Phase one a success at Worplesdon GC. Phase two to commence in Nov 19. Photo by Kevin Murray
Written on October 17th, 2019 by Tim and stored in Uncategorized
Tim was fortunate enough to be asked to contribute to the September issue of Golf Digest Middle East, to discuss life as a golf course architect, working with partners Peter Thomson and Ross Perrett and what is golf need to do in the future.
Tim Lobb featured in Golf Digest Middle East (September Issue)
What great memories talking about times together with Ross Perrett and Peter Thomson in St Andrews
Thank you for the interest in our design firm Kent Gray and Golf Digest Middle East.
Written on September 20th, 2019 by Tim and stored in Uncategorized
We are truly blessed to work with some amazing clients on stunning projects across the world.
Please take a minute to view this video on what it is like to work with LOBB + PARTNERS, a clients perspective.
https://vimeo.com/359997795
Thanks to https://alloneworldmedia.com/wp/
and Colin Hancock for producing the video.
Written on September 18th, 2019 by Tim and stored in Our projects, Tim Lobb
Whilst most of August was enjoyed as holiday for the LOBB + PARTNERS office we did get a chance to enjoy some rounds of golf. This included a few rounds at the wonderful and quirky Huntercombe Golf Club, just outside of Henley.
The course was designed by Willie Park Jnr and is one of his most creative designs, perhaps because he was the owner of the property and without influence of committees or other voices.
LOBB + PARTNERS have been consulting at the Club for a number of years now and in the winter completed works to the 16th hole to address a safety problem that was apparent to the right boundary. Our solution was to create Park style ‘pots’ alone the side of the hole to deter play from the right. Construction works were completed by FJ Lovell and carefully grown in by Course Manager – Grant Stewart.
Park style ‘pots’ created on hole 16
To play the hole now in its current form not only solved the safety problem but it enhanced the Park philosophy off the drive.
The works were constructed by FJ Lovell.
The new pots are quite a hazard
We look forward to further work with the Club.
Tim L
Written on September 12th, 2019 by Tim and stored in Golf News, Tim Lobb, Top Courses, Uncategorized
Watch video of the day produced by All One World Media.
This year we held our 13th annual golf day at the glorious Burhill Golf Club on the Old Course in late July. We had a record number of players competing for the Thomson Cup with 40 participants, ranging from existing clients, industry partners and the guest of honour Tim’s father from Australia.
LOBB + PARTNERS have been working with the Burhill Golf Club for a number of years now and this year we got to play to the new par 3, 6th hole which was completed in the previous winter.
Don Lobb playing to the new LOBB + PARTNERS 6th hole.
In the 39 deg c heat the golfing challenge had never been so fierce but we are happy to say that all golfers got around and the champion golfer of the year was Mark Ganning of Hunter Industries, making him a two time winner of the Thomson Cup.
Mark Ganning, winner of the Thomson Cup with Tim Lobb.
Thanks must go to Burhill Golf Club for keeping us hydrated and putting on such a wonderful event for us. Also to our dedicated participants who played with a smile despite the extreme conditions.
40 players enjoyed the annual LOBB + PARTNERS Golf Day
Till next year.
Happy golfing.
Tim L.
Written on September 12th, 2019 by Tim and stored in Our projects, Tim Lobb, Uncategorized
World renowned golf course photographer, Kevin Murray recent shot our completed major renovation works to The Springs Golf Club in Oxfordshire.
Kevin Murray capturing the moment on hole 3.
We worked closely with original design and Ryder Cup star Brian Huggett to keep his philosophy and spirit within the design. The newly bunkered course asked many strategic questions and provides an interesting challenge for golfers. The construction works were carried out by Profusion Environmental over the hot summer of 2018.
Blinder liner was placed in the bunker with a fescue top to provide texture and durability.
The stunning 8th hole.
Our works included the re working of many lake edges, which was re constructed using high quality marine treated French Oak. The wood and craftsmanship is first class and adds to the quality of the golf offering.
Some of the French Oak sleeper details in lakes.
