The Celtic Manor - South Wales

The Celtic Manor Resort will host The 2010 Ryder Cup matches is a major boost to Golf in Wales. The Ryder Cup being the 3rd largest sporting event after the World Cup and the Olympics. 

MJ Abbott Limited secured the contract to build 9 new holes for the Ryder Cup combining with 9 redeveloped holes previously of The Wentwood Hills Course.  Work commenced in May 2005 with the movement of some half a million cubic metres of earth. The design was commissioned by European Golf Design and shaping by Bob Harrington.  The course is opened for play in July 2007 and is called The Twenty-Ten Course.

Colin Montgomerie’s association with the Celtic Manor Resort was cemented by the announcement that he would design a signature course within the resort.  MJ Abbott commenced work on this course in July 2006.  The newly opened course features deep pot bunkers and some par 5 holes.

The Grove - Chandlers Cross, Hertfordshire

How could we imagine in July 2001 that in 5 years time the top 50 golfers in the world would be playing the course that we were about to build. In September 2006 The Grove, a 5 star hotel with a world class Spa facility and a 18 hole Championship golf course will hosted the American Express World Golf Championship. The first time that the event has been played in the UK.

In July 2001 MJ Abbott Limited was chosen to build the 18 hole championship golf course attached to the 5 star hotel - The Grove.  The construction would involve moving a quarter of a million cubic metres of earth, the design and installation of gravity and pumped drainage systems and the installation of a state of the art  Rainbird Irrigation system.  A hidden buggy track winds for 9 kilometres around the course rarely visible from the playing areas.  The work, which also included the restoration of ancient lakes and the installation of boardwalks and bridges, had to be carried out with  sensitivity on a site which featured rivers, canals, flood plain, protected species, protected trees, large tracts of ancient woodland and 50 archaeologists who discovered evidence of Neolithic and Bronze age activity, Roman remains and evidence of Saxon occupation.  To complete the work MJ Abbott had to work closely with the Environment Agency, British Waterways, Three Valleys Water and the Client to ensure that the strict planning conditions were complied with.

During the golf course grow in period MJ Abbott was asked to carry out works with the hotel main contractor Galliford Try on the hotel development.  In keeping with a 5 star development, Chelsea Flower Show Judge Michael Balston was commissioned to design a formal garden for the hotel.  MJ Abbott carried out earthworks, drainage, irrigation, pathways, turfing, water feature installation and lighting works.  The garden was awarded the prestigious BALI (British Association of Landscape Industry) Award 2005 for landscaping and presentation.

The Grove also features one of the largest Victorian walled gardens in the UK with over 3 acres of land inside the walls.  MJ Abbott carried out works to the walled garden including shoring, renovation of the Victorian glass houses, installation of  an open air heated swimming pool, services to the Gazebo bar, construction of tennis courts, irrigation, drainage, landscaping, a croquet lawn and a the development of a pottager (Kitchen garden).

It is testament to the desire and vision of the Client, the drive and skill of the contractors and the determination of The Grove staff that in five short years the venue moved from a derelict site to a 5 star facility which makes the world’s finest golfers most welcome.

Rockliffe Hall Estate

We have secured a major construction project in the North East of England, near Darlington.  This 18 hole golf course is part of a multi-million pound development by The Rockliffe Hall Estate to include the renovation of a country mansion into a 5 star hotel and spa complex with formal gardens and 18 hole golf course. 

The par 72 - 7,800 yard long golf course designed by world renowned golf course architects Hawtree Ltd under the control of their designer Marc Westinborg, will be one of the longest golf courses in the UK. 

Over 700,000 cubic metres of earth will be moved and a full land drainage and automatic irrigation system will be installed.  Due for completion in 2009 MJ Abbott Limited will complete all aspects of the construction including earth moving, shaping, drainage, irrigation, cultivation, lake construction, landscaping and early maintenance.

June 2007

Ham Manor Golf Club - West Sussex

MJ Abbott Limited carried out the reconstruction of the existing 15th Green at Ham Manor Golf Club in April 2007.  The existing green was cored out, and rebuilt to its original contours to USGA specification. The green was seeded in April 2007 and has been well received by the club and members for the excellent re-creation of the old green without its drainage problems.

Fulwell Golf Club - Middlesex

MJ Abbott Limited were contracted to rebuild the 18th green at Fulwell Golf Club.  The existing 18th green suffered from poor drainage which meant the green was closed through large periods of the year and the members were forced to play to a ‘temporary’ green.

The green and surround were re-worked with the existing greens turf being relayed onto the new putting surface.  The works were completed in the winter of 2007, and the green is due for play later in 2008.

Uttoxeter Golf Club - Staffordshire

MJ Abbott Limited were contracted to drain the 14th fairway that has always been very wet and caused the greens staff at Uttoxeter Golf Club to close the hole regularly during winter months.  MJ Abbott were onsite for under a week, causing minimal disruption to the golf course.