Today sees the general opening of the new David Williams designed course owned by Merrist Wood College situated in Worplesdon near Guildford. Last week David Gilford, the Ryder Cup player, shot a three under par 69 in the opening exhibition match. The club is one of the rapidly growing number of clubs in the Barrelfield Golf Network for whom David Williams has already designed six courses.
Merrist Wood College is one of the premier further education establishments specialising in golf-related studies. These include training courses for golf professionals, greenkeepers and, more recently, the only education course in Europe for golf course architects.
The course has been constructed in the grounds of the college whose magnificent landscape provides a feeling of immediate maturity. The large greens are built to USGA specification, there are multiple tee positions, new water hazards and a host of other features. The main contractor was Whitnell Contracts Limited while the Rainbird irrigation system for tees, greens and approaches was installed by Ocmis Irrigation.