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GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture Discussion Group => Topic started by: Jonathan Davison on December 06, 2014, 06:16:23 AM

Title: Cockermouth GC - James Braid
Post by: Jonathan Davison on December 06, 2014, 06:16:23 AM
Cockermouth GC.
To carry on the Cumbrian theme. Cockermouth Golf Club is a James Braid design situated just outside the lovely town of Cockermouth. The golf course is a rustic, simple design with stunning views of the surrounding fells. Years ago it was maintained by a couple of greenkeepers and a few sheep. Now the sheep have gone and the club has a full team of greenkeepers with shiny new fairway mowers, I preferred the course before.

1st green
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc26/jondava/Cockermouth%20GC/DSCF3627.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/jondava/media/Cockermouth%20GC/DSCF3627.jpg.html)

View to the second
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc26/jondava/Cockermouth%20GC/DSCF3626.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/jondava/media/Cockermouth%20GC/DSCF3626.jpg.html)

An older photo of the second hole, a short par 4 with out of bounds left and right.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc26/jondava/Cockermouth%20GC/DSCF2416.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/jondava/media/Cockermouth%20GC/DSCF2416.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Cockermouth GC
Post by: Jonathan Davison on December 06, 2014, 06:22:42 AM
View of the second green from the 3rd fairway.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc26/jondava/Cockermouth%20GC/DSCF3630.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/jondava/media/Cockermouth%20GC/DSCF3630.jpg.html)

(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc26/jondava/Cockermouth%20GC/DSCF3635.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/jondava/media/Cockermouth%20GC/DSCF3635.jpg.html)
The lovely third green, great contours a couple of rugged grassy bunkers.

The quirky 6th green with a basic cut and fill
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc26/jondava/Cockermouth%20GC/DSCF3639.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/jondava/media/Cockermouth%20GC/DSCF3639.jpg.html)

Looking back down the 6th
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc26/jondava/Cockermouth%20GC/DSCF3643.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/jondava/media/Cockermouth%20GC/DSCF3643.jpg.html)

Hole 7, stroke 1, 405 yards uphill and normally into the prevailing wind
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc26/jondava/Cockermouth%20GC/DSCF3645.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/jondava/media/Cockermouth%20GC/DSCF3645.jpg.html)


Title: Re: Cockermouth GC
Post by: Jonathan Davison on December 06, 2014, 06:26:33 AM
Hole 10, a short blind par 4. Pick your line from the tee.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc26/jondava/Cockermouth%20GC/DSCF3649.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/jondava/media/Cockermouth%20GC/DSCF3649.jpg.html)

10th green with everything falling down into the green.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc26/jondava/Cockermouth%20GC/DSCF3652.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/jondava/media/Cockermouth%20GC/DSCF3652.jpg.html)

11th green
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc26/jondava/Cockermouth%20GC/DSCF3657.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/jondava/media/Cockermouth%20GC/DSCF3657.jpg.html)

17th, a lovely little downhill par 3.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc26/jondava/Cockermouth%20GC/DSCF3663.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/jondava/media/Cockermouth%20GC/DSCF3663.jpg.html)

An older picture of the 17th
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc26/jondava/Cockermouth%20GC/DSCF2444.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/jondava/media/Cockermouth%20GC/DSCF2444.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Cockermouth GC - James Braid
Post by: Thomas Dai on December 06, 2014, 07:13:54 AM
Splendid stuff Jonathan. Seems like every corner of GB has a James Braid 'rural and rustic special' tucked away somewhere, either with or without sheep (and cattle).
atb
Title: Re: Cockermouth GC - James Braid
Post by: Bill_McBride on December 06, 2014, 09:22:13 AM
I didn't know Braid was into cone shaped mounds.   ::)
Title: Re: Cockermouth GC - James Braid
Post by: Jon Wiggett on December 06, 2014, 12:21:07 PM
Thanks for the photos Jonathan.

Braid does do a lot of very artificial looking modelling on his courses which I really like and prefer to much of the faux scruff natural being produced in recent times.

Jon
Title: Re: Cockermouth GC - James Braid
Post by: Mark_Rowlinson on December 06, 2014, 12:29:44 PM
Thanks for a sight of these. It looks and feels rather similar to Welshpool (also Braid). You remind me that I have a lot of gaps in my travels that must be closed. M
Title: Re: Cockermouth GC - James Braid
Post by: jeffwarne on December 06, 2014, 12:50:22 PM
Thanks for the photos Jonathan.

