A JEWEL IN THE GOLFING CROWN
Due to open in June 2009, the Rockliffe Hotel and Golf Resort has been built adjacent to the Middlesbrough FC training ground.
Designed by Marc Westenborg of Hawtree Ltd., the course was built by constructors MJ Abbott.
MARTYN JONES reports on progress T
he country estate where Middlesbrough Football Club has a state-of-the-art training facility will soon be complemented by a new luxury leisure development. Rockliffe Hall Limited is developing
Rockliffe Hotel and Golf Resort on a 150-hectare complex adjacent to the Club’s prestigious training ground at Hurworth, near Darlington. The brainchild of Middlesborough’s Chairman Steve Gibson, it is planned that the development will become the North East’s newest five-star leisure attraction.
The historic Rockliffe Hall, a run-down 19th Century mansion, is being sensitively converted and authentically renovated and refurbished to create a luxury 63-bedroom hotel. Up to 500 jobs will be created in constructing and ultimately staffing the new development. The jewel in the crown for golf enthusiasts is an exclusive new golf course that, at over 7,800 yards from the back tees, will become one of Europe’s longest, and one that sensitively
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harmonises with the existing landscape whilst adding striking features that will make it one of the most exciting new courses in the UK.
The golf course is situated to the south of the hall and covers an area of approximately 116.2ha. The southern and eastern boundaries are defined by the River Tees. Middlesborough Football Club’s training ground and sports complex lies immediately to the west. Designed by Marc Westenborg of
Hawtree Ltd., the par 72 course combines modern with traditional, classic with dramatic. The primary strength of any course lies in its routing - without a strong routing, a golf course can never be great. It is the backbone and underpins all the other elements of a notable design. Areas of wetland habitat have been
introduced as part of flood attenuation measures. The development introduces new landscape features and habitat areas into an area of farmland that was ecologically poor and devoid of any features of special landscape value. New
Pump house being built
landform and planting will integrate the site into the surrounding countryside, creating a more diverse and visually richer landscape with a range of appropriate habitats.
A flood risk assessment was conducted during the planning phase and the course has been cleverly routed through the flood plain to serve this essential role whilst ensuring that the playability of the holes is not jeopardised. Ever conscious of the environmental responsibilities of a golf course designer, Westenborg has preserved and even enhanced this vital wildlife habitat. Guy Holmes, a director of Browne Smith Baker, principal architects for the Rockliffe Hall development said that creating the course on a flood plain had proved an immense challenge to the golf course designer and constructors. “We have to accept floods and deal with them, and let the water go out sensibly.
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