21 October’s issue saw Sandy paying a visit to Dr Alister MacKenzie’s lovely Cavendish course in Buxton, in the north of England. Built in the early 1920s for the Duke of Devonshire (whose family name is Cavendish), the course was mostly ignored for years, principally because its back tees stretched only just over 5,700 yards. After enthusiastic championing by the likes of Tom Doak, though, it has been accepted for what it is, a wonderful little example of MacKenzie’s genius, and a fixed feature in lists of Britain’s best courses. The par-four tenth, where Sandy was photographed, lies at the bottom of the course, and is one of the best holes on the course. Andrew Oliver, a member of St Anne’s Old Links, spotted the hole and wins the coveted GCA shirt. For this issue, Sandy is pictured at one of England’s hidden gems, so a clue is probably in order. The course was originally laid out by Cecil Hutchison and more recently, as the club approached its 100th anniversary, Ken Moodie oversaw bunker remodeling work. GOPHER WATCH Photo: Karima Mohamed Temporary greens were prepared on each hole a year before work began, so that the course would not need to close. “The temporary greens were excellent due to timely verticutting, rolling and overseeding,” said Peter. French firm Green Art handled construction, with Spain-based Turfgrass Agronomy & Services overseeing some technical aspects of the renovation project, which was supervised by the club’s head greenkeeper Vincent Pigeyre. The new greens were opened for member play on 1 September 2023. “Due to the fact that Michael designed the new greens, Penchinat insisted that he play in the opening competition to test them out,” said Peter. “Furthermore, he declared that Michael would definitely be back in 25 years’ time to supervise the other changes that we suggested in the masterplan!” Royal Long An Golf & Villas, near Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, has opened an 18-hole golf course by Faldo Design. A nine-hole layout at the resort is also under construction. Work on the 18-hole design, which can be played from 5,424 to 7,233 yards, began just prior to the closure of international travel in 2020. The layout includes a lake system that captures storm and rainwater for irrigation and is in play as a hazard on many holes. Construction of the third nine – which the club says will be a tougher test than the first 18, with water more in play – is expected to start in 2024. Photo: Royal Long An Golf & Villas Faldo course opens near Ho Chi Minh City
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