier this year. The course is situated overlooking the Moray<br />
Firth. The plan was to give the Club a vision for the future to help it compete in an area<br />
with considerable competition between clubs. The concluding report recommended<br />
moving a hole from the inland side of the course to an area with glorious views down into<br />
a bay that feels more like The Algarve than Moray. Another recommendation is to make<br />
more of the coastal frontage as it is a such a strength of the course.
Yorkshire, England<br />
Having presented the Historic Research Study and revamped the 6 th hole in 2018, this year<br />
saw the full Course Audit presented. The Club has strong connections with Dr Alister<br />
MacKenzie and an aim of the report is to restore his work as far as possible and to use his<br />
design philosophy to shape future development in other areas of the course.
Derbyshire, England<br />
Kedleston Park in Derby commissioned work to its 8 th hole, the only hole not completed<br />
when the rest of the bunkers were rebuilt between 2013 and 2015 in preparation for the<br />
course hosting Open Championship Regional Qualifying. The plan for the 8 th involves<br />
bunker adjustments and reshaping the green surrounds.<br />
Kedleston Park is another Club that has reaped rewards from investment in its course.<br />
Their bunker project actively attracted new members to the point where the membership<br />
was filled, entry fees were re-introduced and a waiting list opened. The final phases of the<br />
project were funded on the back of the new members joining.
Hafnarfjordur, Iceland<br />
Keilir, outside Reykjavik, continued the transformation of its back nine in <strong>2019</strong> with the<br />
construction of a new 13 th green and 14 th tee. The back nine sits on a headland which<br />
once was home to all eighteen holes. They built an exciting lava nine in the 1990s and<br />
<strong>Mackenzie</strong> & <strong>Ebert</strong> have been advising on how to make best use of the ocean frontage on<br />
the back nine, while leaving room for a short nine at the same time. Plans are afoot to<br />
build a new 18 th green in 2020, with the new 17 th hole the year after that.<br />
An added benefit of working in Iceland in summer are the incredible sunrises and sunsets<br />
on clear days. This one happened to be on Midsummer Day at 2.40am. A great memory.
Jersey, Channel Islands<br />
The historic links at La Moye was a new appointment in 2018 and work on a long term<br />
plan for the course was undertaken. The exercise involves working through layout options<br />
and advising on bunker styles and positioning. The course is blessed with lots of space but<br />
the challenge is knowing how best to use it. Work on the study continues.
Peru<br />
Following two years of major work in Lima, involving a new state-of-the-art driving range<br />
as well as adjustments to the course, the final phase of work is now complete. This was<br />
smaller in scale and involved the adjustment of the bunkering on a number of holes on<br />
the back nine. The Club set out with an aim to increase junior participation as well as<br />
making the course and practice facilities more attractive to organisers of major<br />
tournaments. The Club has most definitely succeeded in the first instance with junior<br />
participation more than double what it was prior to the new driving range opening. It is<br />
hoped the second aim will be achieved in the not too distant future.
Hampshire, England<br />
Liphook celebrates it centenary in 2023 and, for that landmark year, the Club wanted to<br />
tackle the road crossings that have been a weakness of the course layout since its<br />
inception. The old A3 divides the course and the Club’s ambition is to build tunnels to<br />
eliminate the crossings. Planning for one at the 9 th green is well advanced.<br />
In parallel to the tunnel, a design has been drawn up to re-route the course to tie in with<br />
the new crossing. The present 9 th green and 10 th tee are close to a car park at the far end<br />
of the course and the re-routing has the present 9 th becoming the 14 th . New 8 th and 9 th<br />
holes have been designed to bring the 9th green back close to the car park with the 10 th<br />
and 11 th holes being run together to form a strong par four.<br />
The first phase of work which involved building the new 8 th and 9 th holes, with heathland<br />
and wetland habitat creation, was completed by September <strong>2019</strong>. Phase Two is scheduled<br />
for the winter of 2020, giving plenty of time for the holes to be fully mature before 2023.
Kent, England<br />
The Historic Research Report completed in late 2018 provided a fascinating insight into<br />
the extent of the original bunkering. It revealed many large ‘crater’ style sand features<br />
that have since grown over. The Masterplan report focused on this aspect of the course<br />
with a number of restorations proposed. The Club is currently assessing how it may wish<br />
to implement the work in the near future. The Club will host the Junior Open when The<br />
Open is played at Royal St. George’s in July.
