Golf
of design changes in its earlier years led by club founder Archdeacon Scott but, being on common land, no excavations or alterations of the terrain were allowed by the conservators, which has given the blessing of no bunkers or, as Bernard Darwin, the doyen of golf writers, put it; “it is only at the end of a round that we realise, with a pleasurable shock, that there is not a single hideous rampart or so much as a pot-bunker”. At 6,537 (par 72 SSS 72), it is not overly long; “nevertheless, the challenge is inspiring,” he concluded. The Old Course is regarded as being as
natural as any in inland Britain, with heather abounding, gorse, streams, grassy pits and undulations. Probably the most famous hole on the course is the 125 yard, par 3 6th - The Island. Whilst the Old Course glories in its heathland setting, the West Course is
surrounded by lovely woodland, albeit with ample heather. A championship course in its own right, the challenge lies, not in length, but in the demand for accuracy and course management. The September 2013 edition of Golf
World magazine declared the West Course the number one UK golf destination in its ‘Short but Sweet’ list which featured the country’s top courses under 6,000 yards in length. It retains much of the character of its sister course but is laid out on flatter terrain and is considered a “beautiful walk through the heart of the forest without the precipitous climbs!”. Chris has a staff of eight, including a full- time mechanic, who is provided with a fully equipped workshop and state of the art grinding equipment. All maintenance is carried out in-house. “We even have a lathe for machining parts up,” comments Chris.
“Three of the green staff have been with me for over twenty-five years, three nearly ten years and the newest recruit two years. The oldest member of staff is now seventy- eight years old, going strong and does not mind what job he is given. I try and rotate most jobs, although some do excel at some tasks and tend to carry out those.” “When required, I use David Stansfield as
our agronomist and have done ever since Jim Arthur retired.” Being on heathland across a series of
valleys, the soil varies greatly, from sandy/silty soil on the high ground to heavy clay in the valleys themselves. “It drains pretty well though,” states Chris, “and there is extensive drainage in some areas, some of which is well over a hundred years old and still working.” “Greens are push up type, as
“
It is only at the end of a round that we realise, with a pleasurable shock, that there is not a single hideous rampart or so much as a pot-b
bunker PC AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014 I 19
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