Stoke Park Golf Club is to invest a seven-figure sum in a completing a major renovation programme of its 27-hole course, which was first built by Harry Colt in 1908.
The first phase of works, which begins at the Buckinghamshire club this month, will involve rebuilding every bunker on the Colt course – holes one to nine – with some minor design changes being made to their shape and size before the holes reopen in April.
The strategic positioning of the bunkers will remain, however, with just a few minor tweaks. And, while the nine holes are out of action, other work will take place to enhance one of the finest parkland golf experiences in the UK.
Director of golf Stuart Collier explained: “We are very fortunate to have three nines of outstanding quality, which enables us to close one for a brief period while maintaining 18 championship holes for members and visitors.So, holes one to nine will remain closed during the works period this winter, while holes 10 to 27 – the Alison and the Lane Jackson – will ensure our members always have 18 holes on which to play.”
The course works are being carried out Leicester-based John Greasley, under the supervision of Collier and estate director Alex Millar.
Collier added: “The remit is to ensure there is consistency in shape and design for all fairway and greenside bunkers. John Greasley uses a proprietary bunker liner called HyLine, with which we have been very impressed, and which is designed to eliminate the possibility of stone contamination. Two new bunkers were constructed on the short-game area last winter, as a test, and we are very happy with both the look and playability achieved by the contractor. The bunker rebuilding will take approximately 20 weeks to complete, plus, there is a large area of turf to be laid around each trap which will need time to settle in before we are ready to re-open the golf course.”
Each of the nine-hole loops will be addressed in turn, with the Alison (holes 10-18) being renovated in winter 2016/17 and the Lane Jackson (holes 19-27) the following year.
Stoke Park chief executive Chester King added: “This significant investment is part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining Stoke Park as the ultimate golf venue. We are hugely fortunate in having a beautiful and historic golf course, but like anything precious it occasionally needs some TLC, and that is what we are looking to provide here. When it’s completed it will enhance the beauty and playability of what is already one of the best parkland courses in the country.”