The relocation of Royal Norwich Golf Club is now officially underway, with ground being broken on the new site in Lenwade, UK.

An 18-hole championship course designed by Ross McMurray of European Golf Design, as well as an academy course and new clubhouse, will be created at the new site.

The new site is currently home to the Weston Park Golf Club, though a completely new layout is to be created.

MJ Abbott has been hired as the course contractor, and will work alongside European Golf Design to ensure the new facility is ready for its scheduled summer 2019 opening.

“Projects of this scale have been rare in recent years and we look forward to delivering a first-class project to match the clubs vision and expectations for this exciting project,” said Steve Briggs, contracts director at MJ Abbott.

The current course at Royal Norwich’s Hellesdon site will remain open for play until the new course is ready for play. Once the relocation is complete, the current site will be redeveloped for housing.

“I knew once I saw the 18th century parkland landscape featuring free draining soils and mature trees this was going to be a fantastic piece of land to build on, so it’s great to be finally breaking ground on the site and begin work,” said Peter Todd, the recently-appointed head of estates at Royal Norwich. “We have a great team in place to deliver an outstanding course and I can’t wait to see it take shape in the coming months and years.”