Extension and Extensive Refurbishment of Royal St Georges Golf Club

Royal St Georges, a prestigious golf course located in Sandwich, embarked on a major renovation and extension project to improve its facilities, modernise the club’s look, and enhance the overall member experience. The project involved 3 phases of work to enable the Golf Club to remain open throughout the project.

Phase 1 – Heavy refurbishment with internal alterations to enlarge and reconfigure the kitchen, alter and extend to install a new committee room, expand the Hickory room/snack bar and improve the staff accommodation and back-of-house areas, including a courtyard extension.

Phase 2 – New build office accommodation and ladies locker room which involved masonry superstructure sited on an extensive reinforced concrete raft due to the poor ground conditions and high water table. The new build is then linked to the existing building with an external oak staircase and a glazed canopy.

Phase 3 – Mechanical and electrical refurbishment to the remaining clubhouse, a complete strip-out and installation of new mechanical, electrical, fire and data systems, along with making good and redecorations throughout.

Challenges:
– Preserving Heritage: One of the key challenges was maintaining the historical elements of the clubhouse while updating it for modern use. Careful consideration was given to retaining the charm and integrity of the original building while seamlessly integrating contemporary design.
– Minimising Disruption: Since the golf club remained operational during the renovations, ensuring minimal disruption to the members and golfers was crucial. Careful scheduling and phased construction helped achieve this goal.
Ground Conditions: The project encountered delays due to poor ground conditions and a high water table, which impacted the construction timeline due to dewatering systems being required. However, strategic planning allowed for the timely completion of the main aspects of the project.