Tom Simpson Drawings-Blackwell

[Paul_Turner]

Simpson had a distinctive drawing style and these drawings will be familiar to you if you've read his and Wethered's book (eventhough he doesn't include Blackwell).  I don't know much about Blackwell GC-it's not well known in the UK- but I reckon it's a decent course.

[TEPaul]

Very interesting--I love that drawing style.

[Laun]

Blackwell is a nice parkland course just south of Birmingham, and a club where tradition rules. As a golf course, I don't think it is quite in the same league as Little Aston (probably the premier parkland course in the area). From memory, it has a number of quite short and tricky par 4's - ideal for the aging membership; but enough strength to keep it interesting for most.

Unless time has softened the lines, I don't think the course is quite as dramatic as the sketches appear to be, although they do highlight the features and design. I guess that's probably deliberate.

[bodgeblack]

Fantastic photo's Paul. it is amazing how much character Fowler was able to evoke in his sketches. It is such a hard skill to perfect.

His sketches of Cruden Bay are particularly memorable especially when you see the links first-hand.

cheers

Jamie

[Paul_Turner]

Laun

I think you're correct, Simpson exagerated his lines to get the point across, I believe Mackenzie did the same (or they were softened by the construction crew).

The Midlands and Birmingham appears to have much better golf than I previously realised.  I can't exactly see Brum becoming a golf tourist destination, but there are plenty of very good parkland courses, and the occasional heath course.

Jamie

Where did you see those drawings of Cruden Bay?  In the club history?  

[Norbert P]

 Inspiring.  I recently purchased Architectural Side of Golf from Classics of Golf and what a treat it is.