Foxhills Club & Resort in Surrey, UK is set to undertake a major golf course modernisation project, led by its new director of golf Sean Graham and carried out by European Golf Design (EGD). 

Renovations will take place on both of the club’s 18-hole courses, the Longcross and the Bernard Hunt, which were originally designed by Fred Hawtree and opened in 1975. 

EGD’s plan for the project was developed in collaboration with agronomy specialists Turfgrass and highlighted areas where playing conditions can be improved and create a modern challenge for players. Greenkeeping equipment from suppliers Toro and John Deere will be used in construction. 

“This is an extremely exciting time for golfers at Foxhills,” said Graham. “The course changes are going to make a big difference to the playing experience. It’s important to us that the courses are enjoyable for all levels of golfer, from low handicappers to mid-high and the masterplan for this project was designed with this at the front of our mind.” 

The par three sixteenth hole on the Longcross will be the most complex part of the renovation. A pond will be extended to the edge of the putting surface to have a greater influence on club selection. The green will also be increased in size to provide room for additional pin locations, and a new bunker will be built to its left. 

Holes twelve to fifteen on the Longcross will also see changes, with bunker reshaping and repositioning, changes to the size, shape and contouring of the greens, as well as new herringbone drainage and irrigation upgrades. Tee positions will also change on several holes to introduce more strategic decision making. 

Work on the back nine of the Longcross is already under way, with a second phase planned for summer 2023 before moving onto the Bernard Hunt in 2024.