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When new owner, Alan Gaynor, bought the Dale Hill Hotel and Golf Club in 1993, in addition to the existing eighteen hole course there was outline planning permission granted for a new eighteen hole course on land also owned by the hotel. In his search for a designer, he called upon his Jersey neighbour, Ian Woosnam, to provide the inspiration for his new development. European Golf Design were asked by Ian to assist him in the design work for the project. |
Situated in the heart of the South East, Dale Hill Hotel is within an hour of London and twenty minutes from the M25 London Orbital. The existing course had been built in the mid 70’s, with the hotel following fifteen years later. At the same time, plans were submitted for another course on the property. However, financial difficulties forced the owner to sell, the development eventually coming under the control of Alan Gaynor, an entrepreneur based in Jersey.
During our first visit to the site with Woosnam, it became apparent that the |
existing plans for the new course would not provide the kind of course needed to compliment the investment being made.
The decision was made, therefore, to start from scratch and re-submit plans to the planning authority for full permissions. Design work began in earnest in September of 1994, and by March 1995 detailed plans were submitted to the planning committee for review.
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One of the attractions of the site was an area of ancient woodland, through which some magnificent holes were planned. Sadly, the woodland had been neglected by previous owners and was in need of significant care. A key to the success of the planning application was to demonstrate that the woodland could be maintained and improved through thoughtful design, as well as a commitment from the Hotel to enter into a long term woodland management plan. Tree surveys were commissioned, designs were worked and re-worked to |
minimise potential tree loss and to allow for areas of the woodland to be coppiced rather than cleared, and, with the assistance of Chris Blandford Associates, a long term woodland management plan was prepared. With approval received from the planners, full tender packages were prepared and issued to contractors. Once returned, together with Ian Woosnam and Alan Gaynor, European Golf Design reviewed those proposals, awarding the contract to Craig Cooke Construction.
Construction work began last September. With the exceptionally mild and dry autumn experienced in the U.K. last year, work continued well into December before rain finally halted work. By that time, fifteen holes had been graded to the point where irrigation installation began earlier this year. M.J. Abbott Ltd won the irrigation contract and are installing a Rain Bird irrigation system covering greens, tees and fairways. |
During his most recent site visit, Ian Woosnam, fresh from consecutive victories on the 1996 European Tour, was delighted with the progress. He is confident that the brief given at the beginning of the project to design a course capable of challenging the most skilled player, as well as providing an enjoyable course for those less able, will be more than met as the course continues to evolve. Construction is programmed to be completed by the first part of August, with an anticipated opening within the following twelve months. Discussions are already taking place with the PGA European Tour with a view to the Club hosting future Seniors or Challenge Tour events. |
