Episode 23: Frank Pont - CDP's Bunker Renovation at The Royal Dublin Golf Club
The Royal Dublin Golf Club is the second oldest course on the island of Ireland. In this episode we take explore the bunker renovation project that Clayton, De Vries & Pont have been implementing at Dollymount with the help of DAR Golf Construction, Whitemoss Eco and the in-house links team led by Course Manager Alan Hammond. Frank Pont from CDP joins us in this episode to take a look at the now completed project.
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Show Notes
In November 2019 The Royal Dublin Golf Club appointed the design firm Clayton DeVries & Pont to undertake a bunker study in an effort to reconnect with their Harry Colt design heritage.
Since the Colt revisions in 1920 Royal Dublin has been revised, lengthened, toughened and tinkered with by some of the great and good - including Eddie Hackett and Dr. Martin Hawtree.
CDP initially developed a proposal for member consideration revisiting Colt's original design principles while focussing on positioning that contributes to the overall aesthetic. Once member approval had been granted, CDP, under the auspices of Frank Pont and his colleague Hendrik Hilgert, coordinated the renovation of a significant number of bunkers returning their style to one more in keeping with the clubs' design heritage. CDP also restored elements of Colt’s asymmetric design which had been lost over time.
The Royal Dublin bunker project commenced in November 2022 and is now fully complete..... the members are very happy and cannot wait for the full reopening of the new bunkers and surrounds which is currently planned for May 2023...
Over the course of this episode we initially take a look at Frank's circuitous route to golf course design, we take an in depth look at the renovation process at Royal Dublin and further possible areas for consideration. We also get an update on the renovation works at The Addington, we find out more about Frank's Links Valley project in The Netherlands and get an elevator pitch for a golf trip to Amsterdam or Utrecht.
Additional Resources
For your further enjoyment please find a link below (to my googledrive) the folder includes some additional pieces of content (historical aerials, course imagery, before/afters and how the specific CDP propsals developed over time) that will allow you to follow the conversation in some greater detail ..... should you so wish.
Episode #23 - Royal Dublin Additional Content Link
Many thanks for tuning in!
Special Guest: Frank Pont.