Cornwall Golf Union
The Famous Nine to Open at Gwel an Mor
Next week sees the launch of a very different and attractive golfing facility in Cornwall.
On Wednesday 27th September, Bernard Gallagher OBE will officially open the Gwel an Mor luxury holiday resort’s unique new 9 hole course, bringing the global world of golfing to Cornwall and specifically to Portreath on the North Cornwall coast.
Gallagher is widely recognised as one of the finest British golfers of his generation. He was the youngest ever player to represent Great Britain at the Ryder Cup, aged just 20 in 1969, and graced the tournament on a further seven occasions as well as captaining Europe three times, most notably to its historic 1995 win on US soil. Bernard racked up a total of 10 European Tour victories, with 12 additional triumphs on the international stage, and, alongside Brian Barnes, holds the rare distinction of having beaten Jack Nicklaus twice in one day. Now a stalwart of the European Senior Tour, he is still going strong after more than half a century on the golf circuit.
So what’s special about Gwel an Mor’s new course? Well it will be the UK’s largest all weather green course and is set to attract enthusiastic golfers from far and wide as each of the 9 holes has been designed in homage to the world’s most inspirational golf courses. Named The Famous Nine at Gwel an Mor, the new golf course is a tribute to the best holes from around the globe; from St Andrews to Augusta; Royal Troon to Sawgrass; Pebble Beach to Carnoustie, with elements of each of these golfing greats inspiring the new course. The hole inspired by the 17th at Sawgrass is shown above and this picture together with others is courtesy of course designer David Cooper, PGA Professional at Remedy Oak GC, Dorset.
Not only a great test but great views from Gwel an Mor too!
Created to challenge and daunt even the most experienced golfers, the course boasts spectacular elevated coastal views, spanning the Cornish countryside surrounding the resort. By sourcing the latest developments in golf course design, utilising all weather greens and tee’s, the course will be playable all year round with the changeable Cornish weather ensuring every game will offer different challenges and conditions.
A press release from Gwel an Mor gives further information on the development of the course.
“With the project 4 years in the making from the concept and design through to extensive landscaping, the course’s architect is PGA Professional, David Cooper. This ambitious project has resulted in over 250,000 tons of earth being imported to create the course’s levels and undulations, with 20,000 tons dug out to complete the Famous Nine’s water features. “
Seen as very relevant to the future of golf, The Famous Nine at Gwel an Mor will take approximately an hour and a half to play, suiting the growing trend of modern golfing with shorter less time-intensive courses. The course has been specifically designed to attract a varied audience; experienced golfers who want to pit themselves against world renowned inspired golf holes that the world-ranking professionals struggle with, as well as junior golfers and those interested in taking up the game. All will have a unique chance to experience in one game holes from a global selection of courses which can rarely be played on by most.
St Andrew's Old Course 17th's Road Hole bunker can be seen in front of this green at Gwel an Mor
“The opening of the golf course and new fishing lake at the resort in September 2017, along with the (earlier) launch of Base Camp indoor play centre is part of a £5m investment by Gwel an Mor in the resort with the addition of these world-class facilities to benefit both guests and locals at Portreath on the North Cornwall coast.”
Golf in Cornwall will be well represented at the launch as CGU County Junior Champion Simon Hobbs (Bowood Park), County Seniors Champion, Simon Harper (St Austell) and CLCGA Ladies Champion Laura Andrew (Truro) will play 9 holes with Gallagher just after the official launch ceremony at 12.30pm. Gallagher will play a further 9 holes from 3.00pm as part of a fourball including Peter Hilton, a Director of the Landish Group who own Gwel an Mor, CGU President Glyn Rowett and the lucky winner of a competition staged by the resort.
To find out more about the Gwel an Mor resort click here
The famous Postage Stamp 8th green at Royal Troon is the inspiration behind another of Gwel an Mor's holes
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