Santiago, Chile<br />
A Masterplan was finalised in 2018 and the Club began making minor changes to the<br />
course in August <strong>2019</strong> using the Masterplan as a base. Three trips have been made to<br />
Santiago this year to review a number of new tees that have been built and to review the<br />
re-bunkering of the course. With Santiago being at altitude and the Club wishing to<br />
continue to host major tournaments, there is a need to extend the course where possible<br />
and to adjust the bunkering layout to make sure the best players are tested by having to<br />
make the right decisions from the back tees.
Rutland, England<br />
Luffenham Heath is another course that has hosted Open Championship Regional<br />
Qualifying. This year saw work on a Course Audit that will form the basis of a new Course<br />
Development plan. It aims at toughening up the test for the elite players and making it a<br />
little more forgiving for the shortest players. Other recommendations include extending<br />
closely mown areas around the greens.<br />
The plan was presented to the members in November and is now undergoing a<br />
consultation period.
County Dublin, Ireland<br />
Milltown, in the heart of Dublin, is a highly successful Members’ Club. In 2008, a total<br />
reconstruction of their course was completed. In 2014, the Club asked for a review of the<br />
course in order to set up a five year plan. This year saw a welcome return to repeat the<br />
review and to set up a new five year plan.<br />
The report looks closely at tree management, safety issues and other small<br />
recommendations for further improvement.
Paphos, Cyprus<br />
Minthis in Cyprus is part of an extensive resort being developed high in hills above<br />
Paphos, overlooking both the sea and the Trudos Mountains. It is a heavenly spot and, if<br />
the healthy villa sales are anything to go by, many people agree. A new Village Green,<br />
Wellness Centre and Boutique Hotel are now under construction to add to the facilities.<br />
It was decided to rebuild the greens on the course so that they would be ready for the<br />
coming decades in this exciting period for the resort. The first eight greens were rebuilt<br />
and reseeded in the space of six weeks during the summer and re-opened in October.<br />
Phase 2 will take place in 2020.<br />
Another great achievement for the Golf Club was achieving the Golf Environment<br />
Organisation’s On Course Certification, the first course in Cyprus to do so. To cap things<br />
off, IAGTO, the International Association of Golf Tour Operators awarded the Club its 2020<br />
Sustainability Award for Resource Efficiency.
West Midlands, England<br />
Another Club to take the bold step of rebuilding all of its bunkers in one year is Moor Hall<br />
in Sutton Coldfield. Work started in early August and was nearing completion by the end<br />
of the year. The Historic Research Study showed that the course was once characterised<br />
by huge and boldly shaped bunkers. The chosen design reinstates this character while<br />
reducing sand area at the same time.<br />
The course should be fully playable again during May, less than 10 months after starting<br />
work.
Edinburgh, Scotland<br />
The second and final phase of bunker remodelling has recently been completed.<br />
Highlights this year include the reconstruction of the dramatic diagonal line of bunkers on<br />
the par five 8 th and the restoration of the par 3 10 th on this picturesque par 3 with the city<br />
and Lothian coastline as a backdrop. The 12 th is another hole which has been transformed<br />
with the addition of two new drive bunkers, a revised back tee and clearance which allows<br />
everyone to see the hole in front of them.<br />
Mortonhall is now in a strong position when competing with its neighbours as their<br />
bunkers are largely weather-proof, having been drained and lined as part of the project.
Nairnshire, Scotland<br />
The start of the year saw the completion of the first phase of an ambitious course<br />
development programme. It included new greens at the 1st and 7th, the extended and<br />
rebuilt green on the 14th, the adjustment of a number of green surrounds and the<br />
conversion of all fairway bunkers to a more naturalised style, moving away from<br />
revetment. The thrust of the proposals is to make the course more forgiving for the<br />
shorter players and to make it tougher for the longest and most skilful players. Nairn has a<br />
proud record of hosting major events, such as the Walker Cup, and it has been honoured<br />
to be selected to host the 2021 Amateur Championship so it will soon be tested by the<br />
world’s top amateurs.<br />
In November, the second phase of the project started with work continuing on the 2nd<br />
3rd, 4th, 9th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 15th, 17th and 18th holes.
Nairnshire, Scotland<br />
A brief visit was made to Nairn Dunbar, which is a co-host of the 2021 Amateur<br />
Championship, to advise on a safety issue on their 15th hole.
