Written by: Richard Holland
2026
In 2024, the 16th hole was redesigned because sliced shots were frequently landing out of bounds on the neighbour’s property. The aim was to reduce this by relocating the tee and incorporating a visible, natural wetland area (a biotope) into the layout of the hole. A decision was made to create a depressed area designed to flood from the adjacent ditch during wet periods. The excavated soil was used to make new elevated tees for the 16th hole. Allowing nature to take its course in this area is expected to support biodiversity. Although the summer of 2026 was exceptionally dry, the impact of the earlier flooding (in 2024 and 2025) is already evident: alder seeds have germinated along the edges of the site, while sedges and rushes are taking hold within the area itself. As shown in the photo, the interim result is a developing wetland area —typical of wet sandy soil—that has persisted despite the dry conditions.
