Elmwood Golf Course in Cupar, in the ‘Kingdom of Fife’, Scotland, has become the latest course to commission Swan Golf Designs to evaluate its layout and to recommend improvements.
The proposals feature a lengthening of the daily fee facility, operated by Elmwood College, one of the country’s leading golf education establishments, a complete revision of bunkering strategy, and the design of comprehensive range and academy facilities.
In Germany a fifth commission in the country sees the Practice at Vestischer Golf Club at Recklinghausen in the Ruhr Valley where, because of the impending loss of land on the course, the eighteen holes layout is being redesigned to lengthen and strengthen the design. Swan’s recommendations also include new bunkering to the remaining holes, apart from the five or six being fully rebuilt, and revised range and practice facilities. It is envisaged that works will commence in 2002, and the new course will be played at the beginning of 2004.
The work at Recklinghausen complements renovation and restoration programmes being directed by Swan Golf Designs at the German Open venue courses at Golf Club Hubbelrath, Golf und Land Club Köln, Krefelder Golf Club and on the nine hole course at Niederrheinischer Golf Club in Duisburg.
The most famous and prestigious golf club of the Czech Republic, Marienbad, situated close to the German border at Marià¡nskà© Là¡znĕ and dating from 1905, has commissioned the Practice to renovate and restore the old links, host to the Czech Open. The design study will include the redesign of the existing holes, taking in new land, a further nine holes, the renovation of the present short course, and the provision of a teaching and practice centre.
After the renovation Marienbad hopes to restage the European Tour’s Czech Open on a longer, more testing, course which will show off its tradition and history.
Meanwhile in the UK renovation and restoration work continues at several clubs including Ashburnham, Brickendon Grange, Clandeboye, Holywood, Pontardawe, Sherborne and Workington where Swan Golf Designs is working with the clubs’ own greenkeeping staff on phased improvement programmes.
Swan Golf Designs Ltd www.swangolfdesigns.com