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22/01/2014
23:42
A New Piperdam...
Piperdam Golf and Leisure Resort are bucking the trend by investing quarter of a million pounds this winter on an exciting redevelopment of their 18-hole Osprey course.
While other clubs in the country have tightened their belts in the last couple of years, Piperdam, located a mere 2.5 miles from Dundee City, have invested in the future with the appointment of a new PGA professional, construction of a fabulous 9 hole “wee piper” golf course, improvements to the driving range and short game area and an extensive clubhouse extension, housing the new professional shop and bespoke changing rooms. The restaurant has also been extended out to the edge of the loch, allowing wonderful views to accompany the already well renowned and excellent food.
The Early Years: The Osprey course at Piperdam was first opened in 1998 and showed some gradual improvement as it matured for the first decade or so. The early years however left many golfers a bit underwhelmed and the opinion that Piperdam was hilly and overly penal became a popular one. Disappointingly this is still a common perception today despite many not having been back in recent years to see how the course has evolved.
More Recent History: It was in 2009 when Piperdam appointed Shaun Anderson as its new head greenkeeper and through his, and his teams, hard work and expertise the rate of progress quickly began to increase. Every year since, the course has improved greatly and we can now boast some of the finest course conditions and putting surfaces around. Further strides forward were taken in 2012 when Piperdam appointed PGA professional Owen Leslie as their Director of Golf and shortly after built a large clubhouse extension to upgrade their facilities with fantastic new proshop and spacious changing rooms.
The Planning: While the progress off the course had been substantial the members and visiting golfers alike were being encouraged to give their feedback about the course. As predicted the consensus of opinion was that the weakest holes were the 5th, 7th and 8th and they more than any others contributed to the opinion that Piperdam was a hilly course. Other feedback noted was that many people found the par threes very demanding and the par fives a bit too long. It was clear that the current layout as it stood was restricting the continued progress of Piperdam as a course and as a club, subsequently the exciting decision was taken to come up with a plan to address these issues.
Director of Golf & PGA Professional, Owen Leslie and Head Greenkeeper, Shaun Anderson set out to create a redesign proposal that would do just that. They set about studying the site and any spare land around the course that might be better utilized for an improved layout and It was decided that any redesign project or new layout would have to achieve three clear goals for it to be worth doing or for it to be successful. These three goals were as follows;
• Remove or dispel any thoughts that Piperdam’s Osprey course could be regarded as hilly.
• Adjust the layout in such a way that makes the course a little less demanding and ultimately more enjoyable for the typical mid to high handicap golfer.
• Simultaneously maintaining a good challenging course from the back tees and one that will excite the low handicapper and ask more questions of their course management.
The Solution: What evolved was a redesign of the Osprey course that will see the current 5th and 6th holes replaced with two superb new holes that will fit in later in the round on the more level ground of the back nine. Additionally substantial changes would be made to another five holes throughout the course including major landscaping works on the current 8th hole to level out the fairway. Once completed the course will still have all of its original character and strengths but none of its perceived drawbacks or weaknesses. The course will evolve into a par 71 that will boast five picturesque and mid-range par 3’s, with four exciting par 5’s that provide many risk and reward opportunities.
The Next Step: Piperdam then drafted in the expert help of renowned Golf Course Architect, Graeme Webster and his construction team Niblick. Webster confirmed that he is enjoying his task and said “I have been working with Owen and Shaun on the Piperdam redevelopment for a number of years now and am enjoying playing my part in making Piperdam a must-play venue”
Piperdam’s resident professional Owen Leslie stated “I have been delighted with how things have progressed and seeing our plans come to fruition is really exciting. Graham and his team are obviously experts at what they do and the quality of their work has exceeded my expectations.”
The Future: This transformation over the winter months will see the golf course boast a very different layout next year. This new course will surely complement the already strong reputation for great course conditions and exceptional putting surfaces. So from as early as this coming spring any one heading to Piperdam for a game will be amazed at its transformation and delighted with what is now on offer. The resort also benefits from a driving range and short game area together with arguably the finest par three course you’ll find anywhere in the country. If you have dismissed Piperdam as a golfing destination in the past for any reason and think you would know what to expect then I’d suggest another look as this is a very “New Piperdam”
More info: Despite the huge investment in the creation of the “The New Course-Piperdam” and its wonderful “off course” facilities, membership and golf will still remain available at tremendously competitive rates. Adult memberships for example, are available for as little as £32.00 per Month. Incredibly, this also includes a host of benefits including; unlimited golf on both courses, buy one get one free on range-tokens, an unlimited number of member's guests throughout the year, and reduced member rates, for everything from lessons and golf-buggies, to food and drinks in the bar and restaurant.
And as a last thought…..One of the biggest concerns from most golfers today is that most clubs go onto winter hours (some from October-March Inc.) with their clubhouse opening times and catering with limited menus, not so at Piperdam, where the restaurant and full catering are available 365 days a year and where a warm open fire and friendly staff are there to welcome you on a cold winters day. With the magnificent changes to the golf course, and unrivaled leisure facilities, could Piperdam be on the verge of producing one of the finest offers available to Scottish golfers.
