The Players Club

The Players Club's Watergarden course occupies land in Codrington, Gloucestershire, in the Cotswolds region of southwest England. Designed by Dr. Michael Hurdzan and Jack Kidwell, the course represents a collaboration between two American architects known for their environmental sensitivity and strategic design approach. Hurdzan, who holds a doctorate in turfgrass science, and Kidwell worked together on numerous projects during the 1990s and early 2000s, often emphasizing sustainable design principles and naturalistic aesthetics. The Cotswolds setting provides gently rolling terrain and pastoral landscapes characteristic of this designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The course name suggests water features play a significant role in the design, which aligns with Hurdzan and Kidwell's tendency to incorporate existing waterways and wetlands into their routing. Their design philosophy typically emphasizes strategic options for players of different abilities while maintaining environmental integrity through careful site planning and native landscaping. The Players Club operates as a members' facility, though details about its specific membership structure and club culture remain less documented in public sources. The Hurdzan-Kidwell partnership produced courses that reward thoughtful play over pure power, often featuring multiple teeing grounds and green complexes that allow varied pin positions. The Gloucestershire location places the course within reach of both Bristol and Cheltenham, serving golfers in a region with relatively few championship-length modern designs compared to other parts of England.