British firm Swan Golf Designs has been appointed to design the new 27 hole Mysore Golf Community in southern Indian by developer Sastry Development Group of Companies. Set in 550 acres of rolling countryside just west of the city the development will include an 18 hole course of tournament standard, a comprehensive academy with an academy course and a First Golf Course for beginners to the game and specifically for the local population. Principal Howard Swan visited the site in mid- September after the formal signing of the design contract. Work will begin immediately with construction anticipated to start before the end of 2007 and lasting for some 18 months.

The Mysore project is the second for Swan Golf Designs in India with the practice already working of the renovation of the Karnataka Golf Association course in Bangalore, where the first phase of the project is scheduled to open for play in early November.

James Edwards, project architect for both courses, said: " India has such an exciting potential to expand its golfing stock in modern times. It has, of course, some of the world's oldest courses, and we are delighted to be there as professional golf course architects moving forward so strongly." Swan is seen in the picture with local architects who will design the boutique hotel, spa and real estate in the development together with Sastry Group's golf consultant, Nandan Heblikar.