Stourbridge GC - photos & confusion

[Mark_Rowlinson]

Yes, Penn is the course on the common. Oxley is surrounded by housing and industry and, despite its Colt pedigree, I remember little of it. I recall Shifnal - parkland with a handsome clubhouse. It probably underwent alterations since then when they built the nearby motorway. I know nothing of its architectural background. I keep meaning to go back to Lilleshall Hall (very late Colt) where my father was a member in the 1960s and where I learned to play. It was wet and poorly conditioned in those days, but I'm sure it is much improved nowadays. Sloth!

[Jon Wiggett]

Yes, Penn is the course on the common. Oxley is surrounded by housing and industry and, despite its Colt pedigree, I remember little of it. I recall Shifnal - parkland with a handsome clubhouse. It probably underwent alterations since then when they built the nearby motorway. I know nothing of its architectural background. I keep meaning to go back to Lilleshall Hall (very late Colt) where my father was a member in the 1960s and where I learned to play. It was wet and poorly conditioned in those days, but I'm sure it is much improved nowadays. Sloth!

Mark,

last time I played Lilleshall Hall at the back end of the 80's it was still wet and in poorish condition though it was wintertime. I recall it as been very constrained by trees and thousands of those little white hoops trying to dictate traffic flow.

Jon

[Mark_Rowlinson]

Jon, I'm pleased, if disappointed, to get your feedback about Lilleshall Hall. Thank you. I have lots of questions about the course and its history. There is a huge difference between front and back nines. When I knew it in the 60s I was told that the back nine were Colt but the front nine was only just recovered from wartime neglect. The wedsite doesn't offer any illumination. But I am thrilled that there is another human being has ventured onto such a little known course.

[Tim_Weiman]

Fascinating to view this course from Google Earth perspective. Pretty sure lawyers would never allow such a course to be built today, unfortunately.

[Mat Poade]

Shifnal is a nice course, fairly flat apart from a couple of holes on the back 9. Pretty parkland course.

Oxley i used to be a member as a junior. I went back a few years ago and its as I remember. Lots of holes running parallel to each other with silver birches either side. Some interesting holes in the corner 11-13.

Penn i quite like. It has some drainage issues though. I was once told that Penn was originally South Staffs, but South Staffs moved to its current site due to the drainage (a long long time ago). Not sure how true that is. It's on Penn Common and I believe they are restricted to what they can do to improve it. Cattle were allowed to roam around at one point, but i think that stopped a good few years back.