Design firm hired to look at ways to enhance playing experience of famously raw Cornish links.
Perranporth Golf Club in Cornwall in the south-west of England has appointed Lobb + Partners as its consulting architect. Founded in 1926 and designed by the legendary James Braid, Perranporth is extremely unusual in that it has largely been left untouched since the club was founded.
“The course is a glorious blast from the past, I love it and love its settting,” says Lobb. “There are a lot of blinds shots, which adds to the thrill of the golfing journey, and which make the course stand out from the norm, given that most old links have been extensively reworked to remove a lot of the blindness and other quirk. It’s such a raw experience – and we don’t want to lose that, rather to enhance it. Today’s golf is becoming sterile – we want to retain the course’s unique feel.”
The stunning Perranporth golfing terrain
Lobb says he hopes to enhance the course, and also the landscape of the property in general. “We have done a lot of work on landscape improvements in our heathland work, and the same priorities apply on a links,” he says. “Course manager Rob Cook and his team have already done some great work in this respect, encouraging marram and other coastal species in the roughs, as well as the appropriate fine grasses in the playing areas, and it is my hope that we can help them go even further. As far as course work goes, we will explore the entire property – which is pretty vast – to look for opportunities to improve the experience for all golfers. But I am not going to sterilise it – the rawness is an essential part of what makes Perranporth such a fabulous place to play.”
Lobb and Course Manager Rob Cook have spent significant time reviewing the course.
Club chairman Graham Parkyn says that this partnership is a big step for Perranporth. “Our course is basically still as Braid designed it back in the Twenties, and we don’t want to lose that feel, so it was crucial for us that Tim understood that,” he explains. “To have someone of Tim’s standing partnering with us is very exciting for the future wellbeing of the club and course. Tim has spent quite a bit of time over the past few years getting to know the course and people, and his passionate desire to work here was very attractive from our perspective. We look forward to a productive partnership for years to come.”
Written on June 22nd, 2022 by Tim and stored in Uncategorized
Recently Tim Lobb photographed the completed bunker and heathland restoration project at Worplesdon Golf Club. The works were carried out over three winters finishing in 2020/21 with contractor FJ Lovell onsite with assistance from the green keeping team led by Paul Robinson.
Really enjoyed building these fairway bunkers on hole 12
The stunning 13th hole from above.
The 18th hole in all its glory
To see more have a look at the video we did using our cool like drone – DJI Mini 2.
Click this YouTube link: https://youtu.be/0weSz74OJig
Written on April 24th, 2022 by Tim and stored in Our projects
As reported by Golf Course Architecture magazine.
Lobb + Partners presents plans to Isle of Purbeck membership (golfcoursearchitecture.net)
Lobb + Partners has presented renovation plans to the members of Isle of Purbeck Golf Club in Dorset, England.
Following the design firm’s appointment in August 2021, its principal Tim Lobb, who is also the president of the European Institute of Golf Course Architects, has created a plan that focuses on restoring the site’s heathland.
The grand heathland site of Isle of Purbeck
“We are also concentrating on widening the playing corridors to open up playing angles on many of the holes and reducing the possibility of lost balls,” said Lobb. “Forward tees are another focus, with the aim of broadening the golfing appeal and ensuring we retain and enhance the heath carries as much as possible. A limited number of back tees are to be added.
“Our plans also include increasing the number of pin positions on greens to offer golfers more variety, while the number of closely mown approaches will be increased to add more challenge.”
Stunning drone images taken at Isle of Purbeck
Watch: drone footage of the golf course
Lobb is working with course consultant David Langheim and course manager David Field to ensure that the proposed design solutions produce a golf course that is “sustainable, strategic and fun”.
Written on April 24th, 2022 by Tim and stored in Uncategorized
In the recent and highly regarded Golf World rankings for the Middle East and North Africa, NEWGIZA in Cairo was ranked #11th in the region and #1 in Egypt.
