Frilford Heath – Blue Course

Frilford Heath previously enjoyed two 18 hole courses (the Green and Red) but the club was keen to add a further course, partly to relieve the pressure on their existing facilities but also to provide a length of course for society play which was neither too long (i.e. Red course) nor too short (i.e. Green course). At 6650 yds the new Blue Course fulfilled this criteria though it is of such a quality that it has already hosted the British Seniors Open Amateur Championships, the English Seniors Amateur Championships and the Southern Region PGA Championships. Despite a generally flat site some 120-135,000 m3 of material was moved to create an instant and highly attractive golf course.

Parts of the Red Course had to be re-sited to make way for two starting and finishing points back to the clubhouse for the Blue Course so in all 22 new holes were constructed . The development of four holes on the existing Red course proved particularly difficult with badger setts needing to be relocated and special permission granted before construction could commence. Special wetland areas and heather plantations on the higher ground, were incorporated into the design to improve the setting of the course and to overcome what was once an ecologically arid site. The course was constructed by J. Greasley Ltd

Copyright © 2005 Simon Gidman IGCA All Rights Reserved.