While other clubs in the country have tightened their belts in the last couple of years, Piperdam, located a mere 2.5 miles from Dundee City, have invested in the future with the appointment of a new PGA professional, construction of a fabulous 9 hole “wee piper” golf course, improvements to the driving range and short game area and an extensive clubhouse extension, housing the new professional shop and bespoke changing rooms. The restaurant has also been extended out to the edge of the loch, allowing wonderful views to accompany the already well renowned and excellent food.
The Early Years: The Osprey course at Piperdam was first opened in 1998 and showed some gradual improvement as it matured for the first decade or so. The early years however left many golfers a bit underwhelmed and the opinion that Piperdam was hilly and overly penal became a popular one. Disappointingly this is still a common perception today despite many not having been back in recent years to see how the course has evolved.
More Recent History: It was in 2009 when Piperdam appointed Shaun Anderson as its new head greenkeeper and through his, and his teams, hard work and expertise the rate of progress quickly began to increase. Every year since, the course has improved greatly and we can now boast some of the finest course conditions and putting surfaces around. Further strides forward were taken in 2012 when Piperdam appointed PGA professional Owen Leslie as their Director of Golf and shortly after built a large clubhouse extension to upgrade their facilities with fantastic new proshop and spacious changing rooms.
The Planning: While the progress off the course had been substantial the members and visiting golfers alike were being encouraged to give their feedback about the course. As predicted the consensus of opinion was that the weakest holes were the 5th, 7th and 8th and they more than any others contributed to the opinion that Piperdam was a hilly course. Other feedback noted was that many people found the par threes very demanding and the par fives a bit too long. It was clear that the current layout as it stood was restricting the continued progress of Piperdam as a course and as a club, subsequently the exciting decision was taken to come up with a plan to address these issues.
Director of Golf & PGA Professional, Owen Leslie and Head Greenkeeper, Shaun Anderson set out to create a redesign proposal that would do just that. They set about studying the site and any spare land around the course that might be better utilized for an improved layout and It was decided that any redesign project or new layout would have to achieve three clear goals for it to be worth doing or for it to be successful. These three goals were as follows;
• Remove or dispel any thoughts that Piperdam’s Osprey course could be regarded as hilly.
• Adjust the layout in such a way that makes the course a little less demanding and ultimately more enjoyable for the typical mid to high handicap golfer.
• Simultaneously maintaining a good challenging course from the back tees and one that will excite the low handicapper and ask more questions of their course management.
The Solution: What evolved was a redesign of the Osprey course that will see the current 5th and 6th holes replaced with two superb new holes that will fit in later in the round on the more level ground of the back nine. Additionally substantial changes would be made to another five holes throughout the course including major landscaping works on the current 8th hole to level out the fairway. Once completed the course will still have all of its original character and strengths but none of its perceived drawbacks or weaknesses. The course will evolve into a par 71 that will boast five picturesque and mid-range par 3’s, with four exciting par 5’s that provide many risk and reward opportunities.
The Next Step: Piperdam then drafted in the expert help of renowned Golf Course Architect, Graeme Webster and his construction team Niblick. Webster confirmed that he is enjoying his task and said “I have been working with Owen and Shaun on the Piperdam redevelopment for a number of years now and am enjoying playing my part in making Piperdam a must-play venue”
Piperdam’s resident professional Owen Leslie stated “I have been delighted with how things have progressed and seeing our plans come to fruition is really exciting. Graham and his team are obviously experts at what they do and the quality of their work has exceeded my expectations.”
The Future: This transformation over the winter months will see the golf course boast a very different layout next year. This new course will surely complement the already strong reputation for great course conditions and exceptional putting surfaces. So from as early as this coming spring any one heading to Piperdam for a game will be amazed at its transformation and delighted with what is now on offer. The resort also benefits from a driving range and short game area together with arguably the finest par three course you’ll find anywhere in the country. If you have dismissed Piperdam as a golfing destination in the past for any reason and think you would know what to expect then I’d suggest another look as this is a very “New Piperdam”
More info: Despite the huge investment in the creation of the “The New Course-Piperdam” and its wonderful “off course” facilities, membership and golf will still remain available at tremendously competitive rates. Adult memberships for example, are available for as little as £32.00 per Month. Incredibly, this also includes a host of benefits including; unlimited golf on both courses, buy one get one free on range-tokens, an unlimited number of member's guests throughout the year, and reduced member rates, for everything from lessons and golf-buggies, to food and drinks in the bar and restaurant.
And as a last thought…..One of the biggest concerns from most golfers today is that most clubs go onto winter hours (some from October-March Inc.) with their clubhouse opening times and catering with limited menus, not so at Piperdam, where the restaurant and full catering are available 365 days a year and where a warm open fire and friendly staff are there to welcome you on a cold winters day. With the magnificent changes to the golf course, and unrivaled leisure facilities, could Piperdam be on the verge of producing one of the finest offers available to Scottish golfers.
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