Interviews

Oakmont: An interview with Gil Hanse

With the 2025 US Open arriving at Oakmont, Richard Humphreys spoke with the architect, who renovated the course in 2023, about what to expect

Martin Ebert: Design journey

With a portfolio that includes eight of the ten Open venues, Mackenzie & Ebert occupies an enviable position in the golf design industry. Adam Lawrence spoke with principal Martin Ebert to learn how they got there

Designs for the big screen

Chad Goetz and Agustin Piza discuss their design decisions for the virtual holes that featured in the first season of TGL

Bob Harrison: Wizard of Oz

The Australian designer has had a long career and, like many of his countrymen, has spent much of it away from home. Adam Lawrence listened to his tales from the road

Ben Cowan-Dewar: Shock and awe

Golf development firm Cabot now has properties in six countries. Richard Humphreys speaks with co-founder and CEO Ben Cowan-Dewar about what makes a great site, selection of golf course architects, and more

Team building

Turfgrass has launched its US arm with the appointment of John Lawrence, Adam Moeller and Brad Owen. Richard Humphreys speaks with them, Turfgrass founder John Clarkin and director of agronomy Julian Mooney to find out more

Brian Curley: Life of Brian

The designer has surely clocked up more air miles than anyone else in the business. Adam Lawrence caught up with him in between flights to discuss his career and his new venture with Jim Wagner

Oakmont: An interview with Gil Hanse

With the 2025 US Open arriving at Oakmont, Richard Humphreys spoke with the architect, who renovated the course in 2023, about what to expect

Martin Ebert: Design journey

With a portfolio that includes eight of the ten Open venues, Mackenzie & Ebert occupies an enviable position in the golf design industry. Adam Lawrence spoke with principal Martin Ebert to learn how they got there

Designs for the big screen

Chad Goetz and Agustin Piza discuss their design decisions for the virtual holes that featured in the first season of TGL

Bob Harrison: Wizard of Oz

The Australian designer has had a long career and, like many of his countrymen, has spent much of it away from home. Adam Lawrence listened to his tales from the road

Ben Cowan-Dewar: Shock and awe

Golf development firm Cabot now has properties in six countries. Richard Humphreys speaks with co-founder and CEO Ben Cowan-Dewar about what makes a great site, selection of golf course architects, and more

Team building

Turfgrass has launched its US arm with the appointment of John Lawrence, Adam Moeller and Brad Owen. Richard Humphreys speaks with them, Turfgrass founder John Clarkin and director of agronomy Julian Mooney to find out more

Brian Curley: Life of Brian

The designer has surely clocked up more air miles than anyone else in the business. Adam Lawrence caught up with him in between flights to discuss his career and his new venture with Jim Wagner

Richard Humphreys
/ Categories: News

Cowdray opens new par-three layout by Swan Golf Designs

Cowdray Golf in West Sussex, England, has opened a new par-three layout by Swan Golf Designs.

The short course includes five greens built to USGA specification and greenside bunkers designed to replicate the look and feel of those on the main course. A new short-game area, which includes a practice green and bunker, has also been built.

“The new academy setup has been in the planning for some time, so it’s a thrill to see it come to fruition and our members and guests enjoying the experience,” said Tim Allen, director of golf at Cowdray. “Through this facility, Cowdray will continue its good work engaging with the local community and schools, becoming more inclusive and taking golf to a wider audience.”

William Swan said: “In collaboration with our friends at Cowdray and Simon Bolton of Profusion Environmental, we were able to reimagine the five-hole academy course that sits alongside the eighteenth, to create a unique and exciting new facility for members and visitors to enjoy.”

This project follows Swan’s work on the 18-hole course, was completed in April. That renovation included rebuilding all bunkers, with many reshaped and integrated into the downland landscape with native grass borders. The double green at holes seven and fourteen was restored, a new ninth tee built, and pathways rebuilt.

The course lies within the South Downs National Park, so landscape management work completed throughout the course included the introduction of more native grassland areas and the removal of non-indigenous species, to highlight historic oaks and traditional downland specimens.

“It is rare to have the chance to work with a client that matches our ambition for a project, working on a layout that owes much to the original work of Tom Simpson and all set in one of the most beautiful landscapes in the country,” said Swan. “We have sought to modernise the course while restoring some of the strategy and flair that is synonymous with Simpson’s work.”

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  • Cowdray Swan Golf
    Cowdray Estate

    The fifth hole on the William Swan-designed short course at Cowdray in West Sussex, England

  • Cowdray Swan Golf
    Swan Golf Designs

    Swan completed a renovation of the 18-hole course in April

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Cowdray Estate
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