Golf Course Architecture - Issue 59, January 2020

27 TEE BOX Formby looks to the future Mackenzie & Ebert has completed a course assessment and six-year development plan for Formby Golf Club near Liverpool, England. A £750k programme of work is now under way, with changes designed to add to the aesthetics and playability of existing holes with some re-shaping, new bunkers and new tees. Greens will not be changed. Martin Ebert said: “There are some major projects which are extremely exciting to imagine. These include the widening and re-bunkering of the first fairway, the adjustment of the sixth fairway to create more of a dogleg, the lengthening and reshaping of the eighth hole and the creation of dunes and dune slacks around the sixteenth hole. “The adjustments proposed are not made for the sake of change but will offer real benefit to the course and should lead to more enjoyment of playing the layout. The changes also keep an eye on the championship status which the course has enjoyed for so many years. “There is no doubt that the game at the elite level has moved on in recent years, especially in relation to the distance that tee shots are being hit. Maintaining firm and fast conditions is the ultimate defence of any layout, but some of the proposals made are to ensure that the best players have to think carefully about their strategy when playing from the back tees.” The club plans to complete one large project annually, interspersed by smaller tasks throughout the year. This winter’s work will be completed by April, to minimise interruption to golfers. Mackenzie & Ebert has also considered the longer-term future, looking thirty years ahead to create designs for replacement ninth and tenth holes, which are forecast to be significantly impacted by coastal erosion and sand blown from the nearby beach. Photo: kevinmurraygolfphotography.com Mackenzie & Ebert has created a development plan for Formby (pictured, the par-four eleventh)