Joseph Cyril Bamford founded JCB in 1945 with a can-do spirit. Today, there are 22 global factories manufacturing over 300 types of machinery. The company is successful enough that in the UK, the company name is used as a generic term for excavators and diggers. I once knew a golfer who took such prodigious divots with his 5 wood that he was called JCB! Given the scale of the company, it isn’t surprising that Lord Bamford’s vision for his new course was ambitious. To execute the plan, JCB engaged European Golf Design’s Robin Hiseman.
Having known Robin for many years, I may be slightly biased. Be that as it may, after countless conversations and games of golf over several years, it is abundantly clear that Robin is an exceptional person. Several attributes come to mind which could be used to describe Robin. He is knowledgeable, affable, patient, keen eyed and after nearly 30 years in the golf design business, Robin remains hungry to not only design courses, but seek out new golfing adventures. Knowing Robin's inspirations for this job were the World Atlas of Golf, Tobacco Road, Oakmont and Crystal Downs left me in no doubt that something memorable was in the works with him at the helm of JCB G&CC.
The course covers a 240-acre property near JCB’s main manufacturing site in Staffordshire. The mandate called for an adventurous and sophisticated design which could test elite golfers. While attractive and loaded with elevation changes, the site is clay based. As such, the design required extensive construction (~650,000 cubic meters of earth were shifted!) to blend the man-made and natural elements into a cohesive and playable course. This design approach, when combined with the necessary space to host top level golfers means the walk is difficult, but not undoable. In truth, if the ruined Woodseat Hall was the clubhouse as was contemplated, two significant road-bound walks would be eliminated.
Onto the 1st hole where no punches are pulled. Playing over water to a raised green, JCB's opener is quite secluded from the remainder of the course. Incidentally, this hole required perhaps more earth moving than any other hole for the project. The tee markers are a firm reminder of JCB.
While generally not an issue, I wonder why the trees on the right were not taken down. I much prefer full sightlines to bunkers. The mantra on this approach is to keep the ball between yourself and the hole.
The layout reminds me quite a bit of a Gertrude Jekyll designed manor house garden. Large gardens offer the advantage of creating "garden rooms". One gets the sense of entering different garden rooms at JCB. With the exception of the approach to the 3rd green, holes 2-4 are very open and inviting. #2 tee shot.
Many of the greens are very creative without being oppressive. In some cases, experience playing the course can be advantageous when it comes to setting up approaches and putting. Below is the approach to the very difficult front hole location hanging just over a dip.
A seamless transition from the second green to the back tee of #3 is a welcome touch. A par 5, the third is about a 75 degree dogleg left. One can go over the bunkers which are deceptively further away than appearances suggest.
Looking down the fairway, it did strike me that blind danger was about.
I didn't properly appreciate the narrow target until well up the fairway. The water is a restored section of an old canal.
The opening four holes twist and turn enough to disguise the fact that the 4th runs parallel in the same direction as the 2nd! I am sure hole construction also aided this cause. We can play for the left side of the 4th fairway, but the (often blind) approach to this diabolical hole location remains troublesome. I am not keen on the mound top tree plantings on this hole and the odd place or two elsewhere.
Bamboozled Boony.
More to follow.
Ciao