Netherlands<br />
The likelihood of stringent restrictions on the use of pesticides in The Netherlands has led<br />
the Club to consider a full rebuild of its greens as well as making some layout adjustments<br />
to make the best use of the incredible links land the course occupies.<br />
Prior to that, a new short game area has been built close to the clubhouse. The<br />
restrictions set by the authorities and the sensitivities of the sand dunes meant a tight<br />
working area had to be adhered to. Even so, the Club now has an excellent chipping green<br />
and a separate bunker practice green. The facility sits naturally into the surrounding<br />
landscape.
Hampshire, England<br />
The new 3rd green opened in April, less than a year after it was grassed, in time for the<br />
Club’s annual Hampshire Hog event. This was followed by the Club hosting the English<br />
Amateur along with nearby Hankley Common later in the summer.
Newcastle, England<br />
Northumberland continues to work away at the Masterplan drawn up a few years ago. In<br />
<strong>2019</strong>, the bunkers on the 12th were overhauled with the 16th due to be tackled the<br />
coming year.
Nottinghamshire, England<br />
<strong>2019</strong> has seen a Historical Assessment and Masterplan produced for this magnificent<br />
heathland course. The Club was already making great progress with returning the bunkers<br />
to their original rough-edged style with excellent results. The Masterplan has helped set<br />
the scene for the restoration of old features and the inclusion of new ones. The bare sand<br />
area theme, so appropriate for links courses, has been recommended to this inland but<br />
sandy course following the discovery that such features used to exist over the links many<br />
years ago.
Nottinghamshire, England<br />
Oakmere sits on the same wonderful seam of sand as Notts, Coxmoor and Sherwood<br />
Forest in Nottinghamshire. The Club has now completed a full bunker reconstruction<br />
programme, as well as building three new greens to eliminate two weak uphill par threes<br />
from the layout. It is gratifying, therefore, that the Club is to play host to the Midland<br />
Open, a PGA regional event for the next five years.
Ontario, Canada<br />
An exciting new commission in <strong>2019</strong> was the appointment to advise Oshawa Golf and<br />
Curling Club on a Long Term Plan for their course. Work is well advanced on this with the<br />
Historic Research Study submitted and two visits completed, which have included focus<br />
group meetings and members’ surveys. The full study will be submitted early in 2020.<br />
Oshawa was founded in 1906 by two brothers from Musselburgh in Scotland and, through<br />
their efforts, they eventually brought the great Stanley Thompson to work on their course.<br />
The Long Term Plan is being carried out to help the Club prioritise its investment as it has<br />
to replace its irrigation system shortly. It would be crazy to do that if significant design<br />
changes took place shortly afterwards. Part of the plan involves making the most of the<br />
features of the site, such as the creek and the views which are currently under-used.<br />
Proposals will be inspired by the results of the Historic Research Study.
Finland<br />
The green reconstruction programme for the Seaside Course at this 54 hole complex has<br />
continued throughout <strong>2019</strong>. The 4th, 6th and 7th greens have been the focus this year.
Gwynedd, Wales<br />
Although no commission has been made at this North Welsh Club, a passing visit was<br />
made following a recommendation that the course enjoys some stunning seaside holes.<br />
The views from the links are, as promised, are truly spectacular.
Cheshire, England<br />
Prestbury continues to plan a major bunker restoration programme on this largely<br />
untouched Harry Colt course. A budgeting exercise was undertaken and a meeting to look<br />
at phasing options took place this year. The work is scheduled to happen after the Club’s<br />
centenary in 2020.
Ayrshire, Scotland<br />
The Club commissioned a review of the pathway network with the aim being to create<br />
grass surfaces wherever possible. This aspect of the course will be brought up to the<br />
quality of the playing areas, even during the extremes of weather.
Kent, England<br />
Following two winters of major work, Princes continued the momentum this year with<br />
another round of modifications. The start of the year saw the creation of a new short par<br />
3 for the Shore Nine. This will become the 5th hole, eventually replacing the current 8th<br />
when it opens in May 2020. A stunning sand area sets the scene from the tee and the<br />
green falls away from the golfer slightly.<br />
In October, another phase began, this time involving the creation of dunes between the<br />
7th Shore (which will become the 8th) and 7th Dunes holes. The theme of tee adjustment<br />
continues with a number of holes receiving new back tees and adjusted main tees to<br />
produce more attractive views of the holes. The expansion of the sandy landscape also<br />
continues with a number of low lying sandy areas added on both the Shore and Dunes<br />
nines. These are likely to sit wet in their bases in the winter leading to dune slacks being<br />
developed, a valuable ecological habitat.<br />
Photograph courtesy of Jason Livy
Reykjavik, Iceland<br />
Reykjavik Golf Club is negotiating with the City to broker a deal that would allow it to<br />
rebuild its Grafarholt Course, which is the oldest in Iceland. A further meeting was held<br />
with the Club to discuss the project but it will not progress until the deal is finalised.
