David Williams reworks three holes on Ballesteros nine at Pedreña
Golf course architect David Williams is rebuilding three holes on the Seve Ballesteros-designed nine at Real Golf de Pedreña, near Santander, Spain.
Williams has been consulting at the club for the last eight years and, in that time, has renovated five holes on their main course, one of only two remaining 18-hole Harry Colt courses in Spain.
The club is famous for its links with Seve Ballesteros – he was born in nearby Pedreña and learnt the game over the Colt course. He also designed its nine-hole layout, originally intended for beginners and high-handicap players who found the 18-hole course too testing.
“Unfortunately, the nine-hole course was probably a little too difficult for such players and, as a result, was not played as much as it should have been,” said Williams. “The club therefore took the decision this year to concentrate on making it more playable and, as the first phase, we are rebuilding three holes. Those changes are also required because of the recent construction of a major reservoir for the club over the closing two holes of the original Seve layout.
“A dramatic, totally new downhill par three hole played to a green just in front of the reservoir will form a fitting final hole, and the previously sharp dogleg par-four second hole will be transformed into two par threes with a totally new green complex for the second hole, and new tee complexes for both.”
Williams continued: “The purpose of phase one of these works to the nine-hole course is to demonstrate to the membership how playable holes can be created, and hopefully lead to the redesign and redevelopment of the remaining six holes in future years.”
Construction on the nine-hole layout is being done by Spanish firm JeriGolf, with whom Williams has collaborated on previous projects within the country.
Renovation work on the 18-hole Colt course will also continue at the same time, with work being done on the par-three twelfth and par-four eighteenth holes. Over previous years, Williams has already renovated five holes on the Colt course.
Construction began in September 2018 and is expected to finish in late October. Reopening of the holes is scheduled for spring 2019.
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David Williams is reworking three holes on the Ballesteros nine at Pedreña, including the ninth, pictured
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Williams is also continuing renovation work on the club’s 18-hole Colt course. The tenth, pictured, was rebuilt a few years ago
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