Works on the Links
(Played as 1st and 2nd in the Open) had few friends. There were also numerous detailed comments reflecting concern that the essential nature of the links should be preserved. An early decision was to appoint Martin Hawtree as our
architect. Martin is the third generation of his family to be golf architects: grandfather, Frederick George, started in 1912 and worked closely with the great JH Taylor. Over 50 new courses were built and many more (including Birkdale) reconstructed before Frederick William joined his father in 1938. The firm continued to flourish and FW Hawtree designed the new 3rd and 4th holes at Hoylake built before the 1967 Open. Martin remembers his first visit to Hoylake as a schoolboy with his father in the early 1960’s. “I recollect him extolling to me on a cold January afternoon the qualities of the then 7th Green and its Out-of-bounds. It didn’t mean a great deal to me at the time because I was more concerned about the fine tea awaiting us close by in the Head Greenkeeper’s bungalow.” Martin joined his father in 1972, and today the firm has worked on over 800 golf courses worldwide. Martin’s passion is for links golf and today he is working with four Open Championship venues. The Architect’s brief was clear that the predominantly flat
nature of the land should be preserved, but subtle movement could be introduced in identified areas. A fundamental review of 17th and 18th was included to harmonise them with the rest of the course. All bunkering was to be reviewed for position, shape, size, style, ease of maintenance, aspect and access. Gorse, shrubs, marram grass, reeds, burnett roses, mounds and hollows could all be used to introduce variety, define playing lines, disguise distance, and improve separation. The prime importance of close cooperation with
the Links Manager at all stages was emphasised. The initial report received in May 2008 generally went
down well with the Panel , and it was clear that some preliminary works could take place “in house” during the winter 2008/2009. This would include removal of some bunkers, and reshaping or replacement of some others. Major works requiring an outside contractor would wait until the following (present) winter, when costs would be reduced by doing them all at the same time. In January 2010, most of the new bunkering, is complete
or nearly so. Compared with 2006 there is a net reduction of 13, and a very large number of others have been altered in terms of shape and aspect. The fact that all this work could be done by Craig Gilholm and his team is a tribute to them, and it could not have happened without our new turf nursery. By Spring 2010, this will have provided 20,000 square metres of locally grown turf, saving the Club about £30,000. During the present winter 2009/2010 we are proceeding
with significant changes, all of which will be on full view for the Brabazon Trophy in June. Working on the links alongside Craig Gilholm and the Irrigation team is SOL Golf Course Construction Ltd. This firm has established a fine reputation in its field and has worked on Royal Portrush, Royal Dublin, Royal Birkdale and many others. Ollie Sutton does the delicate shaping needed to produce changes which look as if they have been there for ever. He is aided by site foreman Paul Kelly who was once a green-keeper, but joined SOL to develop his interest in golf course construction. The first important work to be undertaken in this phase is the new 17th green (Open 1st). This hole was much altered in
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