Recent Golf World rankings
NEWGIZA ranked #1 in Egypt and #11 in the region
Additionally El Ein Bay on the Red Sea also were prominently seen in the rankings and came in at #38 for the region.
El Ein Bay #38 in region
We really regard this as something special as the Golf World rankings are some of the most considered and un-bias rankings in the golfing media.
Congratulations to all Clubs listed.
We hope to add more to the list in the coming years.
Tim L
Written on March 1st, 2022 by Tim and stored in Our projects, Tim Lobb
L+P has begun a three year programme of renovation works at the Harry Colt-designed Blackmoor GC in Hampshire, England.
Colt built Blackmoor in two stages. Nine holes were opened in 1913, and the other nine were completed after the First World War, opening in 1923. Much of his design remains, though four holes have been completely lost to housing development.
“Although the club lost four holes to housing, Blackmoor is fortunate in that it is mostly surrounded by open heath, owned by the military – in fact, the course was largely built for the use of officers from nearby Borden and Longmoor Camp and residents of the neighbourhood,” said Tim. “We have been advising the club for several years – we spent a lot of time going through the club’s archive and understanding the landscape nature of the course – and now we have jointly decided it is time to put spades in the ground, so to speak.”
Tim Lobb with Course Manager, James Norris during construction Blackmoor GC
The club initially hired L+P because of their experience working on heathland courses, and particularly their experience of working at Colt’s St George’s Hill. “The works are going to extend over three years – this year we are working on holes six, seven, thirteen, fourteen and fifteen, focusing on restoring the heathland environment and improving the bunkers, which have become in need of some TLC,” said Tim. Contractor Profusion Environmental is handling the construction work.
Written on December 23rd, 2021 by Tim and stored in Uncategorized
L+P’s Canadian office has started another project, at the Okanagan Golf Club in Kelowna, British Columbia. The project, being led by Canadian Partner Alex Hay, is focused on redeveloping the eighteenth hole of the club’s Quail course, originally designed by architect Les Furber.
“The old eighteenth was a difficult hole after a testing 17th green, and when developer Burrard International began construction on a new housing development that requires use of a portion of the eighteenth fairway, it was an opportunity for GolfBC Group to hire us to work on building a new 18th hole,” said Alex. “Construction work has just started – we have progressed well so far with very good conditions for the time of year, almost too dry at times!”
Construction of new eighteenth hole is being completed by Goodwin Golf
Alberta-based contractor Goodwin Golf is handling the construction work at The Okanagan Golf Club. “The location is spectacular, and I’m confident we can build a finishing hole that will live up to the surrounding environment,” said Alex.
Written on December 23rd, 2021 by Tim and stored in Golf News, Our projects
Tim Lobb MEIGCA has become the 12th President of the European Institute of Golf Course Architects (EIGCA). Elected as President at the 2021 Annual General Meeting in Cardiff, Wales on 13th October, Tim pledged to focus his term on the importance of design in the future of golf.
On his appointment, Tim says: “We, as golf course architects, have the power to shape the future. We need to design courses that are relevant in our modern day society. It is our chance, now, in a post-COVID world, to bring families and young people into golf. We must create the facilities that make golf interesting and fun.
“I will use my term as EIGCA President, and the platform this provides, to drive ahead with the message that the design of a course is fundamental to safeguarding the future of golf. We need to stress how the design of courses helps promote the game of golf, for all.”
Tim’s pledge to focus on the importance of design in the future of golf, follows three themes:
- Collaboration – greater collaboration with other international associations to promote the exchange of ideas and experiences to achieve a broad understanding of our industry from a global perspective
- Awareness – seek an enhanced appreciation in the wider (non-golfing) community of the positive environmental effect of well-considered golf course design
- Impact – encourage stakeholders in the wider golf industry to understand and appreciate the importance of our expertise and the fundamental impact they have on the future of golf for all.
