61 principles, as we are all custodians of a landmark golf course. Neither the Course Design Group, the board, or the committee are here to decree that changes are required: we are very well aware that, if we were a building we would be grade-one listed.” Brian Schneider says: “St George’s Hill is a marvellous place, perhaps best known for its stunning par-three eighth hole. However, this is just one of eighteen extraordinary holes found on the Old course (the Red and Blue nines). It is also evident that Harry Colt’s second eighteen, the New, was the match of any course in terms of interest, memorability, and fun.” In a statement, the club’s Course Design Group said: “We are blessed as members of this wonderful club to be the custodians of what can only be described as a timeless work of art. The journey we will now embark on, in partnership with Renaissance Golf Design and Evalu18, is one of excitement and adventure. To create a plan that will protect, enhance and restore Colt’s masterpiece, is not only a privilege, but a necessity.” “We are not looking for a new course architect. We have one – his name is Harry Colt,” says Worthington. “We are looking for a team of architects that can review, revisit and restore his works to a modern-day standard deemed appropriate by the club and its membership. What prompted this decision wasn’t one specific event. It was a culmination of factors including the pandemic, a review of course usage and playing habits, and a full review of our assets and our responsibility to maintain and improve them. It is a natural evolution, and we are hoping to have options and considerations to take to members later this year.” If the club eventually decides to embark on a full-scale restoration – though, as noted above, it is questionable just how restorative any work on the New course, now the Green nine, can be – it would, along with the project currently underway at The Addington, be the most significant restoration yet undertaken in British golf. It remains to be seen how bold the club is prepared to be; but for all those who love historical golf architecture, and Harry Colt in particular, it will be exciting to watch. REPORT Photo: Jason Livy The par-three second on the Green nine was originally a par four “ We want to preserve Colt’s design principles, as we are all custodians of a landmark golf course”
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