Kent, England<br />
This classic parkland course was redesigned in the 1990s when the Channel Tunnel Rail<br />
Link was routed through the edge of the Club’s property. This led to a major<br />
reconfiguration of the course layout and a new clubhouse location. The Club will host<br />
Regional Open Qualifying from next year, so a visit was made to assess a few areas of the<br />
course. One theme was to remove some greenside bunkers, turning them into closely<br />
mown green surrounds instead.
Leicestershire, England<br />
Bunker work was completed on the 7th and 12th holes following the recommendations of<br />
the Course Audit adoptedd in 2017.
Kent, England<br />
During the winter of 2018/19, three major projects were carried out at this past Open<br />
venue. Firstly, the par 5 3rd hole was realigned from the tee and extended.<br />
Secondly, the 16th has finally been settled as a par 5, with the restoration of a left hand<br />
fairway option for the second shots. Once the left hand fairway route on the 16th was<br />
discovered in aerial photographs from the 1940s during the historical research carried out,<br />
the Club decided to set about its restoration. The left hand section of fairway provides a<br />
great view of the green from high ground and also a dry route to play the hole should the<br />
low lying right hand route suffer flooding as is inclined to happen on occasions. This new<br />
arrangement is much more appropriate for a hole enjoying such a fantastic green<br />
complex.<br />
Finally, a new short game faciity has been built close to the Clubhouse. This offers a large<br />
area with two greens. This has allowed the Club to more than double the size of the<br />
practice putting green.<br />
Photograph courtesy of Jason Livy
County Down, Northern Ireland<br />
The world famous reputation of this great links has not stopped the Club from taking an<br />
admirably forward thinking approach to the course. A historical assessment and<br />
subsequent full review of the course were commissioned and a set of proposals provided<br />
for the Club’s consideration. Some smaller projects have been undertaken at the end of<br />
the year and into 2020.
Sutherland, Scotland<br />
The idea of moving the 7th hole to the right was included in the Vision Document that the<br />
members of Royal Dornoch approved in 2015. Work started on the new hole in 2018 and<br />
continued apace this year with the fairway and drive bunkers and the main tees being<br />
built. The programme was accelerated as the new green had established so quickly that it<br />
was entirely feasible to have the whole hole ready for the Boys Home Internationals next<br />
September and for the Senior Amateur in 2021.<br />
The hole plays along the top of the scarp offering the same incredible view along the<br />
length of the hole that visitors have long enjoyed and photographed on the 7th tee. Sea<br />
and sky are the backdrop to the green, which is a copy of the old green. The new hole is<br />
now being played over the winter, albeit using mats to protect the young turf.<br />
Plans for the new clubhouse are also far advanced and the autumn saw a huge new<br />
practice putting green being built, moving it away from the proposed clubhouse working<br />
area. The turf from the old 7th green was used to turf it.
Wirral, England<br />
The Club and The R&A have undertaken a full review of Royal Liverpool as an Open venue<br />
with the return of the Championship in 2022 in mind. This has included an assessment of<br />
the course, leading to the implementation of some adjustments through the autumn /<br />
winter of <strong>2019</strong> / 20.
Lancashire, England<br />
Advice has continued to be provided to Royal Lytham through <strong>2019</strong>. The work has<br />
included the reconfiguration of the 1st tee and the creation of bare sand areas at the 15th<br />
and 17th holes. This restores features which were created originally before the 1926<br />
Open, which was won by Bobby Jones.
Devon, England<br />
A stark reminder of the challenges facing many links is illustrated at Royal North Devon.<br />
The Club has lost its 8 th tee and the 7 th green is having to be abandoned because of coastal<br />
erosion. A plan was drawn up and approved by the members in 2018. This year, work<br />
started on bunker construction on the new par five 7 th and the 9 th which is dropping down<br />
from being a par five to a par four.