Australian-born Tim Lobb MEIGCA has worked in golf course design for 25 years. After starting his career in Melbourne, Tim moved to Kuala Lumpur and in 1998 settled in the UK where he worked with European Golf Design and later formed a partnership with Peter Thomson and Ross Perrett. Based in Surrey, UK, Tim formed LOBB + PARTNERS in 2016 and has additional offices in Canada and South Korea.
Tim Lobb concludes: “I wish to thank Christoph Städler MEIGCA for what he has achieved during his term as President and for his support by nominating me for this role. I look forward to the next two years and working with Caspar Grauballe MEIGCA who begins his term as Vice President.”
Tim Lobb (middle) with Caspar Grauballe (left) and Christoph Staedler (right) in Cardiff
An inspirational conference presentation from profoundly deaf EIGCA Member, Ben Stephens on living and working with a hidden disability
First round of Presidents Cup at the mighty Royal Porthcawl in Wales. The early groups prepare.
Well done Paul Kimber on winning the Presidents Cup
The inaugural Paul O’ Brien memorial trophy (Partners comp) was won by Keith Duff
As always thanks to Julia, Wendy and Lindsey from EIGCA HQ for organising and running such a spectacular Annual Meeting in Wales.
See you in Iceland 2022.
Notes to Editors:
- The European Institute of Golf Course Architects (EIGCA) represents Europe’s most qualified golf course architects. Members have shown through their skill, experience and training that they are able to design and oversee the construction of golf courses to the highest standards. EIGCA works to enhance the status of the golf course design profession, increase the opportunities for members to practice throughout the world and educate future golf course architects.
Written on October 21st, 2021 by Tim and stored in Our projects, Press Releases, Tim Lobb
In the first week of October, Canadian Partner Alex Hay, commenced with the Associate Program with the ASGCA.
Held in Cleveland, Ohio the event was a celebration of the 75 years anniversary for the Association and recognised celebrated golf course architects Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw with the Donald Ross award.
Alex Hay participates in ASGCA, meeting in Cleveland, Ohio
Many thanks must be given to the ASGCA staff and leadership for the warm welcome that was received and for such a well run event.
Congratulations Alex on this fantastic achievement and step forward.
Written on October 8th, 2021 by Tim and stored in Uncategorized
Chris Bertram and Golf World have recently published a ranking of the Top 100 Modern Courses in Europe – that is courses built in the last 30 years. Surely a renaissance period for golf course design and development.
Proud to have been involved with these two projects in the past.
Time to add a few more to the list for the future
Tim L
33. Carya
Belek, Turkey
The course we rate as the finest of a very strong collection in Belek. It was laid out by Thomson, Perrett & Lobb in 2008 – with Tim Lobb continuing to make astute refinements today. Heathland in look, with heather, white sand bunkers and mature pines, it is a real class act.
The early days of Carya construction is seen above.
Carya Golf Club ranks highest modern golf course in Turkey
86. Linna
Hameenlinna, Finland
Tim Lobb, while working for European Golf Design, laid out this Finnish course in 2005 and it is a fixture in our Continental Top 100. It travels over often distinctly undulating land and between towering pines to create a tranquil test.
Linna Golf – a truly spectacular setting and amazing clients to work with. Dreams do come true.
Read the full listing here:
Golf World Top 100: Best New Golf Courses in Europe | Today’s Golfer (todaysgolfer.co.uk)
Written on August 27th, 2021 by Tim and stored in Uncategorized
Some super news from our UK office and an exciting appointment which see us consulting to the spectacular Isle of Purbeck Golf Club in Dorset.
L+P start work with Isle of Purbeck Owners David Suruki and Kathy Tatar (Tim Lobb on Right)
Very pleased to start working with the Club on an exciting long term golf and landscape enhancement strategic plan.
Such a raw and spectacular golf course experience which will only get better under the ownership of David Suruki + Kathy Tatar, guidance of Master Greenkeeper David Langheim and all the greenkeeping team.
Views to die for at the Isle of Purbeck. What an opportunity.
Watch this space. Tim L.
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