Edinburgh, Scotland: Swan Golf Designs (SGD) has been appointed at Stirling Golf Club to carry out a comprehensive review of their course, following in the footsteps of Old Tom Morris, Willie Fernie, James Braid and Sir Henry Cotton in making an input into its design.
Situated in Kings Park in the shadow of the historically significant Stirling Castle, Stirling Golf Club was formed in 1869 although there is evidence that golf has been played on this site since 1505.

Despite having only seven holes set alongside the old Stirling racecourse to begin with, the club benefitted from the expertise and fame of four-time Open champion Young Tom Morris as its first professional.
In 1892 Old Tom Morris travelled from St Andrews to modify the now nine-hole course, before it was extended to 18 by Royal Troon’s Willie Fernie in the early 1900s.
More significant changes were overseen by two more Open champions – Braid in 1938 and Cotton in 1967 – which have resulted in the course that is played today.
Now, almost 600 years since golf was first played on the site, Swan Golf Designs has been tasked with bringing the course into line with the modern game.
SGD’s focus will be on retaining the important historic features whilst taking into account improvements in playing equipment, higher golfer expectations in terms of playability and course condition, and the need to ensure safety for both golfers and other visitors to Kings Park.
It is anticipated that renovation work will begin in autumn 2014, with the first phases including improvements to the bunkering and the restoration of the indigenous landscape.
*Swan Golf Designs is an Associate Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation. For further information, please visit http://www.swangolfdesigns.com/