Dear Members,
Below you can read the latest updates on two of our key course projects:
- Project Iconic 2024/25 – Works Update: Progress on landscape enhancements, including restored views and replanting efforts
- Access Path Reconstruction – Flood Conformance: Essential adjustments to improve flood resilience and course accessibility
Project Iconic 2024/25
Works Update
As we wrap up the first year of our iconic landscape plan, I wanted to provide a quick update on the progress made over the autumn and winter months, as well as the next steps. Despite the challenging winter weather, we’ve actually accomplished more than anticipated—a positive outcome for the project. The clearing work is now complete, leaving us with ample time to prepare for the season ahead.
When you return to the club, you’ll notice a dramatic transformation. Many of the signature views that RTJ envisioned for us to reclaim are now restored for everyone to enjoy. Please keep in mind that these areas will need time to fully recover before reaching their final appearance. Your patience is appreciated as the landscape continues to evolve.
Summary of Main Works Completed
- Church 2 & 6 Lake Bank – self-set undesirable trees removed, landscape plants coppiced, soil modification for expanded cut rough underway, location(s) of new semi-mature trees identified
- Garden 2 & Church 9 Gorse – all gorse removed, ground re-shaped to soften, drainage replaced, location(s) of new semi-mature trees identified, final finish to cut playing rough
- Entrance Driveway – self set undesirable trees removed, landscape plants coppiced, overgrown view-blocking shrubs removed, low-level landscape plants returned, bark chip spread to finish
- Many smaller areas have also been treated across the courses
Several replanting options are now being considered implemented based on the specific needs of each area. These may include:
- Returning to cut playing rough
- Sowing fescue long rough
- Planting “Rockstar” semi-mature trees (August 2025)
- Establishing wildflower areas
- Allowing coppiced landscaping plants to regenerate naturally
- All decisions will continue to be made in consultation with the architect’s recommendations and many are explained in the landscaping plans and notes communicated in October
Bruce Charlton of RTJ Design will be visiting in late March to continue advising on replanting strategies and to review the design updates planned for Church and Mill. In the meantime, we will work tirelessly to recover the affected areas including are utilising establishment techniques such as hydroseeding—a method that sprays a liquefied grass seed mixture to accelerate growth and recovery. Any tree planting will take place in late summer to ensure the best chance of success while taking advantage of firmer ground conditions (as the trees will be large and heavy!).
We look forward to sharing these improvements with you and appreciate your patience as the landscape evolves.
Access Path Reconstruction
Flooding Conformance
We’re starting a minor project this week to lower the access road between the Member’s car park and the practice facilities, adjacent to the new putting green and Garden 1 blue tee.
This reduction in ground level was a condition of the planning permission for the new putting green and its Flood Risk Assessment (‘FRA’). Any changes to ground levels across the site must be assessed for impact upon flood water movement and storage.
The 1 in 100-year flood event, plus impact of climate change and the addition of the new putting green, showed a need to drop the access road level so that flood water can move unhindered from Garden 9 lake to Garden 1 ditch (that’s a big flood event!). Without this drop, water is redirected through the lower Garden course and would affect our neighbours adversely.
The groundworks contractor is starting this week with an expected three-week timescale from start to finish. Temporary access routes will be used while the works are underway linking clubhouse to range, Garden 9 to Clubhouse, and all routes to Garden 1 tee.
We’ve also taken into consideration the requirements of the new short game area design making sure the changes made now fit the future changes here. For example, there will now be a new formal path between the two rear tees on the left side. This path will change from secondary to primary access to the Garden course once the short game area is developed at a later date.
Thank you for your patience and understanding while we work to finish this final stage of the new putting green project.
John Lockyer
Director of Greens