The Oxfordshire community flocked to Frilford Heath Golf Club in Abingdon on August Bank Holiday Monday to see European Tour Professional Eddie Pepperell (previously a junior member) play an exhibition match to officially open its long-awaited new Yellow Course.
The Yellow Course sits alongside Frilford Heath’s three existing championship courses. But what sets it apart is that it has been created using Huxley Golf all-weather surfaces.
The course is divided into two accessible loops of three holes each; with the second loop slightly more challenging than the first. It is designed to cater for all standards of golfer, but it will especially appeal to beginners who want an accessible and gentle introduction to the sport, experienced players who want to improve their short game within 100 yards, and the rapidly expanding group of golfers that find it hard to find time to play regularly.
Huxley Golf’s Will Alsop worked with Executive Chairman Alistair Booth and Head Greenkeeper and President of BIGGA, Sid Arrowsmith, to design and create the course. At the opening, Will said: “We were thrilled to be approached by Sid to discuss creating this new course at Frilford Heath.
"Accessible, versatile - and hugely addictive – these short courses give experienced players the opportunity to fit golf into their busy lifestyles as well as encouraging inclusivity by offering juniors and novices a fantastic foundation on which to build their skills.
“Huxley Golf worked with us over a period of 18 months to turn an under-utilised area of woodland into this stunning new feature. In my opinion, the team skilfully created an exceptionally high quality facility that can be used by young and old, novice and professional, and I am proud to have extended our offering in this way.
"It is testimony to its broad appeal that today’s event has been so well attended and I’m sure that it will continue to attract the wider community to experience what Frilford Heath has to offer.”
The Yellow Course’s six greens all measure 1350 sq. ft (125 sq. mtrs) but all are unique in shape and undulations. There are 12 Huxley Golf Premier Nylon Tee Mats, two for each hole, creating a variety of approach shots from differing angles and length with increasing difficulty. The light, bright course meanders its way through avenues of trees with bird boxes to encourage wildlife and natural grass fairways and approaches.
Joining Eddie Pepperell to play at the launch were a keen five year old and centurion Hugh Chamberlain, demonstrating the versatility and wide appeal of the new facility. Eddie is well known for his active contribution to encouraging junior golf in the area, supporting the establishment of the Frilford Heath Junior Academy in 2016 and coaching at local schools.
The PGA accredited Huxley Golf provides premier all-weather surfaces for golf around the world for individuals, training and coaching establishments, golf resorts, ranges and academies as well as many top-flight courses.
