David Williams continues work on Harry Colt layout at Real Golf de Pedreña

Golf course architect David Williams is overseeing work on five more holes at Real Golf de Pedreña in Spain, the latest project from his long-term master plan.

This phase of work on the Harry Colt design began in September and involves the redesign and rebuild of 18 bunkers, on the third, sixth, fourteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth holes. Construction is being handled by Madrid-based contractor Mafer Golf and includes the installation of Better Billy Bunker liner and Durabunker edging.

“Many of the proposals were large scale and dramatic, bringing the course up to modern standards and yet retaining all the principles of the original Colt design,” said Williams, who is overseeing the current work virtually due to Covid restrictions. “On many holes, this entailed redesigning and rebuilding all elements of the hole – tees, bunkers, and greens, as well as upgrading the drainage and irrigation systems.

“As a busy and popular members’ club, the board determined that they did not wish for those members and their guests to be inconvenienced every autumn and winter, so decided generally only to undertake these major reconstruction works every few years.”

Previous work has included rebuilding nine holes, including a completely new (but Colt-inspired) par-three tenth in 2015 and the first and seventh holes earlier this year. During the past decade, Williams has also rebuilt the club’s nine-hole course, which was originally designed by golf legend Seve Ballesteros. For the nine-hole project, Williams introduced two new par-three holes, which marks the first phase in what could be a long-term project to rebuild the course.

Pedro Navedo, the club’s general manager, said: “I am very pleased with the work undertaken in the last ten years. We have spent a lot of time in the club and out on the course debating all the changes. In my opinion, they have taken the course to another level of quality. Particularly, the work on par-three holes number seven and ten have been excellent. The works to the bunkers were also essential, not only from a technical point of view but also from an aesthetic point of view. They look stunning.”

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