Spion Kop Holes

[Brian_Ewen]

Guys
I really feel like an anorak but ,does anybody know of a golf hole called "Spion Kop" .
Every Spion Kop hole I have played are dramatic with normally a high plateau green (after the battle on the hill "Spion Kop" during the boer war).

If you have played the 16th at Edzell ,a James Braid design in Angus , Scotland you will know what I mean.

I have this list gleaned from books and the internet , can anyone add another ?. Three more and I would have a 'Spion Kop 18'  (Anorak !!!!!! )

Best Regards
Brian Ewen






CANMORE G.C.
FIFE , SCOTLAND
12th 195 YDS PAR 3

CASTLEROCK G.C.
N.I.
12th 430 YDS PAR 4

CRAIGIE HILL G.C.
PERTH , SCOTLAND
5th 376 YDS PAR 4

CRAIL GOLFING SOCIETY
CRAIL , FIFE , SCOTLAND
16th 163 YDS PAR 3

DUMFRIES & COUNTY G.C.
NUNFIELD, DUMFRIES, SCOTLAND
5th

EDZELL G.C.
SCOTLAND
16th 316 YDS PAR 4

KINGS LINKS G.C.
ABERDEEN , SCOTLAND
10th 183 YDS PAR 3

LAUNCESTON G.C.
TASMANIA
13th 174 yds PAR 3

NIGG BAY G.C.
ABERDEEN , SCOTLAND
5th 133yds PAR 3

OTAGA G.C.
NEW ZEALAND
18th PAR 4

STRATHTAY G.C.
PERTHSHIRE SCOTLAND
5th 236 YDS PAR 4

TRAIGH G.C.
SCOTLAND
2nd 452 YDS PAR 5

RAVENSWORTH GOLF COURSE
TYNESIDE ,ENGLAND

THE FLINDERS G.C.
AUSTRALIA

MAKABLESWAR G.C.
INDIA

[RJ_Daley]

Brian, I wonder if that term is the same as the name category of "Knoll Hole" or "Double Plateau".  I don't remember coming across the term -Spion Kop.  Perhaps George Bahto can tell us if CB or Raynor used them interchangeably.  

It looks like you are from GB&I region by your list.  In the States, if you are indeed speaking of what we call knoll holes, I can tell you there are quite a few in the region I live in, Wisconsin.  Many of them were done by Bendelow and Langford.  Of course the Knoll and Plateau are amongst the 22 or so formula holes of CB, Seth and Steamshovel Banks.

A stunning modern par 5 of said double plateau style is #5 Arcadia Bluffs in MIchigan.  Also, Silva has done some similar work at Black Creek in Chatanooga.

Here in Wisconsin, there is #s 1par4, 3par4, 5par5, 6par4, 7par3, 8par4, 14par3, 17par4 and 18par5 at Lawsonia, (in varying degrees of knolls or plateaus)  Langford.  Bendelow has some knoll holes at #1par4 Hickory Hills, #s 3par 4 and 12par4 Quic Qui Oc, and #9par 4 at West Bend.  One of Raynors best is #14par 4 Yeamans Hall.  Heck, there must be dozens of them, if we are speaking of the same thing.

Got any links to pictures of a Spion Kop to see and compare?

[Brian Phillips]

RJ,

No matter what you guys call it over the pond, the holes are definately called the Spion Kop holes on this side of the water.

My favourite football team Liverpool even has a terrace called the Spion Kop. I used to have a season ticket in the good old days when 20 000 of us would stand watching the greatest team in the world.

Brian.

[Brian Phillips]

By the way Brian,

We are all anoraks on this site.  The septics over the water don't know what an anorak is!!

Brian.

They probably don't know what a septic is either..

[Bob_Huntley]

Brian:

You mean they were better than Chelsea?

[Tim Weiman]

Brian Phillips:

What's all this talk about a "pond"? Don't you mean to say "ocean"?

[Brian_Ewen]

Brian Phillips:

What's all this talk about a "pond"? Don't you mean to say "ocean"?

Tim
We say pond you say Ocean .
But do you know what an anorak is ? and what is the American equivalent ?

Brian Ewen

[allysmith]

Brian,

I'm pretty sure there is a Spion Kop at Hopeman G.C. in Morayshire.

One down one to go. How about a 'Braids Brawest' next?

[Brian_Ewen]

Ally
Definetly not one at Hopeman , are you not thinking about the hole that Paul Lawrie put in his all time top ten holes , the 12th , its called  "The Prieshach" (Hey whats a Prieshach ?)

Still requiring three for a "Spion Kop 18" , though I could add the 14th at Edzell , very similar type Par 3 , and it is called after another Boer War battle , "Majuba " .

For all my American friends , who talk of finding a "hidden gem" . If you are in the North east of Scotland , look up Edzell Golf Club , a lovely heathland course . You wont be disappointed .

Brian Ewen

[Rich Goodale (Guest)]

Played Muckhart GC today.  It's 13th is called Spien Kop.  Don't see a lot of similarity with the 12th at Canmore, which I know well.  I think SK is just a name that the Brits used when they ran out of cute little Scottish phrases like Lang Whang and Het Girdle........

[Brian_Ewen]

Thanks for that Rich , that was one I didnt know about , must try and check it out .

All the Spion Kop holes I have been able to visit , the hole has had a high green .

I was always under the impression , it was returning soldiers from the Boer War that were naming the hole spion kop in remembrance of friends lost at the battle of Spion Kop , around 1900-1901.

I cant understand why I cant find one in South Africa ?

Thanks again
Brian Ewen