The Players Club

The Players Club in Codrington, Gloucestershire, features the Stranahan course, designed by the American team of Dr. Michael Hurdzan and Jack Kidwell. This partnership brought a transatlantic perspective to the English countryside, blending contemporary design principles with the region's natural landscape. Hurdzan, known for his environmental sensitivity and agronomic expertise, collaborated with Kidwell on numerous projects throughout their careers, and their work at Codrington reflects their characteristic attention to playability across different skill levels. The course occupies rolling Gloucestershire terrain, where the routing takes advantage of natural elevation changes and existing landforms. The design philosophy emphasizes strategic options rather than penal hazards, encouraging golfers to consider risk-reward scenarios based on their abilities and the day's conditions. Bunker placement and green contours reward thoughtful course management, while the overall layout maintains a rhythm that balances challenge with accessibility. The Players Club serves a membership-focused community in this part of western England, where golf facilities blend into the agricultural and pastoral character of the Cotswolds region. The Stranahan course represents the club's primary championship layout, providing a test that reflects both American design sensibilities and the expectations of British golfers accustomed to strategic inland courses. The setting offers views across Gloucestershire's characteristic countryside, with the course integrated into the local topography rather than dramatically altering it.