THE Old Course is now the new course at St Mellion, following the grand opening this week of the par-70, 18-hole championship 'Kernow'.

With all nine new holes now fully open the resorts owners, Crown Golf, are hoping the Kernow Course will be the perfect complement to its renowned neighbour, the Nicklaus.

At slightly longer than the original Old Course and with plenty of new tees, hundreds of new trees and some interesting new challenges, the revamped track is the culmination of a two-year, £20million investment in the resort's hotel and leisure facilities.

Golfers used to the Old Course will discover a fresh challenge off the very first tee, with a new par-five 1st, and a string of changes from the 6th, the hardest on the course according to the stroke index, which features an unusual approach to the green over a traditional 'Cornish hedge'.

With three new holes in a row to start the back nine and an all-new par-four 17th, which requires a long carry off the tee over all sorts of trouble, St Mellion are convinced this remodelled layout will prove the cherry on the top for a venue with big plans, which begin next summer with the return of the European Tour to Cornwall for the English Open.

"We have already received great feedback on the improvements, and people seem to be delighted," said St Mellion's golf operations manager, David Moon. "There has been a great deal of anticipation for the new Kernow Course. And the change to the name, Kernow, has also been popular.

"It has certainly undergone some spectacular changes from the Old Course. People hit the ball further nowadays, so our new golf course is longer and a little tighter, and there are some unique and memorable hazards to overcome. However, it is still a fair and extremely enjoyable course for golfers of all standards.

"Cornwall is blessed with some great courses. It's important we get people down to this part of the world to experience them."

Crown Golf chief executive, Stephen Lewis, said the Kernow Course is a top-class attraction in its own right, and should appeal to golfers seeking a less exacting, more forgiving round than they might experience on the Nicklaus.

"Yes, the Nicklaus is a world-class course, but the Kernow is a different challenge," he said. "There are more birdie opportunities on here. It's just a different style of course, even if it's slightly easier.

"While a lot of golfers are masochists, and will always want to play the Nicklaus, sometimes it's nice to have a bit of an ego massage and perhaps play more to your handicap."

For more information or to book a tee-time visit www.st-mellion.co.uk or call 01579 352002.