The gorgeous Oxfordshire countryside bordering the newly bunkered 4th hole.
Clients Darwin Escapes were passionate to create a stunning course for their members and guests to enjoy. We think we have achieved this and thank Kevin for capturing the beauty of The Springs Golf Club.
New bunkering on hole 12.
The Home hole at the beautiful Springs Golf Club
Good golfing.
Written on June 25th, 2019 by Tim and stored in Our projects, Tim Lobb, Uncategorized
The European Institute of Golf Course Architects recently held its annual general meeting in Paris. The meeting was the best attended in the Institute’s history with over one hundred and thirty people present, and saw Tim elected as Vice-President, in support of the new President, German architect Christoph Städler.
“It’s a huge honour to be nominated as EIGCA Vice-President,” says Tim. “I see my role as supporting Christoph in his work as President, working to enhance the status of golf course architects across Europe and to give the best service we can to our members.”
(left) Past President – Ross McMurray (centre) President – Christophe Staedler (right) Vice President – Tim Lobb
EIGCA’s President’s Cup golf tournament was contested on Harry Colt’s Golf de St Germain, and the Albatros course at Golf National, host to the recent Ryder Cup, but time constraints prevented Tim from playing. But he wasn’t too disappointed to have missed out when he saw the scoring! “Golf National is one of the hardest courses in Europe, and our group was something like 750 over par in total,” he says. “Luckily we are making a living from designing golf courses and not playing them!”
Written on May 14th, 2019 by Tim and stored in Tim Lobb, Top Courses
Lobb + Partners is expanding into Canada, with the news that former European Golf Design staffed Alex Hay has come onboard as a Canadian partner and design associate. Canada, where more than one in seven of the population plays golf, is one of the most dynamic golf markets in the world. Here’s a brief interview with Alex.
What’s your background in golf?
Though I was born in Surrey in the south of England, my father is from Fortrose in Scotland, and he introduced me to golf at an early age. On family trips back to Scotland, we played courses like Nairn and Fortrose & Rosemarkie. I was a member of Epsom Golf Club in Surrey for twenty years, and I play to a seven handicap.
Young Alex Hay learning golf in Scotland.
How did you come to be in Canada?
My wife Alaina is Canadian. We met in London and lived there for ten years – we have two sons aged five and seven – and we decided to up sticks and move to Whistler in Canada. I worked for European Golf Design for ten years as well, so I was keen to stay in the design business after my move.
Alex Hay and Tim Lobb during Canadian workshop in Whistler.
Why Lobb + Partners?
I have known Tim for many years through the EIGCA and admired his new build courses, but I was impressed by his growing list of historically significant projects in the Surrey area where I grew up playing. Canada has the oldest courses in North America and participation in golf is among the highest in the world. I hope to bring some of our experience to courses in British Columbia and beyond.
Written on May 14th, 2019 by Tim and stored in Tim Lobb, Uncategorized
Tandridge Golf Club in Surrey has taken on the services of Lobb + Partners to carry out renovations to its historic Harry Colt-designed course.
Tim Lobb, whose past projects include work on Colt courses at St George’s Hill and Blackmoor, is determined that Colt’s legacy will be honoured in a sympathetic, long-term renovation that will retain his original design philosophy while bringing the course up to date for the modern age.
The skyline 12th green
Colt’s original course dates from 1924, and Lobb has been engaged by the club to carry out a ‘course-evolution programme’, retaining its natural and historic character.
Lobb and his colleagues have gathered extensive historical data on the course, including aerial photography from English Heritage from the 1940s, ’60s and ’90s, as the team looks to assess potential changes in a systematic way.
Historic aerials used during the research period.
Tandridge’s course director, Peter Allington, said: “Many improvements have been made to the course over the past ten years, but it is imperative we continue to move the club forward in a controlled and planned manner, so we are looking to produce and implement a course evolution plan for the next decade and potentially beyond that. Tim brings a professional and creative approach to the design process, while always respecting the Colt philosophy, and he maintains a ‘hands-on’ presence during the construction phase.”
