The first 30 years of the St Mellion International Resort


By: June 21, 2018

Would you believe that Jack Nicklaus initially turned down the request of the original owners’ (the Bond brothers) to build a new course next to the Kernow course (was opened in 1976; aka The Old Course), just because of the steeply sloping topography?

Yes, this is one of the interesting stories of the St Mellion International Resort.  Jack Nicklaus’ 1st European golf course was officially opened at St Mellion on the Devon Cornwall border in 1988.

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Milestones & achievements of the St Mellion International Resort

  • The Bond Family for the sake of diversification decided in 1976 to create and build St. Mellion Golf & Country Club (now known as St. Mellion International Resort), which is opened by WH Bond.
  • In 1978 St Mellion International Resort hosted its first major international event, the PGA Cup match between GB&I and USA club professionals (GB&I won).
  • The Tournament Players Championship of Europe was subsequently held at St Mellion in 1983 (winner: Bernhard Langer) and 1984 (winner: Jaime Gonzalez). The tournament was then known as the St Mellion Timeshare TPC.
  • Hosted the Benson & Hedges International Open for six consecutive years between 1990-1995.

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  • During the construction of the Jack Nicklaus designed golf course, 1.5 million cubic yards of Cornish landscape were rearranged.
  • Recently-ranked in the #2 slot among 4-Star golf resorts in the UK, and at 15th overall as regards golf resorts in Great Britain & Ireland, St Mellion’s two immaculate 18-hole European Tour golf courses, the Nicklaus Signature Course and The Kernow Course, have earned it the #2 ranking in England as regards resort golf.
  • St Mellion International Resort is the flagship venue of Crown Golf, Britain’s largest owner and operator of golf clubs. Crown Golf bought in 2004, the entire property.
  • In 2009 the resort opened a new 80-room AA 4-star hotel which has become the centerpiece of this highly-acclaimed, multiple award-winning destination for both leisure and business in the south west of England. This was a £20 million investment.
  • Also in 2009, the Jack Nicklaus designed golf course has undergone £2.5m worth of upgrading.
  • It almost became the host venue of the 1993 Ryder Cup.
  • In 2018, planning permission has been granted for up to 199-holiday homes to be built at St Mellion International Resort.

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