57 feel intentional rather than abrupt,” says Fraser. “The routing moves from high ridge lines to low-lying basins, through expanses of marram, open linksland, and coastal heath. The key was identifying how each zone could contribute its own identity while still feeling part of a continuous journey. The New course uses contour transitions, horizon lines and framing vegetation to maintain cohesion. The routing was absolutely critical to ensure each hole revealed something new without feeling disconnected. The result is a course that evolves holeby-hole, tells a story, and always feels grounded in place.” The final product nevertheless retains the capacity to surprise; it is a tale of the unexpected. The scene is set at the opening hole, where the shaping team has created a dunescape that feels entirely authentic and could lead a golfer to believe that they are embarking upon a traditional links test. But that notion is immediately dispelled, with wetland in play from the tee on the second hole. Two more water holes follow, then two surrounded by heather. O’ Mahony describes the course as “moving from gear to gear as it builds in excitement” and the senses are certainly elevated on the seventh, a par three over water to a green set high into the side of huge natural dune, and flanked left by enormous bunkers. The next tee sits on top of the dune and provides the first look into the Southern Dome, where the true drama unfolds. The entire environment for the seven holes that follow is a playground of golf, with one thrilling shot after another. It reaches a crescendo at the twelfth Photo: Jacob Sjöman The par-three seventh hole plays over wetlands to a green set into the side of a dune
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