Major course renovation for Prince’s Golf Club

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Prince’s Golf Club, host of the 1932 Open Championship, has announced details of course renovation works to the Shore and Dunes nines at the 27-hole championship links facility.

Work commenced in October 2018 and much of the heavy machinery work and initial development has already been completed. Both nines will be finalised for spring 2020, but the course remains fully open for uninterrupted play throughout 2019.

The work will give the two loops a substantial lift, making use of the natural landscape to fully highlight the quality of the courses.

Architect Martin Ebert said: “Our research has shown that the greens used to be much larger so many of the surfaces have been restored in size simply by mowing them out.

“In terms of new features, the 5th hole on the Shore nine stands out. The carry over bare sand areas and the view towards the sea makes for a stunning hole and it also provides a welcome change in angle for the course.

“The 6th (existing 5th) has also benefited from the 5th hole project with a new alignment from elevated tees in the dunes. The reconfigured tee complexes have added character to many of the holes, as have the restoration and creation of bare sand areas in many areas. Prince’s really has three world class loops of nine holes.”

A tactical reconfiguration of the bunkering on several holes, as well as the addition of several new tees will not only provided more balance between the back tees and members’ yellow tees but increasing the length of some holes has brought the fairway bunkers back into play for elite golfers.

On the notable par three second hole of the Dunes, an attractive wooden sleeper path now weaves its way up the middle of the hole through a new bare sand area up to the green enhancing the visual from the tee dramatically.

A new short par three is under construction on the Shore, with a variety of tee positions allowing it to play between 110 and 155 yards.

The new hole sits with the backdrop of the sea, albeit at a slightly different angle, and will open for play in spring 2020.