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Mark James Course Design
The bold contours of
High Legh Park with Steve Marnoch & Mark James-
ex Ryder Cup Captain. High Legh Park has quickly established
itself as one of the premier golfing venues in the
North West. International golf course architect, Steve
Marnoch, explained his role in helping to turn plans
into realities at High Legh Park.
"I was appointed after planning permission had
been obtained. One of my first tasks was to sit down
with Mark James to discuss his design principles for
High Legh. He expressed a preference for long greens
and few bunkers.
The rationale behind the long greens was based upon
the alteration of the green orientation to suit the
length of the hole and approach. For example a green
at the end of a short par three could be turned at
90 degrees to present a shallow target.
Conversely a long par four with a long iron approach
would feature a long green, in line with the fairway
but still with plenty of pin positions. This is what
we set out to achieve, ‘a simple plan’
one might think."
Steve Marnoch was responsible for the provision of
detailed drawings for all of the 27 greens and 3 practice
putting greens. "New courses such as High Legh
Park show the clear benefits of investing in greens
built according to USGA Green Section recommendations.
USGA greens offer the best of both worlds, a reservoir
in dry periods and rapid drainage in periods of heavy
rainfall."
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The bold contours are a striking feature
of the greens at High Legh Park, giving a distinctive links-like
feel to some of the greens. "The forms and contours of
the greens are purely a Steve Marnoch creation. My Scottish
background may play a part in my green designs that fit particularly
well at High Legh.
"Hardly any golf course development site is perfect nowadays
but, as a golf course architect, you must assess the constraints
of the land, incorporate the brief and deliver designs that
work and are interesting and challenging. The circumstances
at High Legh Park were quite difficult.
No suitable irrigation source led to the environmentally friendly
solution, with the agreement of North West Water, to use treated
sewage water. We had to use extreme care during construction
because part of the land had been used for military training
and the discovery of live shells and ammunition meant that
the local bomb squad were frequent visitors during the works."
"Ultimately, golf course
architecture is about enabling golfers of all abilities to
relax, be challenged and encouraged and have fun. I understand
that this has been achieved at High Legh in addition to producing
greens which have pleased the former Ryder Cup Captain"
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