L-R. Peter Allington, Tim Lobb and Iain Dyer onsite at Tandridge GC
Written on May 14th, 2019 by Tim and stored in Golf News, Our projects, Tim Lobb, Uncategorized
The final design of Thomson Perrett & Lobb (TPL) to open – NEWGIZA in Egypt’s capital Cairo – has been described as “instantly one of the elite courses in the Middle East and North Africa”.
The golf course architecture firm – comprising the late Peter Thomson, the five-time Open champion, and his fellow Australians Ross Perrett and Tim Lobb – began the project in 2005. NEWGIZA is located five miles from the Pyramids, which are visible from the tee of arguably the new course’s outstanding hole, the par-3 4th.
The dramatic 4th hole, par 3 with the Pyramids as a backdrop. WOW
One of Europe’s leading golf travel writers Chris Bertram played NEWGIZA soon after it opened and believes it is already one of the finest courses in the region. “NEWGIZA overshadows any Spanish resort course I’ve played and compares favourably with almost every course in the Algarve – it’s up there with somewhere like Monte Rei,” said Bertram, who compiled Golf World’s Top 100s for 10 years and now edits National Club Golfer’s travel section and ranking lists.
The stunning 12th hole at NEWGIZA.
“It surpasses anything in Belek except for possibly Carya, which also happens to be a TPL design, and is better than anything I’ve played elsewhere in Egypt and Morocco. It is instantly one of the elite courses in the Middle East and North Africa by virtue of the variety of holes and consistent entertainment. And even early in its life, it is immaculately conditioned.”
Perfectly conditioned playing conditions at NEWGIZA. Here is the 9th hole.
While NEWGIZA’s quarry setting gives the course a striking atmosphere, it added to the difficulty during construction.
“Working on this NEWGIZA course has been an incredible journey from complex design work, challenging construction conditions to seeing the course mature into a grown-up golf experience,” said Tim Lobb, a Partner of design firm TPL.
“We have been blessed with a wonderful client who supported our ideas, passionate construction teams and incredible greenkeeping staff to produce the course we see today.”
The design incorporates the natural quarry features. This is the split level par 3, 6th hole.
Ross Perrett, Partner of TPL added: “Since first walking the site in 2005 we knew we had the potential to do a unique course in this quarry setting just out of Cairo. Working hard with the client and development team we planned a course that would explore a lot of the site, including views of the Pyramids and give a context to the local cultural landscape.”
The 13th hole with large great and stunning quarry setting.
NEWGIZA is a championship-length course characterised by often dramatic changes in elevation, water hazards and huge undulating greens. There is no rough, with landscaped sandy waste areas lining the fairways, and the only way to lose a ball is in lakes. On and around the huge greens, however, it is a constant challenge, with significant movement in every surface.
The challenging uphill par 4, 18th hole at NEWGIZA
Renowned golf course photographer Kevin Murray was commissioned to shoot the course during the Alps Tour event that it staged at the beginning of April.
“To set a course against one of the true wonders of the world is a brave and daring proposition,” says Sussex-based Murray. “The vision to craft a layout that sits naturally in the imposing terrain of NEWGIZA is a skill not many are blessed with. From a playable and visual perspective, the design delivers at the very pinnacle of great golf course architecture”. “I was very proud to be chosen as the first golf photographer to capture the brilliance and majesty of NEWGIZA,” Murray added.
Approach to the par 5, 14th hole. What a stunner.
View Kevin Murrays photos via video preview: https://vimeo.com/328522373
The course is part of a huge 680 hectare development at NEWGIZA in the south-west of the city that includes upscale housing, sports arena, hotels, schools, universities and a vibrant community hub.
Notes to editors:
Since the retirement of Peter Thomson from Thomson Perrett & Lobb in 2016 and his subsequent passing in 2018 NEWGIZA will be recognised as the last Thomson Perrett & Lobb golf course design to open.
Since 2016 Tim Lobb has been operating as UK Based LOBB + PARTNERS and Ross Perrett as Australian based Perrett + Webb.
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