Alterations underway at Wetherby
The members of Wetherby Golf Club in West Yorkshire, UK have voted to alter a layout that had remained virtually unchanged since Alister Mackenzie designed a second nine holes in the 1920s.
Six new holes on land alongside the River Wharfe will open up scenic views and help to mitigate safety risks associated with some of the existing holes on the course. According to the club's website, "the loss of the 14th Quarry hole generated the most controversy. Many felt it was the signature hole of the course, others considered it the least attractive and most unfair, offering just a long slog up an increasingly steep slope to three hidden bunkers and an out of bounds left, within feet of the green".
The alterations are being project managed by Brian Pierson. Construction work is being carried out by John Pierson SM and is expected to be complete by September 2005.
Allowing for a growing in period and maintenance, the new holes will be ready for play by the summer of 2007 and should be fully mature in time for the club's centenary in 2010.
This article first appeared in issue 1 of Golf Course Architecture, published in July 2005.