Wales<br />
On entering the changing rooms at Royal Porthcawl, there is a fantastic plan of the course<br />
on the wall which was drawn by the great Golden Age architect, Tom Simpson. This shows<br />
beautiful bunker shapes, with no formal lines or shapes. The advice to the Club has been<br />
to return the bunkers to these irregular forms and the Club has been implementing this<br />
for many of the existing bunkers. The overall plan drawn up for the Club includes<br />
additional bunkers and the re-opening of old ones and work was underway at the end of<br />
the year to complete the set of proposals which also includes the formation of a dune<br />
ridge to the left of the 6th fairway.
County Antrim, Northern Ireland<br />
It was quite an experience to be present at Royal Portrush for the full week of The Open.<br />
In many ways, this saw the culmination of the project to make the Dunluce Course ready<br />
for the greatest championship in the world. There was a ‘feel good’ feeling about the<br />
project from its inception and that continued through to The Open itself on so many levels<br />
and particularly with the performance of Shane Lowry in lifting the Claret Jug.<br />
For the Club, an assessment of how the Valley Course could be improved has been the<br />
subject of a comprehensive report.
Kent, England<br />
The golfing world will descend on this wonderful corner of Kent for The 149th Open next<br />
July. The magnificent dunes will be covered with spectators given the sell-out of tickets<br />
which has already occurred. Adjustments to the course have been minimal but an old bare<br />
sand area has been restored at the 5th hole and bunkering revisions will mean that there<br />
will be an opportunity for a more aggressive strategy at the 18th hole than before. The<br />
practice facilities have also been upgraded in a quest to take The Open experience for<br />
players and spectators to the highest level possible.
Ayrshire, Scotland<br />
A long term project at Royal Troon has been to see how the Club’s third course, the<br />
Craigend, can be improved significantly and to ensure that it does not suffer damage when<br />
The Open visits as the TV Compound sits upon it. The solution, which has been generated<br />
following discussions with the Club and The R&A, will see the Craigend Course relocated<br />
on the current 9th hole of the Portland Course and the Portland Practice Area. Hence,<br />
there are some layout changes to the Portland required, which will also be beneficial to its<br />
layout. A further advantage of the scheme is that some of the Craigend greens will work<br />
perfectly as the target greens for The Open Practice Ground.
Norfolk, England<br />
The Club commissioned a Historical Research Report in February of this year. Aerials from<br />
as early as the 1920s alongside archive ground photography painted a picture of a course<br />
not dissimilar to the one seen today. The landscape used to be much sandier in nature,<br />
however, and many large, dramatic bunkers have been lost. The Masterplan produced in<br />
May used this information for inspiration with the restoration of a number of lost bunkers<br />
and sandy waste areas being at the core of the proposals.
Surrey, England<br />
Phase Four of the extensive restoration and renovation of Royal Wimbledon is nearing<br />
completion, with the 2 nd and 5 th holes being worked on. Bunkers are being re-sited and<br />
rebuilt, greens extended and paths removed and others rebuilt along with a further round<br />
of heathland restoration.
East Sussex, England<br />
Advice has been provided to the Club regarding long term planning issues.
Devon, England<br />
Ongoing advice is being given to Saunton on its courses. This follows a really successful<br />
hosting of The R&A Boys Amateur Championship in August <strong>2019</strong>. In recent years,<br />
bunkering work was carried out on the 11 th , 14 th and 16 th on the East Course and an<br />
extensive package of work was undertaken on the West Course.
Cumbria, England<br />
A further visit was made to Silloth to advise on ongoing improvements and how best to<br />
address some safety concerns.
Fife, Scotland<br />
The Short Game Area at the Practice Facility underwent a major reconfiguration prompted<br />
by an extension of the car parking area. More greens have been added and green surfaces<br />
and green surrounds shaped to give a greater variety of links shots to practise, replicating<br />
those found out on the courses at St. Andrews .
Berkshire, England<br />
General advice was provided at this classic Harry Colt heathland layout., who described it<br />
as his 'least bad course'. Many regard it as one of the very best examples of his great<br />
work.
Sitges, Spain<br />
Terramar enjoys a beautiful coastal setting and has now hosted a European Ladies Tour<br />
event in each of the past three years. At the same time, a project to improve the course<br />
with two new holes has been undertaken and the holes are now growing in well despite<br />
experiencing some exceptionally heavy rains during the grow-in period. The new holes will<br />
open after next year’s Ladies tournament and the next phase of the development of the<br />
course is now being planned.
