Leading golf course architect Tom Mackenzie has been commissioned to supervise a major course refurbishment programme at Golf At Goodwood, as the Chichester-based club seeks to improve its chances of hosting a professional event in the near future.
Mackenzie’s firm, MacKenzie & Egbert, began phase one of the bunker refurbishment programme on the award-winning 7,104 yard Downs Course at the end of September, with the second phase expected to get underway in the autumn next year.
MacKenzie, who has more than 25 years experience in the industry and is a member of the European Institute of Golf Course Architects, has researched and studied James Braid’s original design for Goodwood’s Downs Course and intends to retain the essential character of the original concept, while enhancing the challenge for the modern game.
Stuart Gillett, general manager of Golf At Goodwood, said: “MacKenzie & Ebert have an outstanding reputation in the golf industry, and their appointment reaffirms our long-term commitment to take our golf business to the next level. The plan is to relocate some bunkers and in other areas increase their visibility and make them strong and distinctive features of the course.”
Speaking about the project, Mackenzie said: “Anyone who knows the Goodwood Estate know that they do everything well. We are honoured to be part of the next phase of the development of the Downs Course in the estate’s continued quest for improvement of their golf facilities. Being a Chichester-based firm, we know the course really well and look forward to working sympathetically to build on the success that it has already achieved.”