jun10 stmellionresortreopens

After a £20m transformation, St Mellion International Resort has reopened, confirming its status as the South West England’s premier golf and leisure destination.

With Jack Nicklaus’ first ‘signature’ golf course in the UK extensively refurbished, and restored to European Tour standard in advance of hosting The English Open in 2011, golfers from around the world can now enjoy one of Europe’s highest quality playing experiences at St Mellion.

And a new 80-bedroom four-star hotel, with conferencing and leisure facilities, has also opened at the resort, meaning that Crown Golf’s most prestigious property is now fully equipped to realise the dream of its original founders – to create a world-class championship golf resort in the heart of the South West.

“Visitors to St Mellion now have both accommodation and golf facilities which befit our stunning Cornish location,” said Crown Golf Chief Executive, Stephen Lewis. “And our members can be enormously proud that their golf club now bears comparison with any in Europe.

“The new-look St Mellion represents an investment of several years and £20m by Crown Golf. I believe that our new resort is a fitting flagship for the group, and our position as Europe’s leading owner / operator of golf clubs.”

Both golf courses at St Mellion International Resort have received widespread alterations, with £2.5m spent on a major bunker rebuilding programme, plus remodelled greens, new tees, a new cart path network and a new fairway irrigation system.

The Old Course, opened by brothers Martin and Hermon Bond in 1976, and which hosted St Mellion’s first professional golf tournament – the Benson & Hedges International Open in 1979 – has been re-named The Kernow Resort Course.

The Nicklaus Course, which opened in 1988, and which was Jack Nicklaus’ first golf course design project in the UK, has been re-named The Nicklaus Signature Course.

With new championship tees and an upgrade to every bunker, this famously tough 7,000 yard golf course will host The English Open when The European Tour returns to St Mellion International in 2011.

At St Mellion golfers also now enjoy modernised golf reception facilities including arrivals hall, bag drop area, changing rooms and a resort-style pro shop plus a new golf academy with driving range and practice facilities. St Mellion also has a brand new fleet of 60 electric golf buggies.

Accommodation at St Mellion International Resort has also changed beyond recognition.

Just fourteen months after the resort’s old hotel was demolished, the new St Mellion International Resort Hotel opened in early.

Each bright, air-conditioned room offers freeview plasma TV, free internet access, luxury bedding and a contemporary bathroom with power shower. Many rooms also offer breathtaking balcony views across the golf courses and surrounding countryside.

There are also fourteen self-catering Fairway Lodges at St Mellion, offering flexible accommodation from one to five bedrooms per Lodge – perfect for families, groups and for longer stays at the Resort.

The Resort also now offers visitors a choice of three dining experiences, all overlooking the stunning 18th hole of the The Nicklaus Signature Course.  

Other facilities include 13 conference and banqueting suites, a Spa complex comprising three swimming pools, sauna, steam room, spa pool, group exercise studio and a state-of-the-art gymnasium. Aero Leisure & Spa is open to both members and hotel guests.

* For more info call 01579 351351 or visit www.st-mellion.co.uk

* See issue 259 of Today’s Golfer (out July 16th) for a full report on St Mellion which also incidentally happens to be in 2-FORE!-1 so offers half-price green fees…on both courses!