Blackmoor Golf Club completes improvement project

By Alistair November 29, 2024 09:19

Harry Colt-designed Blackmoor Golf Club in Hampshire has completed an improvement project that should take the course to the next level.

Blackmoor Golf Club has completed an extensive, three-year course improvement project which includes enhancements to all 18 holes on the Harry Colt course. The work has been carried out to upgrade bunkers and to improve drainage, the fairways have been reshaped to enhance visibility and course aesthetics and ancillary work such as new pathways and heather planting have been added.

The groundbreaking project which cost circa £500k has been implemented in three phases.

Reinstating some of Colt’s artistry first laid out by the course architect in 1913 and employing modern techniques that support ongoing course maintenance, Blackmoor has been able to futureproof the club and strengthen its reputation as one of the finest heathland courses in Britain.

Alongside the heathland restoration and bunker refurbishment, work has been carried out by Blackmoor’s greenkeeping team to relocate more than 3000m2 of heather turf to enhance the new bunkers and surrounding areas. Changes have been made to the 1st hole fairway, filling in half of the cross ditch, and the green surrounds on the 9th and 17th holes, and two of the course’s notable par threes have been remodelled.

The project was overseen by course manager James Norris who commented: “We are fortunate that Blackmoor sits on sandy subsoil which helps alleviate flooding and support course drainage, however, over time the bunkers had changed shape and the sand mix had become inconsistent. Upgrading was necessary and new liners and drainage were installed to every bunker as well as heather planting added to improve course aesthetics.

“Although the major works are now complete, the course will continue to improve with our programme of maintenance and as the enhancements bed in. We have laid rubber pathways to six holes already and have plans to install pathways to the remaining 12 holes over the next four years.”