15 Photo: Air Tog NCM Network, led by Matthias Nemes and Franco G. Bianchi, is running the projects, with Anton Ortner working alongside Olazábal on the Parkland course (now called the Castle course), while Snorri Vilhjalmsson works with Jiménez on the Queens (formerly Links). Original designer Piras is involved as a consultant. The project is also NCM’s first design-build, with project director Jack Lund overseeing construction. “I like the routing,” Olazábal told GCA. “Our work is to make it more playable and interesting. With this project being on what was an existing course, we have had to adapt our approach a little bit than our usual newbuilds.” Olazábal, Ortner and Vilhjalmsson say that both courses will feel familiar to those that have played the old Parkland and Links courses given the routings remain the same, but they will also feel different as they completely change the presentation of the course’s features and undertake landscape work. Greens will be larger than they were previously, feature new contouring and 007XL bentgrass. For tees, fairways and rough, the project team have selected Tahoma 31 bermuda. Toro’s Lynx Smart Module control system is being installed, along with Flex and Infinity sprinklers. The Queens course is expected to open in April 2027, with the Castle following in 2028. A nine-hole par-three layout, which was originally planned but never built, will also be completed in 2027. A visualisation of the par-three third on the Castle course Clayton, DeVries & Pont (CDP) is developing a renovation plan for Sutton Coldfield Golf Club, near Birmingham, England. Following greens expansion and new irrigation, CDP partner Frank Pont is focusing on heathland regeneration and restoring historical long views. “Longer term, we will be working with the club to assess whether it makes sense to create some of the elements of Alister MacKenzie’s plan that were not executed,” said Pont. “In the meantime, we will also be looking at routing improvements that could further lift the course to the next level.” Course manager Chris Roberts said: “We’re carrying out heather scrapes and are using seed harvested from on-site heather to aid rejuvenation.” CDP to develop plans for Sutton Coldfield
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