Ninth Hole Re-design

As outlined at the Company AGM, July 2008, the board are committed to a plan to improve the current practice facilities we offer. The long term plan involves the re-alignment of the 9^th/10^th fairways, releasing additional land for development as a bespoke short game area.

In order to maximise the benefit of these improvements for current members, the board of directors are keen to begin the project as soon as possible. The first phase of the improvements can begin at the conclusion of the playing season in 2010 and be ready for play at the beginning of the 2011 season.

Programme For Phase One Work Begins Approx. 25^th September

• A new green for the 9^th hole is constructed in front of the clubhouse.

• The tee for the 9^th is extended back approximately 8 yards.

• Tree planting and mounding  is carried out to separate the site for the new green from the 1^st hole.

• The Fairway is shaped out to the left and doglegs, through the trees, left to right.

• Bunkering is placed along the right side, at the corner of the dogleg.

• The Green is tended for the winter and spring and made ready for play.

Late Winter/ Start of Spring

• The site of the old putting green is remodelled to add to the vista from the clubhouse.

• Play is allowed to the new green.

• The old 9^th green becomes the putting green and is extended to include a variety of chipping points and a practice bunker.

• Mounding is placed at the left side of the dogleg, separating the 9^th from the new practice facility and eventual 10^th fairway.

Using an earth mover and skilled operator we are able to progress these works quite quickly and the initial green and bunker constructions are estimated to take approximately 3 weeks.

The advantages are;

• An immediate improvement to the practice facilities offered at the club, benefitting current members and making BSGC more attractive to potential new members.

• Hole 9 is improved as a strategic challenge-the tee shot is defined by the dogleg and bunkering. The closer your drive to the hazard the shorter and easier your approach shot is.  The second shot is through the trees to a green which is small, sloped and angled to the direction of play.

• The hole is improved aesthetically; the new green has the eaves of the members bar as a backdrop and plays through a very attractive avenue of trees.

• We now have a finishing green in view of the clubhouse and patio.

Phase 2 is the construction of an additional putting green near the first tee and the re-siting of the tenth tee at the right corner of the clubhouse. This frees up more space between the existing ninth green and the existing 10^th tee to further improve the short game practice facilities.

There are other projects to complete in the winter of 2010-widening the 11^th tee at the back, renovating ladies tees and bunkering on hole six, full details will be posted here in due course.

Your thoughts and comments are most welcome; please address these to the greens committee or myself.

Simon Sheppard

Director of Golf

November  2009