The old Braid course at Tyrrells Wood in Surrey is presently being restored to its traditional past by the re-creation of many of the original design features laid out by one of golf’s “greatest triumvirate” with some later help from Harry Colt.
Howard Swan, president of the British Institute of Golf Course Architects, is the man responsible for the restoration plan along with the club’s course director and course manager. It is anticipated that the overall programme will take seven years and will include the redesign of teeing areas as well as bunker restoration throughout the course and improvements in presentation.
The par 4 8th hole, one of the course’s signature holes was renovated this year to great effect with Braid’s original five fairway bunkers and the spectacle greenside bunker restored.
Swan’s work on the older courses is extensive and similar programmes to that at Tyrrells Wood are under way at Royal Wimbledon, Calcot Park, Workington, Wearside, West Essex, Reykjavik and Hubbelrath in Germany.
“It is a great privilege to work on these old courses,” says Howard Swan, “bringing them up to date and setting out a future for them on a 5 or 10 year horizon, whilst respecting their tradition, history and the spirit of the original design.”