[Adam Lawrence]

This story has been bubbling under for a long time, and now it's public. I know all Rob's friends on here will be delighted to hear he has such a good-sounding project, and will join me in hoping it moves smoothly through planning and into construction. CONGRATULATIONS ROB!

http://www.golfcoursearchitecture.net/Article/Equipment-manufacturer-JCB-to-build-new-course-near-English-HQ/3004/Default.aspx#.UtAAoHlNGxo

[Rich Goodale]

I have good family friends who work at Caterpillar who can help Robin get some world class equipment

[Eric Smith]

Congratulations, Robin! Wonderful news and well deserved. Thanks for the report, Adam.

The idea of restoring the eighteenth century mansion sounds really cool as well. I looked up the estate and found this photo dated sometime between 1920 - 1939:



Is this the same place?

[Ally Mcintosh]

Finally public...

Well done Robin and EGD... Here's hoping all goes well with planning...

Ally

[Niall C]

Congratualtions Robin. Presumably it's going to be a minimalist project..........

Niall

[Robin_Hiseman]

That's the building Eric. The clubhouse will be a modern glass structure set behind the stabilised, ruined facade.

[Robin_Hiseman]

Congratualtions Robin. Presumably it's going to be a minimalist project..........

Niall

Thanks Niall, thanks Ally

We're excavating about 280,000m3, mostly from just two holes, the 1st and 13th and spreading it around the adjoining holes. Some parts of the site have very minimal earth moving, other parts a heck of a lot. I don't know how you define that, but we'll shape what is appropriate to get the result...and the drainage!

[Thomas Dai]

Nice to hear of a new project. Well done.

Can't help wondering whether the tee markers will look like this - although in different colours



atb

[Frank Pont]

Congrats Robin, and nice to see you get to build this one under your own name!

[Scott Weersing]

So I saw that there is a island green and accompany tee for the next hole.

Is this an existing island and lake or one you are creating? Will there be a bridge or a boat to access the island?

When do you think this course could open for play?

[Bill_McBride]

Great news Robin, well done!   Hopefully you won't be too tied up and have to miss the Buda Cup at St Enodoc in September.  

Scott, the article refers to "an existing wooded island."   And the plan at the bottom of the article appears to show an out and back bridge.  Could be a bit of a delay there while players on the 17th tee wait for players on the 18th tee to hit and head back across the bridge.

Cheers.

[Bob_Huntley]

Robin,

Well done.

Will we have a touch of Strantz in the finished product?

Bob

[Paul Nash]

Congratulations Robin - looks a really exciting project. Will it be closed to the public and just for JCB and will they have members.

[Jason Topp]

Congratulations Robin!  I always wished the Bahrain event would have lasted a few more years to see how the tour players adjusted to your course there with more experience.  

I hope you get the freedom to create a course exactly as you wish to build it.

[James Boon]

Nice work Robin, as its just down the road from me, I look forward to hearing how this progresses. When is it in for planning?

Cheers,

James

[Robin_Hiseman]

I'll work through the questions as they came in.

Scott: It is an existing island. It and the lake were formed in 1969. We will build a causeway to build the green and 18th tee. The island will be enlarged. The causeway will be retained for maintenance access, but we like the idea of creating a chain ferry, with two boats running back and forth, so there is always one in the dock. The course will be up and running by 2018.

Bob: Yes indeed! I haven't got a 'U' shaped par 5, but I think the educated will see a few traits.

Paul: Primarily it is for JCB corporate use, but the discussions we've been having is that it is envisaged there will be limited public access at times when the course isn't being used for corporate purposes.

James: In for planning by the end of January, so you'll be able to check it all out online. Looking forward to seeing you up there. Will be interested to hear what you think of the architectural proposals.

[Bill_McBride]

I'll work through the questions as they came in.

Scott: It is an existing island. It and the lake were formed in 1969. We will build a causeway to build the green and 18th tee. The island will be enlarged. The causeway will be retained for maintenance access, but we like the idea of creating a chain ferry, with two boats running back and forth, so there is always one in the dock. The course will be up and running by 2018.

I guess you've been to Brocket Hall, right?

[Robin_Hiseman]

Actually no, Bill. But I know of what they've got and yes, I suppose so.

[Bill_McBride]

Robin, it would be an improvement over Brocket Hall to have two ferries.  Bringing the one back across the river brings the action on the 18th to a crawl while you wait. 

[Niall C]

Robin,

Serious question - given who the client is, is there any requirement to shift a humongous amount of earth using their products ?

Niall

[David Davis]

Congrats Robin! Sounds like an interesting project. What degree of flexibility do you have to do exactly what you want to do with this project or are there a lot of owner/environmental limitations or challenges to work through?

I'll be very interested to follow along with the progress. Please post lots of photos.

[Robin_Hiseman]

Niall: no pressure at all in that respect. Reply #6 sets that out. The value to JCB is primarily with the product, not the process, though as the press release mentions, the opportunity to showcase the construction potential of the kit won't be overlooked.

David: as with every design project, we have a client and the responsibility as an architect is to serve your clients requirements. I think we're doing that really well so far. We've still got the planning hurdle to clear, which may or may not impose some limitations on what is proposed. Hopefully not.

[RJ_Daley]

I suppose they may be going for the similar concept as the John Deere headquarters and site of the PGA event in Iowa.  

Is there a separate and more clear .jpg that can be posted of the site design concept plan?  The one in the article is blurry.  

Who did the table model.  That looks like very good word for a model artist.  Also, with the 'training headquarters' right there, will there be a program to send newly in-training operators out to spread a little dirt?    Who will be the actual shapers, in terms of if they are among the few notables that are experienced GC shapers of the Euro architects, if there are a stable of super-shapers like we have here among the Coore and Crenshaw, Hanse, Doak teams?

Congrats on what looks to be a real career validating and reputation enhancing project.  

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=JCB+headquarters,+Staffordshire,+GB&hl=en&ll=52.945483,-1.850724&spn=0.008508,0.017982&sll=44.900771,-89.56949&sspn=5.119656,9.206543&hq=JCB+headquarters,&hnear=Staffordshire,+United+Kingdom&t=h&fll=52.946517,-1.853256&fspn=0.008508,0.034332&z=15

[Robin_Hiseman]

RJ:

Yes, John Deere's set up has been an influence.

The model is just genius. It's been made by a great guy called Jeff Shuttleworth, from Bolton. Jeff came out of retirement to do this special commission. I knew of him from 20 years ago when he made a one-hole model for us at Hawtree. I'd long forgotten his name, but knew just one person who might remember him. Fortunately he did remember him and still had his number and the rest is history.

I'm sure they'll be a bit of on-site training and i'm going to make sure I get stuck in too! We're a little way from appointing shapers, but it is going to be done with some top guys..just so long as they're a dab hand with an excavator!

Here's a better copy of the layout plan and a few snaps of the model. The plan's being tweaked at the moment, so please ignore the par 36 9th hole for instance!

[Mark Pearce]

Robin,

Great news that this is going ahead, congratulations. 

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