Astbury Hall

[Jim Eder]

Has anyone played here? I understand that KK Downing designed the course. Pretty cool that a rocker left a very successful band to follow a dream. Just seems like a very cool story to me. Thanks for any additional info.

[Neil White]

Hi Jim,

I played Astbury last year, only a few weeks after it officially opened. 

To say it was in excellent condition would be an understatement as it was possibly as well presented a course as I had seen.  The greens especially were very true and exceptionally fast.  It is my understanding that Troon are managing both the course and club.

I haven't been back since then, however have heard rumblings that many of the greens have needed to be reseeded due to the cultivar that was used initially having not coped well and in some cases failed altogether. 

As for the course, it is an okay layout albeit fairly short (6500 off the back most markers) with the last hole - a par 3 over water - being the standout hole.  There is possibility of there being another 9 / 18 holes being built on adjacent land which is part of the property.

KK Downing is very hands on and when I visited was actively chatting to visiting golfers in his own inimitable style; nervous tic and all.

I'm not 100% sure but I don't think the club is affiliated to the EGU and and such the members don't have handicaps - I know of a small number of local golfers who have a 'membership' there but use my home course to maintain their handicap.

As for the realisation of a dream - I believe KK Downing's story is one which many of us would love to replicate.

Neil.

[Adam Lawrence]

Scottish golf architect Calum Todd did the design. I don't know how extensive Mr Downing's involvement was but I seriously hope this isn't a trend that goes any further. It's one thing to have professional golfers as signature designers, but in a world where Victoria Beckham can be listed as the designer of a car then anything is possible.

[Neil White]

Adam,

I was sure I had read somewhere that an architect had involvement with the project just couldn't put my finger on it at the time.

The web-site makes no mention of Calum Todd being involved and cites KK Downing as the designer - maybe CT was acting as consultant for items such as drainage and grassing plans?

Neil.

[Rich Goodale]

It's about time that a rock star designed a golf course.  I hope that Alice Cooper reads this and gets down in the dirt and makes it happen in the USA.

[Jim Eder]

Neil,

Thank you very much for the information. I just love stories like this and stories like Brahan. You are so right, KK is doing something many of us think about.

It seems like a round there is worth it especially at the very reasonable price it costs. I am looking forward to getting there in 2014. It looks like a beautiful setting.

Thank you very much for the information.

Adam,

What other courses has Calum Todd done? Do you know of the status of the Dall House project he was doing? Thanks