Details have emerged of the extensive preparations being made by St. Mellion Estate ahead of their hosting of the British Challenge presented by Modest! Golf Management. The Cornish facility has confirmed the completion of a series of improvements both on and off the course.

Following a 15-year wait to welcome back elite golf to the West of England, St Mellion say the preparatory work is almost complete on the 36-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course.

The changes, which include new tees at the 12th and 14th, have extended the course to over 7,000 yards for the first time. Also, all of the 47 bunkers have been reshaped by Nicklaus Design while significant additional drainage works and a Toro irrigation system has been installed.

As significantly, the fairways have been top-dressed with 500 tonnes of sand annually to improve surface drainage and year-round playability. The extensive work has been overseen by BIGGA Master Greenkeeper Mike Bush.

“The changes made to The Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course form part of a much wider ethos to continually seek improvement in every aspect of the resort,” said Mike. “The new tees and refurbished bunkers will be the most obvious additions, but committing to an annual programme of top-dressing for the fairways, as well as the greens, tees and landing areas, has made a significant difference in terms of playability. Add to that the new irrigation system, and I would safely say we’ve never been better prepared to host a top-class tournament such as the British Challenge.”

The British Challenge takes place at St Mellion from 6-9 October, 2022.