Second phase of work at Kingswood

28 April 2010

The second phase of renovations at the James Braid designed Kingswood course in Surrey, England, is almost complete.

Designed in the 1920s by the five times Open champion and located close to his professional home at Walton Heath, the renovation of the course is being led by British architecture firm Swan Golf Designs. The project has included slightly lengthening and totally rebunkering the course, adding feature to some greens, significant woodland management and substantial planting.

Course owner Tom Hilliard said: “The works are a great step forward to making this Braid’s best parkland course. The impact of the new bunkering is immense and it is going to excite and challenge all who play here.”

One member have who recently returned to the club after 18 months away said: “I was very impressed to see design upgrades and significant investment made to the course. The strategic bunkers on the fifth and the collar on the front of the sixteenth green demonstrate thoughtful and clever design changes.”

Howard Swan said: “It has been a great challenge to take one of Braid’s courses and, following his design principles and philosophies set out over 100 years ago, apply them to Kingswood’s fine layout. We have tried to rekindle his spirit whilst bringing the course up to modern day and future expectations, just as we did at Goodwood.” Kingswood has been selected to host one of next year’s qualifiers for the Senior Open.