County Dublin, Ireland<br />
The first visit made to The Island was in late 2016 and a Masterplan report was produced<br />
for the Club soon after. The winters of 2017 and 2018 saw minor alterations to the<br />
bunkering on a number of holes, including the 5th, 10th and 15th.<br />
<strong>2019</strong> has seen a major project undertaken. The dramatic links is known for its strong back<br />
nine, so the Masterplan focused on raising the standard of the front nine so that it will<br />
match the same high quality. The key to this was the incorporation of the ‘19th’ hole par 3<br />
as the 4th hole, allowing new 8th and 9th holes to be built replacing the old 7th to the 9th<br />
holes. This phase of the project is currently progressing well with the new 5th, 8th and 9th<br />
greens completed and turfed. The new holes are due to be open in May 2020.
Cornwall, England<br />
The penultimate stage of the ambitious reworking of Trevose took place in the autumn,<br />
with the reconstruction of the 11 th green complex. It was a long par three with a brutally<br />
unfair green that punished shorter players particularly harshly. The new green is much<br />
fairer and more forgiving as befits a long par three.<br />
The European Seniors’ Staysure Tour event, the Farmfoods European Legends Links<br />
Championship, was played here in June and was a great success. The event returns in<br />
2020. Further work on the Environmental Management Plan continues and it is great<br />
news that the Club has been nominated for the Outstanding Environmental Project of the<br />
Year 2020 in the Golf Environment Awards.
Ayrshire, Scotland<br />
Trump Turnberry continues to strive to improve both the Ailsa and King Robert The Bruce<br />
courses. It shows that however highly a course is ranked, keeping an eye on how to take<br />
the facilities to the next level is always important. The Ailsa will benefit from the opening<br />
up of some more sand areas and the rough edged bunkers have been made more playable<br />
where the lips had become too eroded by the wind. The King Robert The Bruce will<br />
benefit from some bunker and tee changes.
Finland<br />
The Classic Course at Vierumaki, which enjoys a wonderful combination of sandy<br />
heathland, pine trees and rock outcrops, now has a full set of reconstructed greens. The<br />
programme, carried out over a number of years, had the objective of improving the<br />
greens agronomically and also from a design perspective.
Wirral, England<br />
Wallasey, where the Stableford scoring format was invented by Dr. Stableford in the early<br />
1930s, has long been known as one of the great links. The course enjoys some excellent<br />
duneland. The project which has been assessed for the Club is in its formative stages, but<br />
would potentially provide a good practice ground close to the clubhouse.
Surrey, England<br />
Work continued advising Walton Heath on its courses. A presentation was made to the<br />
members on the results of the Historic Research Study and on layout options. Work will is<br />
ongoing in 2020 on all aspects of the courses to allow a long term plan to be drawn up.
Surrey, England<br />
West Byfleet is working away at its bunker renovation programme and is also adding back<br />
tees on a number of holes. This follows the production of a Course Audit in 2011, which<br />
was then updated in 2017. It is the bible for the work.<br />
The 7th, 8th, 14th and 17th were tackled in 2018 and re-opened in <strong>2019</strong>. This year, back<br />
tees are being added on the 9th, 15th and 16th and bunkers reworked on the 2nd, 9th,<br />
15th and 16th.
Ayrshire, England<br />
A full review of Western Gailes was carried out this year and work started on improving<br />
the practice facilities in the autumn with a new short game green being built and the<br />
practice ground being widened and a new practice tee being created. Work was also<br />
undertaken on the 6 th and 7 th holes.<br />
A large package of work is to be executed in the New Year to convert the fairway bunkers<br />
into a naturalised style. Work will start on the front nine and the 18 th .
