A new course will open at the Ramside Hall Hotel and Golf Club in County Durham, UK, this July.

The Ramside Cathedral Course has been designed by Jonathan Gaunt of Gaunt Golf Design, and plays 7,200 yards at a par of 72.

Gaunt was the designer behind the original 27 holes that opened at Ramside Hall in 1994.

“Since the first site inspection in 1997 this has been a special project to work on and it is hugely rewarding to see Ramside’s long term vision realised,” said Gaunt. “Not only is the course situated on an exceptional piece of land comprising a rolling valley with a coursing beck, a wide open hilltop plateau and secluded wooded parkland, it also has views over two iconic North East landmarks –Durham Cathedral and the Angel of the North.”

The Ramside Cathedral Course is located on the site of what was formerly a third loop of nine holes, which have been completely redesigned to form part of the new course. The mid-section of the course lies on a high plateau with views of the surrounding area before dropping down into a valley with mature trees, steep banksides and elevation changes. Each of the putting areas are more than 700 sq m, and the course features nine manmade feature lakes. 

“Our vision is for Ramside Hall Hotel and Golf Club to become a complete golf and leisure destination at the heart of North East England,” said John Adamson, Ramside Hall Estates director. “I’m certain the Cathedral Course will further enhance Ramside Hall’s reputation as one of the most desirable golf resorts and leisure destinations in England.”

The new golf course is part of a £15m development taking place at Ramside Hall which includes a 47-bedroom expansion of the four star hotel and the construction of 34 executive residential homes.

The new course will open in two phases. On 5 July, a nine-hole loop will open for play, with the complete 18-holes opening in September after the fairways and fescue rough grass has been able to bed in across the course.