Robert Rock to oversee Leatherhead Golf Club renovations

Robert Rock, in conjunction with James Edwards Golf Design, employed to supervise new construction project at Leatherhead Golf Club

Robert Rock

Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship winner Robert Rock has been appointed by Play Golf World to manage Leatherhead Golf Club's course renovations.

Play Golf World, who own and operate four golf complexes across the south, has also called on James Edward Golf Design to facilitate the project.

The clubhouse and last two holes had to be sacrificed when the M25 was constructed in 1983, but apart from that, the general layout has changed very little over the past 50 years.

Play Golf World is ready to make sweeping changes to the 108-year-old course, and see Rock and James Edwards as the perfect combination to transform their vision into reality.

The company want to modify the clubhouse and return the course to its traditional parkland layout whilst maintaining modern playing surfaces.

James Edwards, founder of James Edwards Golf Design, said: "This is a very exciting project for us which will see the course return to being one of the top courses in the south."

On Rock's inclusion in the project, Roger Hyder, Head of Operations for Play Golf, said: "Robert is an old friend of James' and is keen to get involved with his company and design work for when he eventually hangs up his playing boots.

"His input has been invaluable as we are trying to toughen up the golf course for the longer hitting and arguably better golfers.

"We believe the course and clubhouse renovations, along with the introduction of the Levy membership, make the Leatherhead a very exciting place to be a member of." 

Nick Bonfield
Features Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x