Rollickin' ROYSTON GC

[Sean_A]

Situated on the chalk based Therfield Heath (known Locally as Royston Heath), Royston is a course that will not soon be forgotten. Originally built in 1869 by two Cambridge students, Royston is purported to be the oldest 18 course in England.  After being abandoned in 1871, the course was revived in 1892 on the same site using a similar routing with amendments made for increased yardage and road avoidance.  Much like Cleeve Hill, Royston is common land which allows grazing.  To be honest, the course could do with a few hundred free greenkeepers, alas, it would seem rustlers have scared off the farmers from using this land. Also like Cleeve Hill, plenty of red face walkers can be seen struggling up and down hills. There is one oddity about Royston which I have never come across in the UK.  The club leases the golf course land, but the course is separated from the house by empty land and a recreation area which includes tennis and rugby clubs.  Its must be a couple of stout par 4s between the first tee and the bar, however, there is parking available near the tee.





As is usually the case with most hilltop courses, the start of the round involves climbing. The first hole attacks the hill in a full on frontal assault. 


Photos don't do the hills justice. Royston is probably the most severe walk I have encountered. That is our very own Whitty bringing up the rear.


The second legs right further up the hill.  A dead straight hole, some of that hard climbing we did on 1 & 2 is sacrificed on the very good third.


Deep into summer I imagine it is difficult to fly the bunkers and hold the green.


More to follow.

Ciao

[Clyde Johnson]

I've been wanting to get here Sean - It's not a part of the country I've spent much time in. Looking forward to the rest of the tour...

[Adam Lawrence]

One of the two men who started golf on Royston Heath in 1868/9 was George Gossett, the son of the Revd. Isaac Gossett, the founder of Westward Ho!

[Thomas Dai]

Looks cool. “...probably the most severe walk I have encountered.” says something though given some of the courses you’ve visited.
Atb

[Sean_A]

ROYSTON TOUR CONT

A nasty long two-shotter back up the hill is what the 4th is about. For many the second is blind; perhaps 25 yards short of the green a trio of bunkers await. Royston's purple patch begins with the 5th. Crossing a broad valley, this par 3 is quite difficult.  The landing zone short of the green is the target for a bounce up to the green.  Being about 25 yards deep, there isn't much space to hit and hold the putting surface when the course is keen.


We were a bit confused as to the whereabouts of the short 6th, but we eventually were wowed by the sight. I think this is a fairly new hole, maybe 25 years old.




As with most very hilly courses, the harsh walk can be exacerbated by longish green to tee walks. The 7th is among many holes which involve dead time walking. However, this dogleg right uphill hole is good. It is very similar to the 2nd, but I think a better version due to a more interesting green.


If it wasn't for the view of the green from the 6th, the 8th would come as a great shock.  Tee to green the hole isn't inspring in the least. Luckily, all holes include greens.  The narrow green seems to hang off the edge of the hill!




15 is lower left and 16 upper right.


Good golf continues with the par five 9th, aptly called Round The Corner.  Somewhat similar to Addington's 12th, the fairway plunges for the drive leaving the golfer the decision to stay on high ground or hit the drive further and risk a blind second. A banger, downhill par three opens the back nine. 


More to follow.

Ciao

[Thomas Dai]

Fascinating. Looks a right rollercoaster.
Splendid photos and angles.
Atb

[Michael Whitaker]

As Sean says above, this is the most severe walk I think I have experienced in golf. Not only are there severe golf holes, but the hikes between holes are no picnic. I’d wager the total distance is at least 7 miles.


Playing this course on a regular basis would make you one tough buckaroo!

[Sean_A]

ROYSTON TOUR CONT

After climbing to the 11th tee, it was apparent that the next two holes were downhill which meant the inevitable!  The 11th is a good hole compromised by trees and a narrow fairway.




The long, blind par three 12th is not very memorable.  However, the short two-shotter 13th is not a hole one will likely forget...and for the wrong reason. This is yet another connector hole, but the steep incline is very severe. The shelter near the green is the most interesting aspect of the hole!


14 didn't make much of an impression, but the 15th was a pleasant surprise. This sharp dogleg right is more "normal" and very welcome!




More to follow

Ciao

[Michael Whitaker]

I can’t believe you didn’t show a photo of the uphill 13th!!! It is the essence of Royston. 

[Sean_A]

I can’t believe you didn’t show a photo of the uphill 13th!!! It is the essence of Royston.

I didn't want to scare people!

ROYSTON TOUR CONT

There is another very tough climb to the 16th tee and up to 16 green, but this fairly short par 3 is good.


The penultimate hole is a bit of a slog par 5 coming too late in the round. Yet, I do like the runaway green.  Many of the bunkers have a lovely eroded look which is far more attractive than the pristine pits seen at many high end clubs.


The home hole, a 340 yard plunge to the green, is fun, but fairly straight forward.


Royston is in the tradition of other hilltop, common land, rustic courses which I often enjoy.  However, the course takes hill climbing a step or two beyond the pale. That said, there are several very good holes such as 5-8 and as one would expect, beautiful views on offer. If in the area and feeling energetic, it might be worth while stopping in for game.  2021

Ciao   

[Mike Morrison]

One of the two men who started golf on Royston Heath in 1868/9 was George Gossett, the son of the Revd. Isaac Gossett, the founder of Westward Ho!

The other one was Andrew Graham Murray who would go on to become Lord Dunedin in 1905.  He was also the Captain of the R&A in 1892, of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers in 1894-95, and three times the Captain of Sunningdale in the 1920s.

[John Mayhugh]

Royston seems worth a look. Especially after I threw caution to the wind and watched a flyover of the 13th....
I've never seen a greensite like the 6th.

[Sean_A]

Royston seems worth a look. Especially after I threw caution to the wind and watched a flyover of the 13th....
I've never seen a greensite like the 6th.

The 6th is similar, but not as good as Church Stretton's 3rd.

Ciao

[Tom_Doak]

Cool, but why do they have an Aussie rules football pitch to the right of the 18th? 

[Greg Hohman]

If the local people have ties to Royston Vasey and its proclivities, the hills aren’t your biggest worry.

[Adam Lawrence]

Cool, but why do they have an Aussie rules football pitch to the right of the 18th? 

I'm pretty sure it's a rugby pitch. It's just hard to see the crossbar because of the white vegetation behind it.


Besides, if it were an Aussie Rule field it would be about four times as large!

[Michael Whitaker]

Yes, Adam, it is a rugby field. There were several groups of boys and girls of various ages taking classes.


There is also a very large archery range adjacent to the course. Classes were in session during our visit with large numbers of the local youth participating. I’d never seen that before. It was impressive.