FOLLOWING a widely-acclaimed renovation of its first nine holes last winter, Stoke Park Country Club in Buckinghamshire is to follow suit on holes 10-18 from November.

In keeping with the work undertaken on the Colt course last winter, the scheduled refurbishment of the Alison course will see every bunker fully renovated with the addition of new tees.

The renovation will also include an extensive reworking of the water features on holes 12 and 17, and some cosmetic tweaks to the water hazard on the 16th.

The Alison course will consequently be closed until the spring.

However, 18 holes will remain open throughout as members and visitors can combine the nines of the Colt (1-9) and Lane Jackson (19-27) courses.

Stuart Collier is director of golf at Stoke Park. He explained: “When we began the renovation it was always a three-year plan, with one of each of the nine holes being refurbished each winter.

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: A look down the third hole at Stoke Park Country Club.

“The work on the Colt course has been a spectacular success and we’re now looking to bring the second nine holes in line with the first both in terms of design consistency and playability.

“Additionally, we’re looking to create a truly world class finish to holes 16-18 without losing the feel and aesthetic that Harry Colt was kind enough to leave us.

“In doing that we need to also ensure the course can be played and enjoyed by golfers of all levels.

“We achieved that aim on the Colt nine and firmly believe we will ultimately attain the same high level of design aesthetic and playability on the Alison to ensure the course is at peak condition for the 21st century golfer.”

Included in the renovation are the holes famously recorded for posterity in the 1964 James Bond classic, Goldfinger – holes 17 and 18 – where the eponymous baddie was beaten by Sean Connery in front of the clubhouse.

The work begins on November 1 and the Alison course will be reopened to members on April 21, 2017.