First phase of £1m Bruntsfield refurb is complete

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A major makeover at one of Scotland’s oldest golf clubs is celebrating a milestone in the two-year project.

The first phase in a £1 million project at Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society has been unveiled.

The Edinburgh club, which traces its roots back to 1761 and has been a regional qualifying course for the Open, has redesigned several holes and refreshed the bunkering around the course.

Despite a harsh winter, the new-look 11th, 16th and 17th holes have been ready for play this summer.

Club captain Mike Smith revealed the ambitious makeover is on track to be completed next year.

The most striking feature of work completed so far is a new signature par three created on the home stretch.

“The introduction of a significant water feature at the 16th hole sees golfers face a daunting 170-yard tee shot over a pond to an undulating green,” he said. “This has been created on part of the old practice area.

“The new par four 17th hole, at 445 yards, will also present a real challenge, particularly when the wind blows in from the east.”

Mike said the construction team will press on with the project over the summer in the countdown to a formal opening scheduled for spring next year.

“Their main focus now will be on remodelling the 9th, 10th and 18th holes.

“Following a long winter the new areas of the course have settled remarkably quickly.

“It is a credit to our green staff that they have got the new holes, and the course generally, playing consistently well.

“We never imagined that we’d have the new holes in play by May as we feared the grim winter weather had put paid to that.

“It is truly remarkable the difference that the redesign has made already and while not yet fully complete, the changes already elevate the course quite considerably after 40 years since the last significant project.”

Bruntsfield, which is the fourth oldest club in world golf, bears the stamp of legends Willie Park Jnr, Dr Alister Mackenzie of Augusta National and Cypress Point fame, and James Braid.