Northamptonshire County
The very essence of an English parkland course, Northamptonshire County was laid out by Harry Colt in 1909, the official opening being in April 1910. With the onset of the 1st World War and then the years of depression there was never the money available to make serious alterations so that the only significant changes between 1910 and 1939 were a lengtheneing from 5943 yards to 6321 by 1939. It seems that in the early days most of the fairways were made of fast-running heathland turf, but over the years this died out, giving less roll to shots.
During the 2nd World War sheep were grazed on the course, which saved the course from being ploughed up for arable farming, but by the end of the war the course was in a run-down state. There was no money for restoration, so in 1946 James Braid was brought in specifically to reduce the maintainance costs by reducing the number of bunkers, modernising the layout and consolidating the teeing grounds. He also turned the 18th into a right-hand dog-leg to a green right under the clubhouse verandah, a great improvement according to those who knew both holes.
C.K. Cotton was brought in in 1952 to accelerate the process of reducing maintenance costs by taking out further bunkers and planting trees instead. There were 110 bunkers at the outbreak of the 2nd World War and 50 by the mid 1950s. A contributory factor was that the club's own on-site source of sand had been exhausted and now it had to be bought in.
By 1964 it was realised that existing bunkers no longer protected the greens, whose putting surfaces had been greatly reduced in area and a number of reports were commissioned to address this matter and that of public safety on the bridleway which crosses the course. A past club captain, C.K.Cotton and F.W. Hawtree all submitted plans and opinions but no action was taken. Similarly, no action was taken following a report by Donald Steel in the late 1970s. The architect Cameron Sinclair was (is still?) a member and made himself available for consultations thereafter.
I played here occasionally in the late 60s and early 70s when I was an undergraduate at Oxford. It always struck me that it was in far better condition than our Colt course in Oxford, Southfield, but the green fee was a little expensive for more than the occasional visit and you needed to know someone with a car.
The course now measure 6461 yards with a par of 70.
2nd, 519 yards par 5. The removal of a number of bunkers on this hole has left it very unprotected.
2nd from behind.
3rd, 177 yards par 3. This once had a string of bunkers short of and to the side of the green. Now there are just two - long and straight either side of the putting surface.
3rd. Golfers of my wildness didn't need those bunkers restoring - we could get into trouble in the trees, through the back or, even, out-of-bounds.
4th, 314 yards par 4. The carry is considerable for longer-handicap players and ladies which has thwarted any attempt to lengthen the hole. Fairway bunkers which once threatened the drive have disappeared but the two remaining green-side bunkers have been extended to leave a very narrow entrance.
7th, 378 yards par 4. A view from behind the green. This hole has not been significantly altered, apart from tree growth.
8th, 312 yards par 4. All the bunkers have been removed from this hole which leaves it open to attack from the big hitters, and is, therefore, the cause of many a hold up in play. The direct route between tee and green goes straight over the out-of-bounds and a public right of way. It is a dangerous hole.
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