Golf Course Architecture - Issue 65, July 2021

21 well but the closing two holes were problematic. “I revised the layout to create a safer routing with more variety for the closing holes,” said Moodie. “Similarly, on the front nine, I adapted proposals that Sandy had developed to alter the layout of the original course. The main objectives were to eliminate a par three hole that played into the prevailing wind, and to create more strategically interesting and varied holes. “The golf course was designed as a downland course with gently rolling fairways and mounds in keeping with the surrounding landscape character. The imported soil was either chalk or clay. We used chalk for the construction of the new greens, tees and fairways to ensure that playing areas all drained well. Where we had shortfalls of chalk, we created borrow pits in the areas of rough and then filled these with the clay material that was brought into site.” The design of the new eighth hole draws inspiration from the sixth at Kingsbarns, in mirror image. “It is now a risk and reward short par four, which is driveable for long hitters, but with a high tariff if they get it wrong,” said Moodie. “There is a diagonal sequence of bunkers to the right of the fairway which the golfer can attempt to carry in order to take the more direct route to the green, but a pond will catch a pushed tee shot. “The new eleventh is a mid-length par three where players hit a tee shot slightly downhill and over a pond to an angled green with a slight step running through the surface. The golfer can bail out to the fairway to the right of the green but will then need to negotiate a bunker in order to reach the putting surface.” “This has been a massive undertaking for me personally but also for Weybrook Park, which is a small members club, but with a fantastic site for golf,” said Burrell. “I always felt that if we could construct a very good course, it would secure the long-term viability of the club and give members a great place to play golf into the future.” The original back nine is now used as the nine-hole East course, a par-35 layout that plays from 2,533 yards to 2,856. Read more on the Weybrook Park project at www.golfcoursearchitecture.net The project at Weybrook Park included building a new back nine (holes thirteen, twelve and seventeen, pictured above) Photo: Weybrook Park Golf Club