Continued investment and improvements into Longcross this winter

Our major golf course modernisation project continues this winter as we move onto phase two of the Longcross Course's improvements.

As part of our five-year plan to improve the year-round playability and enjoyment of the courses, making them more suited to the modern style of the game and to players of all handicaps, the project will see the biggest structural changes to our Longcross and Bernard Hunt courses since they were designed by Fred Hawtree and opened for play in 1975.

This winter will see a further £500,000 invested taking the total investment to more than £2m including the purchase of the best-in-class greenkeeping equipment from leading suppliers, Toro and John Deere.

Work on several holes of the Longcross – renowned as one of Surrey’s top tree-lined layouts and consistently featured in UK top 100 rankings – will start from 6th November and continue throughout the winter under the leadership of Director of Golf, Sean Graham, and Courses and Estate Manager, Derrick Johnstone.

Following the enhancements made last winter to holes 12, 13, 14 and 15, as well as the major renovation of our 16th par-three, we will now be moving onto holes 1, 8, 9, 10, 11, 17 and 18. Remaining work on our 12th hole with also be completed.

Bunker shape and positioning (more than 20 bunkers to be re-constructed); green size, shape and contouring; as well as herringbone drainage and irrigation upgrade work will take place over the coming months, while tee positions will also change on several holes to bring hazards more in play and encourage more strategy and creativity throughout the round.

Like 16, we will also be using this time to work on a signature hole. We have identified the 9th as part of phase two. The green will be completely redesigned and rebuilt, almost doubling in size, with new bunkering on the front left to protect the green and provide a different challenge. This will enable more pin positions therefore improving the variety of approach shots into this already fantastic hole.

The same industry-leading team has been assembled to help us deliver the second stage of this vision. Our architects are European Golf Design - the brains behind the recent Ryder Cup host venue, Marco Simone, Celtic Manor 2010 and Le Golf National, Paris - as well as designing the Marquess Course at Woburn. We will continue to use services of MJ Abbott, one of the most highly-regarded golf construction firms and turf specialists. They built the 2010 course at Celtic Manor, The Grove and rebuilt the West Course at Wentworth.

VIEW FULL PHASE TWO PROPOSAL