London welcomes a new gem to its golfing landscape with the grand opening of The Inspiration Club on June 1st, 2024.
Boasting an investment exceeding £700,000, the club has meticulously crafted a golfing experience reminiscent of renowned links courses from across the globe, promising both challenge and enjoyment for enthusiasts.
“We decided on a links-inspired course because of the nature of the land, and the proximity of RAF Northolt,” said owner and co-designer of the Inspiration Club Tony Menai-Davis.
“The site was flat farmland and because of the airfield, we were restricted on the number of trees we could plant.
The answer we came up with was to shape the terrain and defend the course with clever run-offs and tricky bunkering, in the style of the best links courses.”
“We worked alongside a fantastic team to lay out the shape of the course and then brought in specialists to help with greens, bunkers and tees,” continues Tony.
“Links specialists Mackenzie and Ebert really put their stamp on the green complexes and approaches while EcoBunker Ltd have done an incredible job with the course’s main defence – the bunkers.”
“We’re incredibly proud of this project,” commented Richard Allen, CEO of EcoBunker.
“The bunkering plays such an important part of the make-up of the Inspiration.
The revetting will become one of the most memorable features of the course and helps to give it a real links-inspired feel.”
“I’m 6’4 and some of these bunkers are above my head, so we had to employ clever techniques to give the desired finish and stability,” continues Richard.
“We used the patented EcoBunker Advanced system which incorporates a slim artificial grass-faced wall with a strengthened backfill of cement-modified soil.
“By slimming down the wall cross-section we actually deliver 40% more structural stability, which is especially important for very high walls like those at The Inspiration”.
The walls are also 100% recycled material. They’re made from reclaimed artificial grass sports fields and are also recyclable themselves”.
“We pride ourselves on our technology and our sustainable credentials and this project has given us the chance to showcase them all.”
“And while strategic bunkering will provide a test for any golfer going off line, playability and enjoyment has been at the heart of the course design from day one”, as Tony concludes.
“The Inspiration will be an inclusive course that welcomes every golfer, so we really need to balance the test of golf with golfers’ experience of the course”.
“Our ability-based tees will provide a unique test for golfers of different abilities, and whatever your level, the course rewards good shots and thoughtful course management”.
“But we also want people to know some of the challenges that a links style course should provide – and that includes some really challenging bunkers!“
As golfers eagerly anticipate the club’s opening, The Inspiration Club stands poised to deliver a unique golfing adventure, marrying the allure of links-style play with the vibrancy of London’s golfing scene.
For more information and to book your tee time, visit The Inspiration Club’s website.