LATEST NEWS
May 2009
NEW DEVELOPMENTS:
- Clifton Hall School (Nr Edinburgh) - Early stages of exciting new development.
This project is being designed with Scott Dixon, Head Professional at Dalmahoy G and CC.
- Alcantara (Sicily) - Construction plans for 18 hole course completed.
- Capannelle (Bergamo, Italy) - Planning Approval received.
- Slanic (Romania) - Construction plans completed. Developer has intimated a start date for construction of spring 2010.
The above projects are being developed with Italian Architect PierFrancesco De Simone and the Italian projects in association with Costantino Rocca. New sites are being assessed in Tuscany, Verona and Sardinia. We have also visited a potential site near Mangalia (Romania) on the Black Sea.
- Swanston (Nr Edinburgh) – In play with the official opening on 30th May
RE-MODELLING: (commenced winter 2008)
- Turnhouse - 2 new greens completed.
- Kirkintilloch - 6 new bunkers at 18th hole completed and in play.
- Lanark - new 6th green completed and in play.
- Helensburgh - a variety of course improvements completed during the winter.
ScotAGCA
The new Scottish Association of Golf Course Architects was launched in October 2008 to promote the best of traditional Scottish golf course design in this country.
INTRODUCTION
The golf course is a golf club's most important asset and the quality of the design and playing surfaces are major factors in attracting members and visitors. There is no doubt that embarking on a programme of upgrading a course design invariably sparks enthusiasm amongst the membership and is a springboard to encouraging more interest in the club.
Upgrading to a more memorable design can be relatively simple to achieve over perhaps 2 or 3 years. The monetary investment need not be large. Relatively simple improvements like the re-location of bunkers, such as those currently taking place at Kirkintilloch Golf Club, do not require a significant amount of investment.
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New 9th green at Turnhouse Golf Club |
Where more investment is required, for example the creation of a new green, the amount involved is relatively insignificant when you consider the longer-term benefits of an exciting design and the prospect of year-round playing surface.
If you are considering upgrading your course please read my philosophy on design and improvements. If you are keen to learn more, I recommend that we have an initial discussion to firstly answer your questions and provide some guidance as to how you could proceed.


