Golf Business News – Blackmoor reveals impressive results of three-year course renovation project

Blackmoor Golf Club in Hampshire has completed an extensive, three-year course improvement project that includes improvements to all 18 holes on its historic Harry Colt-designed course.

Work has been carried out to improve the bunkers and improve drainage, the fairways have been reshaped to improve the visibility and beauty of the course and associated work such as new fairways and heather planting has been added.

The flagship project, worth more than £500,000, has been implemented in three phases and was designed by golf course architects LOBB + Partners, who were appointed by Blackmoor Golf Club to develop a work strategy to restore and improve the course.

Bringing back some of Colt’s original design as a course builder in 1913 and using modern techniques that support ongoing course maintenance, Blackmoor has been able to future-proof the club and cement its reputation as one of Britain’s best heatland courses.

Commenting on the project, Tim Lobb, Chief Architect of LOBB + Partners, said: “Over the past three winters we have worked with Blackmoor Golf Club to launch our Colt-inspired bunker and heatland regeneration project on the course. The Club’s commitment to the continuous improvement of the course and the area is not seen as the end product that is seen today after these activities.

“We were pleased to be part of this team and supervise the construction plans of the contractor Profusion Environmental. Congratulations to the club and Course Manager James Norris and the rest of the greens team for delivering an exceptional course that will continue to grow with construction activities and excellent playing conditions.”

Alongside heathland restoration and bunker refurbishment, work was carried out by Blackmoor’s conservation team to remove over 3000 m2 of heather turf to improve the new bunkers and surrounding areas.

Changes have been made to the 1st hole fairway, filling in half of the cross ditch to restore the fairway, and the green area around the 9th and 17th holes, two of the course’s most notable par 3s, have been remodeled.

The project was overseen by Course Manager James Norris who commented: “We are fortunate that Blackmoor sits on a sandy bottom which helps reduce flooding and support drainage, however, over time the bunkers have changed and the sand mix has not been the same. Improvements were needed and new lines and drainage were installed throughout the fairways and heather planting was added to enhance the beauty of the course.

“Although the major works have been completed, the courses will continue to improve with our maintenance program and as improvements continue. We have put rubber tracks on six holes and have plans to put tracks on the remaining 12 next. four years.”

The renovation of the main course follows on from the completion of an extensive expansion of the club’s restaurant and dining area in 2018, which included the construction of a top-level sun terrace with panoramic views across the course.

Blackmoor is the site of the England Golf Championship and home to The Selborne Salver, one of Britain’s most prestigious golf events. The par 69 course is consistently ranked among the top 100 courses in England and is recognized as one of the finest courses in the region.

The completion of the basement renovation and hot tub renovation project further elevates the club’s reputation and supports the committees vision of providing a strategic, enjoyable and first-class experience for all golfers.