Braid does do a lot of very artificial looking modelling on his courses which I really like and prefer to much of the faux scruff natural being produced in recent times.

Jon

+1
Title: Re: Cockermouth GC - James Braid
Post by: Thomas Dai on December 06, 2014, 01:05:52 PM
.....It looks and feels rather similar to Welshpool (also Braid)........

Exactly my thought when seeing the photos, sheep apart that is.

Welshpool - http://www.welshpoolgolfclub.co.uk/pages.php/index.html

Shades of Machynlleh too - http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,58792.0.html

A James Braid tour comprising only his rural rustic courses located in what are thesedays largely out-of-the-way places would be damn good fun IMO. Cheap greenfees too!

atb
Title: Re: Cockermouth GC - James Braid
Post by: Adrian_Stiff on December 06, 2014, 03:11:28 PM
I didn't know Braid was into cone shaped mounds.   ::)
Was his Madonna period.
Title: Re: Cockermouth GC - James Braid
Post by: Neil White on December 06, 2014, 03:35:29 PM
Looks interesting to say the least.

Had a look at Moreton and Cummings' book and it mentions Cockermouth is a Braid re-design from a initial layout by a guy named ' Renouf'.

I wonder how much is actually Braid?

Thomas,

I agree with your suggestion of trying out his more rustic courses - there are plenty to choose from - where shall we start?  :)
Title: Re: Cockermouth GC - James Braid
Post by: Paul Gray on December 06, 2014, 04:52:21 PM
.....It looks and feels rather similar to Welshpool (also Braid)........

Exactly my thought when seeing the photos, sheep apart that is.

Welshpool - http://www.welshpoolgolfclub.co.uk/pages.php/index.html

Shades of Machynlleh too - http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,58792.0.html

A James Braid tour comprising only his rural rustic courses located in what are thesedays largely out-of-the-way places would be damn good fun IMO. Cheap greenfees too!

atb


And more than a hint of Eastbourne Downs.
Title: Re: Cockermouth GC - James Braid
Post by: Jonathan Davison on December 08, 2014, 05:24:58 AM
Neil,
I am not sure but I think its mostly Braid. The course has two greens which stick out, the 4th and 5th which are really a basic cut and fill and could be the work of the club.
Title: Re: Cockermouth GC - James Braid
Post by: Jon Wiggett on December 08, 2014, 06:14:14 AM
Jonathan,

the square shaped cut and fill green is classic Braid so there is a good possibility they are his work.

Jon
Title: Re: Cockermouth GC - James Braid
Post by: Brian_Ewen on December 08, 2014, 09:42:22 AM
Thanks for the photos Jonathan.

Braid does do a lot of very artificial looking modelling on his courses which I really like and prefer to much of the faux scruff natural being produced in recent times.

+1
Title: Re: Cockermouth GC - James Braid
Post by: Niall C on December 09, 2014, 09:19:09 AM
Jonathon

Thanks for the photos. I thought I'd played there but looking at the photos clearly I haven't although I wish I had.

Cheers

Niall
Title: Re: Cockermouth GC - James Braid
Post by: Sean_A on December 16, 2014, 04:01:21 AM
JD

Thanks for the photos.  Is the course as hilly as it looks?

Ciao
Title: Re: Cockermouth GC - James Braid
Post by: Marc Haring on December 16, 2014, 04:10:09 AM
Vicious slope on this fairway.

(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc26/jondava/Cockermouth%20GC/DSCF3643.jpg)
Title: Re: Cockermouth GC - James Braid
Post by: Mark Pearce on December 16, 2014, 04:40:19 AM
Vicious slope on this fairway.

(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc26/jondava/Cockermouth%20GC/DSCF3643.jpg)
Not sure I fancy putting on that green, either!
Title: Re: Cockermouth GC - James Braid
Post by: Jonathan Davison on December 16, 2014, 05:03:31 AM
Sean,
The course is a bit hilly, a couple of tough walks on the back of the legs.

That fairway isn't that bad, I only posted the picture to show the beautiful Cumbrian countryside.
Title: Re: Cockermouth GC - James Braid
Post by: Jonathan Davison on December 16, 2014, 05:11:14 AM
Looking from fairway.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc26/jondava/Cockermouth%20GC/DSCF3640.jpg) (http://s219.photobucket.com/user/jondava/media/Cockermouth%20GC/DSCF3640.jpg.html)