Following their recent successful collaboration in the renovation and rebuilding of Holes 9, 10 and 11 at Real Golf de Pedreña, near Santander in northern Spain, UK based golf architects David Williams Golf Design and Madrid based contractors Garden & Golf have completed another project for the Club, in the design and construction of a Short Game Practice Area.
The three hole renovation work, constructed last autumn, opened to great acclaim from members and visitors alike earlier this summer. At the same time, construction began on the creation of the Short Game area consisting of a multi-tiered chipping green of 450 square metres in area, and a separate small putting area of approximately 175 square metres.
As David Williams, Principal of DWGD and Past President of the European Institute of Golf Course Architects explains, “The site of the short game area was an unused one close to the driving range of the Club, and between that and the junior area which has a number of excellent other sporting facilities for juniors including small football pitch, basketball court, paddle court and swimming pool. The Club felt that a joint use with a putting green aimed mainly at the juniors and a chipping area for the members would provide a fitting addition to the Club’s excellent practice facilities.”
Like the adjacent driving range, the area was reclaimed from the sea in past years and is now only just above sea level. To avoid any problems with contamination of the rootzone, it was therefore decided to raise both elements approximately a metre above the existing ground level thereby adding to the drama of the facility.
The Short Game Area now completes an excellent series of practice facilities including a 9 hole short course (designed by the great Seve Ballesteros who was, for so long, associated with the Club), a short par 3 course aimed mainly for junior practice, a full length driving range/practice ground, and now the new facility which is anticipated to be opened in late summer.
David Williams has now been called back to Pedreña to advise on the next phase of the Club’s renovation work, highlighting a further five holes to be re-built in the next phase (or phases) at the course.
David Williams Golf Design www.williamsgolf.co.uk
Real Golf De Pedreňa www.realgolfdepedrena.com
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