Cowdray Golf Club in West Sussex has opened a new par-3 course, topping off a year of considerable investment into its golf experience.
Having undergone extensive planning, the re-imagined short course is a creation of five new USGA specification greens and greenside bunkers, each reflecting a similar green complex on the main course at Cowdray.
In addition, a new short-game area has been delivered, complete with new practice green and bunker.
Cowdray has created a new Academy Membership category for the Par-3 Course, which they hope will resonate with the local community and those keen to learn the game. The membership includes unlimited play on the Par-3 Course, use of practice facilities, as well as preferential rates for the driving range and introductory golf lessons. Pricing starts at £300, with a visitor green fee costing from £10 for juniors.
The par-3 layout was inaugurated by the Cowdray greenkeeping team – led by course manager Jonathan Smith – who were the first to experience the course they have worked tirelessly to perfect.Tim Allen, director of golf at Cowdray, said: “The new academy set-up has been in the planning for some time, so it’s a thrill to see it come to fruition and our members and guests enjoying the experience. Through this facility, Cowdray will continue its good work engaging with the local community and schools, becoming more inclusive and taking golf to a wider audience.”
Some of the team members at Cowdray who were involved with the development of the new short courseCowdray’s Course Manager Jonathan Smith in action on the short course that he helped create
The new Par-3 Course and practice facilities are the icing on a significant golf investment and improvement plan at Cowdray, which has seen Swan Golf Designs – led by William Swan – oversee a transformation of its 18-hole downland course.
The most notable changes are to the bunkering, with all having been reconstructed, reshaped and integrated into the downland landscape through the use of native grass borders. A new ninth tee has been constructed and new sensitive EcoPath recycled rubber pathways have been installed throughout.
Elsewhere, Swan Golf Designs created a new ‘heart of the course’ by restoring the famed double green for holes seven and 14, created a new seating area at the halfway hut and have overseen landscape management throughout the course.
