PERTHSHIRE, SCOTLAND, January 20, 2016 – The iconic 5-star Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire, Scotland is pleased to announce developments to its James Braid-designed King’s Course this winter. Upgrades will reinstatement original design features of the course and improve its resistance to year-round weather conditions in advance of the course’s 100th anniversary in 2019.
Enhancements include the installation of the latest bunker drainage and lining technology, extensive aeration and sanding, as well as the restoration of several bunkers back into play and heather stands around the course.
“Essentially, we’re bringing the King’s Course back closer to Braid’s original vision,” said Gleneagles Golf Courses and Estate Manager Scott Fenwick. “We will widen the approaches to some of the green complexes to enable traditional pitch and run shots to be played, reintroduce tighter mown turf on green surrounds, reshape the bunkers and raise the sand lines. This should make for a more authentic playing experience. We have a team of 52 green-keepers to call on, as well as contractors with the latest equipment, to help us make these changes quickly before the season gets underway.”
“These developments form another strand of our on-going multi-million pound investment program in Gleneagles’ golf courses and will complement the investment we’ve made in recent years on The King’s Course’s fairway and green drainage systems,” said Gleneagles Director of Golf Gary Silcock. “We’re installing new drains and a Capillary Concrete liner in all bunkers to present the best possible course in all weather conditions. This, along with the design changes we’re making, means the ‘playability’ of this classic Braid course will be even better in 2016.”
About The King’s Course and The Gleneagles Hotel
The King’s Course officially opened on May 1, 1919, alongside its sister course The Queen’s (then a 9-hole course), and was designed by James Braid. In 1921, it served as the venue for the International Match, the first official match between a team of US and British professionals (regarded by many as the precursor to the Ryder Cup). Over the decades, The King’s has played host to countless notable events from the BBC Celebrity Pro-Am series of the 1970s to The Bells Scottish Open and the McDonalds WPGA Championship of Europe.
The Gleneagles Hotel, built in 1924, is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. Located just one hour’s drive from Edinburgh and Glasgow, Gleneagles is set in 850 acres of beautiful Perthshire countryside, and is home to three championship golf courses, including The King’s Course, Queen’s Course, and The PGA Centenary Course, Host Venue for the 2014 Ryder Cup. With 232 luxury bedrooms and suites; a choice of over 20 outdoor activities; an award-winning Spa by ESPA; and four restaurants, the resort is the perfect destination for family travel, and is also where you’ll find Scotland’s only two Michelin-starred restaurant, Andrew Fairlie. Gleneagles can be found on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
