FIRST LOOK: Clarke’s Scottish course

Former Open champion Darren to create championship layout in Angus

Darren good stuff: An artist’s impression of how Clarke’s new Scottish course is going to look when complete

The 2011 Open champion Darren Clarke has unveiled plans to build his first signature Scottish course design near Carnoustie.

Clarke, who won his first major last year at Royal St George’s at the age of 43, has been working with the renowned Scottish architecture firm Team Niblick to create the course at Wyndham Grand The Angus.

The 18-hole championship layout will be the centre-piece of an ambitious five-star luxury resort and it is expected to open in the autumn of 2014 to coincide with the Ryder Cup being played at Gleneagles around the same time. Interestingly, Clarke is hotly-tipped to get the nod to be the European captain for that match.

“The landscape at the location of Wyndham Grand The Angus is absolutely perfect for the creation of a world-class championship golf course,” said Clarke.

“I’ve been working very closely with the talented Team Niblick golf course architects to develop an exciting design which will result in an outstanding golfing experience.

“A successfully designed course leaves you with a fantastic feeling coming off the course and we wanted players to enjoy that same feeling on every single hole.

“This will be a world-leading resort in the heart of the home of golf and I cannot wait to strike the first ball.”

Graeme Webster of Team Niblick added: “Darren and I have created a golf course that will get strategically harder in shot selection as the golfer gets better. Golfers as talented as Darren will often choose the heroic route and when the shot comes off they will be putting for eagles and birdies but, those slightly less gifted will still face a shot selection challenge more suited to their ability.

“Ultimately, we want people to come off the course with smiles on their faces and make it a pleasurable experience that they want to repeat.”

Of his famous collaborator, Webster said: “It’s been exciting to work with Darren as he and I share similar views on what makes a golf course, challenging, rewarding, exciting, fun and thoughtful to play.

“I’ve been working very closely with him since the initial site work. I always had an ambition to meet him and I was not disappointed as, in person, he lives up to his image as a larger than life character.”

The course will be complemented by an array of facilities, including a golf academy and clubhouse. The £60m resort will also feature a five-star hotel with spa, leisure facilities and lodges, and private residential housing.

Construction work on the course will begin early next year.

Bryce Ritchie is the Editor of bunkered and, in addition to leading on content and strategy, oversees all aspects of the brand. The first full-time journalist employed by bunkered, he joined the company in 2001 and has been editor since 2009. A member of Balfron Golfing Society, he currently plays off nine and once got a lesson from Justin Thomas’ dad.

Editor of bunkered