Architect Steve Marnoch has returned to High Legh Park GC, near Knutsford in the north of England, where he originally provided detail design services back in 2001, to complete a planned upgrade of the course.

“With complex ground conditions, constraints and history the development of the course was not straightforward,” said Marnoch. “There was a former military training ground where several live munitions were unearthed during the works hence the local bomb squad became a regular visitor to the site. Part of the land had restrictions on earth movement heights, there a Roman Road to be studied pre-construction and there was no available water source for the irrigation.”

Local firm Vaughan Leisure bought the course in January 2011 and new owner Andrew Vaughan has invited Marnoch back to carry out improvements. “We intend to consolidate the course from 27 holes to a really strong 18 hole layout with full sized practice facilities. There are some amazing holes which have been allowed to overgrow and the vision of Andrew Vaughan is really refreshing,” Marnoch said.

Marnoch has developed a scheme that will provide an eighteen hole, par 72 course of around 6,800 yards with a practice range near the existing clubhouse. “There were always some tight areas on the original layout. Now I have been able to demonstrate how, with minor changes, the site can accommodate a great 18 hole layout. My particular favourite is the combination of two parallel par four holes to produce one classic risk-reward hole with twin fairways – the new eighth hole.”