1930s Scorecard.
Because of
the barbarous act I am hesitant to write a potted description of the changes to the Eden Course. However, for the sake of clarity, I will outline the changes that were instigated by the need for a driving range and an area for a tented village during The Open. In the early 1980s Donald Steel made the momentous changes to HS Colt’s 1914 design and the immediate knock-on effect of the driving range meant that holes 1, 2, 17 & 18 were lost. Looking at the land, these must have been mainly flat holes which would have required the then fairly inexperienced hand of Colt to fashion something worthwhile. #s 8, 12 and 16 were also eliminated, though the situation with the current 6th and 12th is unclear. I say this because in the original routing the 10th (which many believe is the current 6th) played over the tee of the original 8th. It is clear that 8th hole no longer exists and that the current 6th & 12th run from the same general area in a westerly direction. The old 12th ran along the Eden Estuary in an easterly direction as did old 16 (with its reputedly wild green), but on the north side of the track. Some thought these two holes were the biggest loss of the redesign.
True to form, it sounds like Colt built a masterful set of 3s which has been heavily compromised. Indeed, the redesign has created a disjointed course which is probably better served by dropping 13-16 out of the loop; making for a grand 14 hole course. Or, for those flush with cash, just walk in after the 9th and feel like you just played one of the best nine holers on the planet.
The original layout was around the London & North Eastern Railway. As was the case many times in the past, Colt called upon Franks, Harris Bros to build the course. Perhaps the most respected site foreman in the UK, I believe Claude Harmon was entrusted with seeing the job come to fruition.
1. Practice range replaces 1, 2, 17 & 18.
2. The old 8th is eliminated.
3. The old 12th is eliminated.
4. The old 16th is eliminated
5. Steel builds at least five entirely new holes: 10, 14-17 and possibly 12.
6. The current 12th may use the old 10 green or be an entirely new hole of Steel’s design. The area for the 6th and 12th is unclear to me.
Hole Order:
1. Old 3rd green
2. Old 4th
3. Old 5th
4. Old 6th
5. Old 7th
6. Old 10th green?
7. Old 13th
8. Old 14th
9. Old 15th
10. New par 3
11. Old 9th
12. New par 4?
13. Old 11th
14. New par 4
15. New par 3
16. New par 5
17. New par 4
18. New par 4 prior to Steel’s redesign on other side of the tracks from the original par 3
A look at a Colt bunker on the NLE 12th.
Colt's sketch of the NLE 17th green.
Of all Harry Colt's projects The Eden had to be the greatest source of pride; being selected to design a course at the Home of Golf. There has been some speculation that because of the wild nature of some greens that Dr MacKenzie may have had a hand in the design of the Eden. This conjecture is due to the idea that many didn’t believe Colt designed such bold greens, but evidence shows that at the same time The Eden was built in 1914 that some of Colt’s work at St Cloud in France, St Georges Hill in Surrey and a green or two at Sunningdale were very adventurous. In fact, some of St Georges Hill’s greens were softened not long after the course opened.
The reputation for remarkable greens is immediately borne out on the first hole, a very short two- shotter.
On this day the 438 yard second was unreachable for me. If one knew the course well the goal would simply be to obtain the best position to attack another interesting green.
While shorter than the second, the 3rd poses more problems with the Eden Estuary and The Old Course being OOB.
One may feel a drink might be helpful when pondering this shot.
Yes, that is the 4th tee left of the green.
The breathtaking start to The Eden continues on the 4th, 5th, 6th....
Some may think the dangerous situation of the tee next to the green could be alleviated by shortening the hole to a par 3 length, but the 5th and 8th tees are just long and left of the green.
The green is surprisingly large and deep.
More to follow.
Ciao