After more than a year's hard graft the new-look Birch Grove golf course is a few days away from its official opening.

And for the members and owner Lawrie Marston it is not a moment too soon.

The opening drive will be performed by the Essex Golf Union president on Thursday on the new par 66 layout.

The course has undergone major reconstruction with new holes, five new water features, new bunkers and has also benefited from the planting of more than 150 new trees.

The highlight is the new dog-leg 485-yard par five sixth, which also features a couple of water hazards and has been classed a category five hole by the EGU, making it one of the most difficult in the county.

"The course will look a picture," said Marston. "We are all looking forward to playing it. When the new trees have matured and everything has settled down in around 18 months time it will be a little beauty."

The new greens, under the watchful eye of groundsman Matt Arnold, will be in perfect shape for the opening which is sure to be one of the highlights of captain Alistair Bailey's year.

Former Ipswich, England and Newcastle United soccer manager Bobby Robson, who opened the original course, was unable to attend next week's opening due to his involvement in Euro 2000.

But it is hoped he will make a visit to the Layer Road course some time in August.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.