Golf in Wales is already benefiting from The Ryder Cup – and Swan Golf Designs has been providing consultancy and design services to a handful of projects in the south of the principality, including several financed by the Ryder Cup Wales Legacy Fund.
The recent opening of the nine-hole, par-three course at Ty Croes Golf Centre, Ammanford – which was reclaimed from a previously abandoned site – follows work on a similar facility at Parc Bryn Bach, Tredegar, which opened in March 2008.
Golf Development Wales (GDW) also engaged the services of the practice to create the concept and detail design of Rhondda Golf Club’s chip-and-run course, designed for short-game improvement and to encourage juniors who haven’t previously had access to the game.
The course is currently in the advanced stages of grow-in and its aim of making golf more accessible was endorsed by Welsh Assembly Government Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones on a visit to the club.
Swan Golf Designs has also been involved in one of the largest grant awards by the Ryder Cup Wales Legacy Fund panel which was given to Gnoll Country Park, Neath, to examine the feasibility of renovating its existing nine-hole par-three course.
Nigel Henbury, Swan Golf Designs’ senior architect, said: “The profile of Welsh sport is gaining momentum and with the support of the Ryder Cup Wales Legacy Fund golf has achieved prominence in current development programmes.
“This is testament to the initiative of Golf Development Wales and its work to extend, expand and broaden the country’s golfing stock in order to encourage greater participation in the game.
“The projects have been a pleasure to work on and created a real feeling that we have helped GDW to achieve the objective of creating affordable project models, built by local companies for the local communities.
“It is everybody’s hope that, once The 2010 Ryder Cup has been played, these facilities continue as a true legacy.”
Swan Golf Designs has worked on more than 300 golf projects over the last three decades, including assignments on five different continents.
The practice aims to provide a superior level of golf course through the personal service of its dedicated team of architects and is devoted to the principle of making courses fit seamlessly within their landscape.
Swan Golf Designs www.swangolfdesigns.com
2010 Ryder Cup www.rydercupwales2010.com