Golf Course Architecture - Green Pages 2021

16 MJ ABBOTT G olf course architect Jonathan Gaunt was commissioned in early 2020 to carry out an audit and bunker reconstruction project for the layout at the Stratford-on-Avon Golf Club in Warwickshire, England. “The course lies to the east of the River Avon on gently undulating, free-draining parkland,” said Gaunt. “It opened for play in 1925, having been built by Carter & Co. It was soon widely considered to be a high-quality course, to be expected of a JH Taylor design, and, as he put it himself, ‘it would prove to be one of the best in the Midlands’. The course was later remodelled by Martin Hawtree.” Ongoing issues with bunkers included inconsistency in style, shaping, challenge, playability and maintainability. The club’s committee made the decision to proceed with a course master planning project in March, and in July issued a tender for the reconstruction work involving a full bunker renovation. Photos: MJ Abbott A new era for a historic gem MJ Abbott completes first phase of reconstruction work at Stratford-on-Avon Golf Club MJ Abbott has completed the first phase of renovation work at Stratford-on-Avon Golf Club