Blackmoor is one of the few courses which showcases a loop within a loop routing...well nearly. The 13th escapes the front nine outer loop. Given this routing, it should be no surprise that HS Colt is the architect of record. The first 13 holes were built in 1913, although, the club only played a 12 hole loop. Carter & Sons were used to build the greens. After WWI the remaining holes were built. I suspect some holes were altered due to housing along the start of the course. The 2nd definitely feels like it doesn't belong. Presumably if the second was changed, perhaps the 3rd was as well, yet this is a fine hole recently improved by T Lobb moving a greenside bunker to a centreline location. A tight par of 69 keeps golfers honest for a relatively short course; there are five par 3s buffered by only two par 5s.
Tim Lobb recently completed a 3 year project to restore bunkers and generally improve the heathland environment. I wish I knew more about Blackmoor, but I don't. Blackmoor has long been on the back burner of my to see list. Why the back burner? Nobody ever told me I should make an effort to play Blackmoor. After playing the course, I am curious as to why!
The opening tee hangs off the side of the house. The hole is good, nothing brilliant, but a solid start.
The ditch used to cross the fairway and lead to a small pond on the right.
View of the green near the 2nd tee.
The 2nd swings downhill and left between sentinel trees. I don't think the hole fits very well with the design. The 3rd, however, is a crackin hole. Doglegging right around a ditch backed by heather, the approach is then hassled by a centreline bunker. Lobb moved the bunker front and centre as part of the recent project. It fits perfectly with the diagonal figure 8 shaped green sloping away from play.
Behind the green. The ditch can't be ignored!
More to follow.
Ciao