The Shire London – the sensational new golf course in north London designed by Seve Ballesteros – has opened.
More than 500 golfers teed off on the opening weekend in June 2007 as Seve’s first course in the UK welcomed its new members. The ‘Seve Masters’ golf course, an 18-hole, 7,028 yard, par 72 championship course near Barnet, opened for green fees on July 2nd 2007.
On the opening day, owners Tony and Anne Menai Davis were joined on the tee by Gonzalo Lavin, a senior director of Seve’s golf course design company Trajectory, which has created a challenging course that rewards adventurous play and that has captured the imagination of golfers worldwide.
Said Tony,: “We have provided London with a truly world-class new golf course, and a high-class dining and leisure experience. Seve’s design is challenging and beautiful, he brought his incredible flair and passion to the project. And that’s they way golfers should tackle The Shire London.
“No two consecutive holes here present the same challenge. Our course features links, parkland and stadium type holes, par 3s, 4s and 5s in equal measure, and multiple tees to suit all abilities. Where a hole invites you to be daring, it also enables you to play it safe. And when you finish your round, I think that you will remember every hole.
“Feedback from the first month has been exceptional, and we now have many golfers on our waiting list for new memberships.
“We are already booking golf events well into 2008, and although we have a small amount of capacity for parties of between 12 and 20 golfers for autumn 2007, we expect these to be taken very quickly now that the golf course is open.”
Ballesteros himself made many personal visits to north London during the design and build stage of The Shire London.
As well as the 18-hole course, The Shire London is home to the world’s first ‘Seve School of Natural Golf’; a brand new hi-tech golf teaching academy. In Autumn 2007, an accompanying nine-hole ‘Academy’ golf course – built to the same high specification as the Seve Masters course – will also open.
Construction is now complete on a new luxury clubhouse with gym, saunas and fitness room, and a glass frontage affording panoramic views of the course, particularly the photogenic 18th green with an S-shaped lake designed by Ballesteros to create a spectacular – and highly challenging – finish to the round.
Award-winning Chef at The Shire London, Antonio Dinis from Portugal, has been named one of London’s Top 10 Chefs. Dinis’ vision for the club’s dining experience complements the golfing vision of the Spanish master himself. “I cook with ambition, excitement and passion,” said Dinis. “Our menu will delight both hungry golfers and food connoisseurs. Whatever we dish, everything is freshly prepared using locally sourced produce”.
Visitor green fees on the Seve Masters course at The Shire London are £50 per round during the week and £65 per round at weekends after 1pm.
The Shire London www.seveinlondon.com