Sussex, England<br />
The Club has now been renovating its bunkers, as the budget allows, for the past 3<br />
winters. These alterations have been inspired by the findings of the Historic Research<br />
Report completed in 2017. A process of returning the bunkers to a style similar to that<br />
seen when Harry Colt completed the course in 1923. The current work involves the 2nd,<br />
9th, 10th and 18 holes.<br />
An active programme of tree management is also taking place in order to return the<br />
course to its downland character.<br />
Photo by Kevin Murray<br />
From Worthing Golf Club
Hirono<br />
Appendix 1 - Hirono Portfolio<br />
The Restoration Of Charles Hugh Alison’s Hirono Reimagined By<br />
<strong>Mackenzie</strong> & <strong>Ebert</strong>
Contents<br />
Historic 1933 Photos<br />
Before, During & After Photos<br />
Timelapse Video For Holes No.5<br />
Timelapse Video For Holes No.18<br />
Photos By Miyamoto-san<br />
Hole By Hole Drone Photos<br />
Hole By Hole Drone Comparison Videos<br />
PLEASE CLICK A TITLE
Historic 1933 Hirono Club Opening Photos
No.1
No.2
No.3
No.4
No.5
No.6
No.7
No.8
No.9
No.10
No.11
No.12
No.13
No.14
No.15
No.16
No.17
No.18
No.18
Before, During & After Photos
Hole No.5
1933<br />
Restoration Of The 5th Hole At Hirono Golf Club
November 2017<br />
Before Restoration<br />
Restoration Of The 5th Hole At Hirono Golf Club
April <strong>2019</strong><br />
Restoration Of The 5th Hole At Hirono Golf Club
June <strong>2019</strong><br />
Restoration Of The 5th Hole At Hirono Golf Club
1933<br />
Restoration Of The 5th Hole At Hirono Golf Club
June <strong>2019</strong><br />
Restoration Of The 5th Hole At Hirono Golf Club
Hole No.7
1933<br />
Restoration & Improvement Of The 7th Hole At Hirono Golf Club
Restoration & Improvement Of The 7th Hole At Hirono Golf Club<br />
November 2017<br />
Before Restoration
Restoration & Improvement Of The 7th Hole At Hirono Golf Club<br />
April <strong>2019</strong>
Restoration Restoration & Improvement Of The 18th Of The Hole 18th At Hole Hirono At Hirono Golf Club Golf Club<br />
October <strong>2019</strong>
1933<br />
Restoration & Improvement Of The 18th Hole At Hirono Golf Club
Restoration Restoration & Improvement Of The 18th Of The Hole 18th At Hole Hirono At Hirono Golf Club Golf Club<br />
October <strong>2019</strong>
Hole No.13
1933<br />
Restoration & Improvement Of The 13th Hole At Hirono Golf Club
Restoration & Improvement Of The 13th Hole At Hirono Golf Club<br />
November 2017<br />
Before Restoration
Restoration & Improvement Of The 13th Hole At Hirono Golf Club<br />
March <strong>2019</strong>
Restoration Restoration & Improvement Of The 13th Of The Hole 13th At Hole Hirono At Hirono Golf Club Golf Club<br />
October <strong>2019</strong>
1933<br />
Restoration & Improvement Of The 13th Hole At Hirono Golf Club
Restoration Restoration & Improvement Of The 13th Of The Hole 13th At Hole Hirono At Hirono Golf Club Golf Club<br />
October <strong>2019</strong>
Hole No.18
Restoration & Improvement Of The 18th Hole At Hirono Golf Club<br />
Construction
1933<br />
Restoration & Improvement Of The 18th Hole At Hirono Golf Club
Restoration & Improvement Of The 18th Hole At Hirono Golf Club<br />
November 2017<br />
Before Restoration
Restoration & Improvement Of The 18th Hole At Hirono Golf Club<br />
April <strong>2019</strong>
Restoration Restoration & Improvement Of The 18th Of The Hole 18th At Hole Hirono At Hirono Golf Club Golf Club<br />
October <strong>2019</strong>
1933<br />
Restoration & Improvement Of The 18th Hole At Hirono Golf Club
Restoration Restoration & Improvement Of The 18th Of The Hole 18th At Hole Hirono At Hirono Golf Club Golf Club<br />
October <strong>2019</strong>
Hole No.5 Timelapse Video
Hole No.18 Timelapse Video
Photos by Miyamoto-san
No.1
No.2
No.3
No.4
No.5
No.6
No.7
No.7
No.8
No.9
No.10
No.11
No.12
No.13
No.13
No.13
No.14
No.15
No.16
No.17
No.18
No.18
No.18
Hole By Hole Drone Photos
No.1
No.2
No.3
No.4
No.5
No.5
No.6
No.7
No.8
No.9
No.10
No.11
No.12
No.13
No.13
No.14
No.15
No.16
No.17
No.18
No.18
No.18
PLEASE CLICK A HOLE NUMBER TO VIEW THE VIDEO
Appendix 2 - Liphook Drone Video
Appendix 3 - The Island Timelapse
Thank You For Your Attention<br />
RETURN TO START<br />
OF REVIEW