Jim,
Buxton and High Peak is a course I've played a handful of times, though probably not for 6 or 7 years now, but from memory:
As Duncan says it has the higher profile as golfers and none golfers alike will have driven through the course on the A6 road. At times it does feel like mediocre parkland but there are holes of interest.
The 3rd is a uphill par 3 with an interesting green, though I remember it as being mainly blind. I recall somewhere reading that when MacKenzie was at Cavendish he came over and did some work at B&HP and this hole is all that remains? I'm sure some of our MacKenzie experts will put me right on that?
Then the next 3 holes are rather good fun! A Long par 4 where the drive lays up short of an old quarry, then a short par 4 and a mid / long par 3 that both play over some beautiful crumpled land, very reminiscent of links but probably related to old quarry workings or spoil?
After that there is a nice drop shot par 3 at the 8th where you tee off next to the road, and then later a couple of par 4s where you do indeed play over old quarry workings as in the historic photo.
Though not too clear in the photos I suspect the routing has changed at some point in its history. I dont recognise the Alps hole? Not sure which the Cliff is? But the Quarry appears to be taken from about what is currently the 11th upper fairway, looking back towards town.
I would struggle to make myself play here instead of Cavendish, but Duncan, you should give it a go living so close! Perhaps one summer we should meet up for a 36 hole Buxton day at Cavendish and B&HP?
Cheers,
James