2017-18 Winter Tour: WARKWORTH GC

[Sean_A]

Not 15 minutes south of Alnmouth is the large village of Warkworth with its dominating castle guarding the adjacent cricket club equally as well as the village.  While Warkworth is situated in a loop of the River Coquet, the 1891 Old Tom Morris designed golf course is cheek by jowl with the sea. When the Committee obtained the land the idea was for an 18 hole course, but sussing out the club’s financing, Old Tom suggested 12 holes would be more suitable.  Given that Old Tom was the oracle of all things golf, the club acquiesced.  Somewhere in time three holes were dropped and we are left with nine holes. While the course is somewhat altered, the key holes, 2 & 3 (and 1), were not designed by Old Tom.  This is very surprising because it seemed the case that if there was interesting land that wasn’t too cranky, Old Tom would put it to good use. Money is still not plentiful, but this may be a blessing in disguise for Warkworth is a true members’ club.  There is one paid greenkeeper and everything else to do with the club is achieved by volunteers.  By the way, the course was in very good nick!

In the spirit of members pitching in, the modest yet refined lockeroom was built by a member.


There is often nobody around to collect green fees.




More to follow.

Ciao

[John Mayhugh]

That's some locker room for a member to have built. Interested in seeing what the maintenance crew accomplishes.

Have you played much in Northumberland prior to this trip? 

[Sean_A]

Tucky

No, I only played Alnmouth Village and Goswick prior to Warkworth.  I am greatly encouraged to return to Northumberland and play Dunstanburgh Castle.  I was meant to play it on this trip, but was washed out.  While staying in charming Bamburgh (Victoria Hotel is very good) I stopped in at Seahouses and Bamburgh Castle.  The holes on the seaside of Seahouses looked extremely promising...if it isn't too expensive I will try to play that back nine.  Much of the front nine is across the road on flat land. Bamburgh Castle looked good though the land didn't seem as billowy as at Seahouses. 

WARKWORTH TOUR CONT

The opener takes us straight down to the lower part of the course in the form of a long drop shot short hole.  Even downwind it took a driver to cover the 211 yards...it was cold!  The best two holes come next.  Moving slightly uphill, the 2nd plays over ornery land to a green tucked in a holler.  The 2nd green and 3rd tee as seen from the 1st tee.


In this old photo we can see the 2nd green prior to the awkward expansion of the third tee. Things don't look much different today save for modern maintenance. 








Many of the greens are boldly tilted and devoid of contour.


Not knowing anything about the course, the 3rd took me aback.  The hole climbs sharply out of the holler over bumpy land. 


I thought the hole turned a bit left and continued to climb, until cresting the rise.  The hole actually legs hard right through a half-pipe fairway.




Climbing to a high part of the course and looking over the landscape, it was clear the exceptional golf was finished.  The land is very flat and uninspiring for most of the last six holes, though there are a few highlights remaining. 

Approach to the 4th.


5th tee shot!




Obligatory caravans on #6.


7 & 8 are in no way distinguished, but the 9th raised an eyebrow.  There is OOB left and right and two bunkers blocking the path to the two tier green.




I was told that Warkworth is better than Alnmouth Village, this is patently not the case.  Yet Warkworth is not without charm.  The great 3rd hole, superb 2nd and thrilling drive at 5 may be just enough to tempt many from a day at the beach.  2018

Previous Stops on the 2017-18 Winter Tour.

North Berwick
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,59363.0.html

Alnmouth Village
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,65709.0.html

Little Aston
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,38973.0.html

WHO
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,61415.msg1460548.html#msg1460548

RAC
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,65366.0.html

St Georges Hill
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,36130.0.html

Huntercombe
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,32228.msg633321.html#msg633321

Worcester
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,49998.msg1348691.html#msg1348691

Planned stops: Epsom & Princes

Ciao

[Niall C]

Sean

Count me in for the next trip to Northumberland.

I'm a wee bit surprised you see Alnmouth Village as being clearly better than Warkworth given your photo tour. There certainly seems to be enough ground movement to make it interesting so what was it that made it not quite as good ?

Niall

[David_Tepper]

http://www.warkworthgolfclub.co.uk

Not to be confused with the Warkworth Golf Club in Northumberland County, Canada:

http://www.warkworthgolf.com/

Or the Warkworth GC in New Zealand!

http://www.warkworthgolfclub.co.nz/

[Sean_A]

Sean

Count me in for the next trip to Northumberland.

I'm a wee bit surprised you see Alnmouth Village as being clearly better than Warkworth given your photo tour. There certainly seems to be enough ground movement to make it interesting so what was it that made it not quite as good ?

Niall

Niall

The land for the upper holes is quite flat with little architecture to add interest...so plenty of space to open the shoulders without hinderance. To me, Alnmouth Village has superior terrain which makes it better.  Warkworth though is undeniably a very pretty site.

Ciao

[Tony_Muldoon]

It p+++++ down all morning and I was going stir crazy in my hotel room and I pitched up here at 2.15 with some hope as the rain was definitely thinning out. The honesty box wanted £10 for 9 holes or £15 for 18.  I only had a £20 note and wasn't certain the rains would return.  Paid up and  set off as a fourball of members, started heading for the first tee.


Love Sean's photos but don't forget the camera flattens things. The mounds in front of the second green are surprisingly big, leaving a mid iron blind shot.  And the elevation on 3 is pronounced. This is now my favourite hole in the county, it reminded me of the 8th at RSG, 'on steroids' - where you hit to a higher hidden valley.  Here the harder the prevailing wind blows from the west the less you'd want to try and bite off. Neither of my balls finished at the bottom of the pipe so leaving an awkward approach to one of the best greens on the course.

It may not  be a 'great' golf course but its certianly a fun one with good turf (better than Seahouses) and outstanding views. In style it sits nicely between the linksy Alnmouth V. and the clifftop Seahouses, but the other two have more interesting greens.  The conditions were ideal (one green keeper!)  I found my game and had a great time.  Decided to carry on and go round twice and had to wait on 18 for the fourball to finish 9th green. 

[John Mayhugh]

I'm glad to have had the chance to see Warkworth last year. It's sort of a pity that the best holes are early in the round, but good on Tony for going around twice. The view from the 5th tee helps make up for some less interesting terrain.

[Sean_A]

Spangles

There is a can do spirit about the club which is infectious.

Did you know the layout of the third before teeing off?

Ciao

[Tony_Muldoon]

Spangles

There is a can do spirit about the club which is infectious.

Did you know the layout of the third before teeing off?

Ciao

I recall looking at it in total puzzlement, then consulting my mate Garmin...




Still hard to pick a line though.

[Sean_A]

Spangles

There is a can do spirit about the club which is infectious.

Did you know the layout of the third before teeing off?

Ciao

I recall looking at it in total puzzlement, then consulting my mate Garmin...

Still hard to pick a line though.

I forgot, you are one of those players trying to buy a game  .