Gullane Golf Club in Scotland has opened a new short game practice facility and revealed plans for the development of a new visitors’ clubhouse.
The short game zone – which allows players to strike off quality links turf from 12 designated areas and features three bunkers and five flags – adds to the club’s facilities for its membership and many visitors, while highlights its ongoing commitment to junior golf.
Developed by Edwards Design International (EDI), with input from Head PGA Professional Alasdair Good and Course Manager Stewart Duff, the new area was created from the old 18th green on Course No.3, which has now been converted into a par-3 – having been used as a practice area during the club’s staging of the respective Scottish Opens in 2018 and the men’s event in 2015. It provides players with plentiful options to hone their short game – from bunker play to bump and runs, and pitches to flop shots.
Complimenting the expanded driving range area adjacent to the opening hole on Course No.2, the facility also enhances the professional tuition service on offer via the pro shop team, as well as giving youngsters in the club’s junior ranks the opportunity to work on their game.
James Edwards, architect at EDI, said: “It is not often you get the chance to work with a golf club as visionary and progressive as Gullane. I applaud them for their trust in the EDI design process and the momentum of their execution alongside renowned shaper and construction firm, Conor J Walsh, during extremely difficult times.
“Together with the excellent team at Gullane, we collectively considered many design permutations over the last two years resulting in a final masterplan which brings all the facilities nearer the Visitors’ Clubhouse and improves the customer journey. These facilities will no doubt help to grow the game of golf, encourage participation at this world-class venue and help to safeguard the future engagement of all levels of golf at Gullane for many years to come.”
Conor Walsh added: “Gullane needed to carry out these works to accommodate the number of visitors they have coming to the golf courses every year, while also feeding the demand from the membership to have high-end practice facilities. The practice facility had to be in keeping with the surrounding links, so we translocated 3,500m² of native grasses, we built a 1,300m² putting surface and 7,000m² of surrounds. A full irrigation system was also installed. The practice facility is now the envy of all the golf clubs in the area.”
After approval from members in September to redevelop the Visitors’ Clubhouse, the club is also looking forward to pushing on with a key project due for completion by next summer. Completely updating the existing Visitors’ Clubhouse, first opened in 1993 by Ryder Cup Captain Bernard Gallacher, the remodelled building will further improve the visitor experience and reflect the status of Courses No.2 and No.3 – both outstanding lay-outs in their own right.
Club captain Adam Fox said: “The transformed visitors’ clubhouse will deliver a much better flow for visiting golfers, from arrival and check in through a new pro shop, into the revamped lounge, dining and terraced areas, out to the short game zone and driving range and, finally, onto the courses – a first-class customer experience for all. We look forward to seeing the clubhouse develop over the coming months.”