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Brian_Ewen

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Forbes of Kingennie country resort
« on: March 02, 2009, 09:54:01 PM »
It seems like a never ending heid shacking exercise , when I read Scottish newspapers at the moment .

How many plans for new courses do I read about that include the statements , leisure development , world-class, Ryder Cup legend, signature course , golf youth academy , five-star , rival the best in the world , talented team of experts , an amazing golf course capable of offering professionals and amateurs alike a real challenge , golf tourism opportunities , tremendous boost for the area , an international draw , Tiger Woods  ;) ........ when , we want to sell houses would be more accurate ?

And if you wonder what makes me so cynical , if you didnt hear , plans for the new Nicklaus course at Ury , Stonehaven , went belly up last week , after the developer went bankrupt .


http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Ryder-Cup-star-tees-up.5030777.jp

Ryder Cup star tees up golf course plan as part of £55m leisure project
Published Date: 03 March 2009
By FRANK URQUHART

AMBITIOUS plans were unveiled yesterday to build a world-class golf course – backed by Ryder Cup legend Darren Clarke – as part of a £55 million leisure development on an Angus estate.

Mike Forbes, the wealthy local entrepreneur behind the Forbes of Kingennie country resort, has lodged plans to create the Irish golfer's first signature course in Scotland on his estate near to the village of Wellbank.

The development also includes plans for housing, a golf youth academy, and a five-star hotel and spa.

The project is expected to inject £55 million into the Angus economy and lead to the creation of 100 permanent jobs.

Mr Forbes said: "We are thrilled that Darren Clarke is putting his name to and support behind this golf development that aims to rival the best in the world.

"We have put together a talented team of experts to design the development, taking account of the existing community and landscape.

"We believe that, in addition to the obvious benefits to Angus, this development will significantly enhance the area, which is currently largely agricultural, and provide Wellbank residents as well as visitors with outstanding facilities."

He added: "We are now at the stage where we can start to consult with the community over the plans and look forward to hearing their views."

Mr Clarke said he was delighted to put his name to the project.

He explained: "I visited Kingennie during the Open in 2007 and was impressed by Mike Forbes' enthusiasm and his level of commitment to providing a quality experience at his existing resort.

"It struck me that the land surrounding the resort had the ideal topography for an amazing golf course capable of offering professionals and amateurs alike a real challenge.

"I am very excited about being involved in this project – my first signature course in Scotland – which would make sure that golf tourism opportunities extend beyond adjacent Carnoustie and St Andrews."

Alan Mitchell, the chief executive of Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce, also welcomed the plan.

He said: "This is a huge investment which would be a tremendous boost for the area.

"It provides for five-star accommodation, currently lacking in Angus, along with a championship course which will be an international draw, putting this region even more firmly on the global golf tourism map.

"Bringing a world-class resort of this nature to Angus will add to the attraction of Carnoustie and the surrounding area."

The course will be designed by golf course architect Graeme Webster and the Junior Golf Academy will be fronted by Rudy Duran, who was Tiger Wood's first coach.

The Kingennie estate already has a nine-hole golf course, which opened in the summer of 2007, and a driving range.

A spokeswoman said: "The development will also provide additional housing in the village of Wellbank, which will be a mix of executive-style luxury houses along the course edge, and affordable housing mixed with standard residences on the perimeter of the village."

Darren Clarke played for Europe in five consecutive Ryder Cups between 1997 and 2006.

Ally Mcintosh

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Forbes of Kingennie country resort
« Reply #1 on: March 03, 2009, 08:20:22 AM »
Brian,

At least the article is fairly upfront about who is designing the course, even if that isn't mentioned until the end.

Graeme Webster (who is Brian Phillips partner at Niblick Golf Design for those who don't know) also designed the existing 9 hole course at Kilgennie... It is interesting that although referring to Darren Clarke as the "Signature", they never attribute the word "Design" to him....

These kinbd of projects were ten-a-penny in Ireland over the past number of years. A good few of them are currently in melt-down mode.

Didn't know about the Ury Estate going belly-up. Have you heard any latest on the Hazlehead development, Brian?... That one seemed all wrong... Who have the "MacKenzie Group" appointed as their architect for the supposed restoration?

Brian_Ewen

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Forbes of Kingennie country resort
« Reply #2 on: March 03, 2009, 08:49:35 AM »
Ally
The other thing that struck me , was this cant be that far from Letham Grange ?

20 years on , you would think that developers would realise , that model does not work in that area ?

Hazlehead , still looks like going ahead (which is a shame) , although its all been scaled back a bit (probably keep the sub-air greens idea  ;) )

Update from a few weeks ago.
http://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/Article.aspx/1069099?UserKey=
http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1074905?UserKey=
« Last Edit: March 03, 2009, 08:51:28 AM by Brian_Ewen »

Ally Mcintosh

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Re: Forbes of Kingennie country resort
« Reply #3 on: March 03, 2009, 09:09:38 AM »
Brian,

Anyway I can increase the size of that layout for Hazlehead (or access it somewhere else)?... No word on the Architect or what is trying to be achieved on the golf front... Is it a revamp to No.1 leaving No.2 and the 9 holer intact?... Have they got new land to do that? Do any of us know?

Thanks,
Ally

Brian_Ewen

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Re: Forbes of Kingennie country resort
« Reply #4 on: March 03, 2009, 09:32:41 AM »
Ally , try this http://www.humberts-leisure.com/uploads/media/Hazlehead_Golf_Course.pdf , but it might be outdated by now .

The preferred designer has always been Tom Watson !

Ally Mcintosh

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Forbes of Kingennie country resort
« Reply #5 on: March 03, 2009, 09:50:32 AM »
Thanks Brian... That's indeed very helpful

But that was just the Sales pitch for the lease... The Routing Plan is the current one...

The Evening Express article seems to have the proposed Masterplan but I need to increase the size of it a bit.....

I'd love to see this if anyone can enlarge it for me...

Brian_Ewen

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Forbes of Kingennie country resort
« Reply #6 on: March 03, 2009, 10:44:16 AM »
Ally , you would think it would have to be in the planning section of Aberdeen City Councils website ...... somewhere !

Brian Phillips

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Re: Forbes of Kingennie country resort
« Reply #7 on: March 03, 2009, 02:23:21 PM »
Darren and Chubby both made a site visit before Christmas but I was not allowed to talk about it.  I am adjusting the Masterplan for Graeme as we chat here.  8)

Nice routing, no overkill on bunkering or size of greens. I will ask Mike Forbes if we are allowed to load it up here next week.

With regards Ury Estate we are still hoping that the project will be on going just under different company.

Brian, I agree with you to a degree about the "Signature" side of the business but I was in Qatar in February talking to about 20 different developers and it is pretty much all they want.

Our take on it is that we must always be given credit for our design work with the Pro involved.  I will not design anything where the Pro gets 100% credit similar to 'ghost' writing.

Cheers,

Brian
Bunkers, if they be good bunkers, and bunkers of strong character, refuse to be disregarded, and insist on asserting themselves; they do not mind being avoided, but they decline to be ignored - John Low Concerning Golf