Ernie Els’s modernisation of the West Course will come under scrutiny for the first time in tournament play when the first round of the BMW Championship – the Players’ Flagship gets underway tomorrow with many of the leading contenders already voicing their approval. Here, exclusively on europeantour.com, we let Els guide you through each of his changes in hishole-by-hole guide.
Els, Wentworth Club’s Touring Professional, who lives on the estate and has won six HSBC World Match Play title over the famous West Course, was given the task of updating Harry Colt’s masterpiece for the demands of the modern-day golfer.
Working with Courses Manager Chris Kennedy and his team, Els has further toughened the examination paper whilst maintaining the traditions first laid down by Colt in the 1920s.
“The big challenge was the period of time that we had to work with,” said Els. “We only had basically six months and most of that work had to be done in the winter. All credit to Chris Kennedy and his whole crew getting it all done. They did a great job. This course has now got all the characteristics to be played like a US Open course.
“We have more bunkers, more challenges off the tee, second shots, and we wanted to keep the positions that Harry Colt has on the course, the roll face bunkers and so forth.”
The changes have been welcomed by Retief Goosen, the World Number Three and twice a winner of the US Open Championship.
“Personally I felt for quite some time now that the course needed a change, especially over the last few years when the winning scores have been 20 under, which is not really what you want to see around a Championship like this.
“It’s nice to see it has been changed and toughened up a little bit. Expect higher scoring.”
Holder Angel Cabrera added his voice to the chorus of approval.
"I think the changes have been really well done and everything is good," said the Argentine. "He just lengthened the course a little bit, he did not touch the original design."
Twelve months ago Cabrera achieved the biggest victory of his career when he won The European Tour's flagship event by two strokes from Ireland's Paul McGinley.
The 36 year old is known for his prodigious length off the tee and he said he would be suited by the course alterations.
"With these changes, it favours the long hitters," he said. "Especially if the course is wet and soft."
Former winner José Maria Olazábal, refreshed after a five-week break, was also happy with the modernised layout.
"It's wet but I have to say the changes are fair, they are good," said the 40 year old Spaniard.
"The golf course is longer. It demands a higher level of accuracy now than before.
"We are hitting more drivers off the tee. There are a lot of bunkers well placed... and some of the holes we're hitting longer irons too," added Olazábal, the 1994 champion.
"Every hole is tougher now, without question."
European Tour Order of Merit leader David Howell was another who praised the work of Els, Kennedy and his team.
"I think the changes are good and that Ernie has done a good job in general," said the 30 year old Englishman.
"I saw the majority of the course yesterday and it obviously seems more difficult; longer, tougher, better."
