One of the world’s top golf architects has pledged to create a spectacular new challenge for golfers in the south east of England before the decade is out.
A planning application submitted by US golf architects Dye Designs to start construction of The Dye London on land near Edgware has been given the go-ahead by Barnet council.
The company’s lead architect is Pete Dye, who has been responsible for some of golf’s most celebrated courses, including The Stadium Course at Sawgrass, home to the Tour Championship, as well as other famous PGA Tour venues, including Whistling Straits, the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, Harbor Town Golf Links at Hilton Head, and Crooked Stick, but he has never previously built a layout in the United Kingdom.
The planning decision allows for the creation of an 18-hole golf course with luxury clubhouse, practice facilities, car parking and landscaping on land south east of the A41 M1 Junction 4. The application to build the new course was first submitted in 2013 by the Menai-Davis family, who opened The Shire London in 2007. The initial plans were rejected, despite the fact that the council’s own planning officer had recommended acceptance, and the Greater London Authority had also expressed support, and is has taken the best part of four years for the decision to be revised.
The Dye London, as it will be known, will be an 18-hole Tour-style course, stretching to over 7,000 yards from the championship tees, but with many other teeing options make it playable for all levels of golfer. It will mimic the proven format at The Shire, which has a small membership and seven-day access for the public.
Speaking about the new project, Tony Menai-Davis, (pictured right) said: “This is a key moment for golf development in the UK, and we are delighted” said Tony Menai-Davis. “We are looking forward to bringing Dye Designs’ stunning vision to life at a new facility which will delight all golfers, and which will also bring new visitors to the area from across the UK and Europe.”
He added: “Once open, Dye London will compete in terms of quality with other top facilities in the south, such as The Grove and Woburn, but at more accessible prices. Initial demand has been phenomenal among those who knew that it was coming, and we hope to repeat the success of The Shire, which launched with a fully-sold membership in 2007.”
Perry Dye said: ““My design team and I have been working on The Dye London golf course project over a period of five years. This special project, a family-owned Dye Designs Championship golf facility that will be open to the public, located close to one of the world’s great capital cities, will attract golfers from all over the globe.
He added: “We learned that we had been granted planning permission just a few hours after Sergio Garcia brought home his first victory in a major at Augusta, on what would have been Seve Ballesteros’s 60th birthday no less. What an amazing day in the world of golf. We cannot wait to bring this project to fruition”.
Philip Russell-Vick, planning consultant for the project, said: “The Planning Inspector has rigorously considered the issues and prepared a thorough and comprehensive decision letter. Mr Menai-Davis’ planning team is very satisfied with the outcome and we look forward to working with the London Borough of Barnet and the local community to deliver the environmental, social and economic benefits that this major project promises.”
Meanwhile, construction work on two further Menai-Davis golf facilities in London is already well underway: the 18-hole West London Links, adjacent to the West London Golf Centre, and a major adventure golf, FootGolf and junior golf joint venture with renowned adventure golf designer Oliver Mahoney.