Foxhills invests in its award-winning golf courses to take advantage of soaring participation in golf

This article was written by:

Jonathan Abbott,
Director

01722 716361
jonathan.abbott@mjabbott.co.uk

Foxhills Club & Resort is modernising its award-winning golf courses this winter with £500,000 invested into its ‘phase two’ of improvements.

The enhancement and renovation of seven holes on its Longcross Course, renowned as one of Surrey’s top tree-lined layouts, should be completed in March under the leadership of director of golf, Sean Graham, and courses and estate manager, Derrick Johnstone.

Bunker shape and positioning (more than 20 bunkers are being reconstructed), green sizes, shapes and contouring as well as herringbone drainage and irrigation upgrade are taking place, while tee positions will also change on several holes to bring hazards more in play and encourage more strategy and creativity throughout the round.

Following the success of phase one and the opening of the new signature 16th par-three, Foxhills will also be developing a signature hole on the front nine, with the ninth green being completely redesigned and rebuilt, almost doubling in size, with new bunkering on the front left to protect the green and provide a different challenge.

Director of golf, Sean Graham, said: “With interest in golf at record levels, the ambition is to continue to cement our place as one of the best golf courses in the country. This investment will ensure that the courses at Foxhills are enjoyable for all levels of golfer; from the experienced player to those earlier in their golfing journey. There has never been a more exciting time for golf at Foxhills and we’re looking forward to unveiling the outcome of phase two to our members and guests early in the new year.”

Foxhills has so far invested more than £2 million as part of a major five-year plan to improve the year-round playability and enjoyment of its two Championship courses which will make them more suited to the modern style of the game and to players of all handicaps. The project includes the biggest structural changes to the Longcross and Bernard Hunt courses since they were designed by Fred Hawtree and opened for play in 1975.

The same industry-leading team has been assembled to deliver the second stage of the vision. They include architects, European Golf Design, the brains behind the recent Ryder Cup host venue, Marco Simone, as well as Celtic Manor 2010 and Le Golf National, Paris. Foxhills will also continue to use the services of long-term partner, MJ Abbott, one of the most highly-regarded golf construction firms and turf specialists, with experience building the 2010 course at Celtic Manor, The Grove and the rebuild of the West Course at Wentworth.

As part of the upgrades, the best-in-class greenkeeping equipment has been purchased from leading suppliers, Toro and John Deere, which will elevate the conditioning and maintenance to even higher standards.

This article first appeared in GreenKeeping digital edition.