On my final day of a recent trip to the UK, I had the pleasure of visiting Sunningdale Golf Club. In the few days leading up to my visit, the weather was miserable at best, and my fingers were crossed for some improvement. With a bit of luck, it did and perfect golfing conditions greeted me.
The club were very accommodating and welcomed me like a member. The General Manager greeted me at the clubhouse, showed me through the beautiful building and took some time out of his day to have some lunch. After chatting away over lunch, time got away and I had to quickly make my way to the 1st tee of the Old Course.
It seemed quite a busy Wednesday afternoon, and as a single, I wasn't too keen to be stuck in the middle of three's and fours all day. So, I asked a group of three approaching the tee whether I could join them - they welcomed me without hesitation. The three gents were great company and were able to give me a few pointers along the way. One of the members, in fact, was also a member at Swinley Forest and Royal St George's - lucky man!
A wonderful round on the Old Course followed after meeting the three gents on the tee and Sunningdale left a lasting impression on me - a wonderful golf club, wonderful people, and a golf course to match.
Here are some photos I snapped along the way - although photos never do these amazing golfing venues justice, I think I have been able to portray the scale of the place, the beautiful rolling terrain mixed with the heather and pine, and its overall charm.
Club By-Laws, written by H. S. ColtThe Clubhouse, taken beneath the famous Oak treeThe Clubhouse and putting greenHole 1Par-5, 492 yardsHole 3Par-4, 292 yardsHole 4Par-3, 157 yardsHole 5Par-4, 407 yardsHole 6Par-4, 386 yardsHole 7Par-4, 393 yardsHole 9Par-4, 267 yardsHole 10Par-4, 475 yardsHalfway Hut (after 10 holes)Hole 11Par-4, 322 yardsHole 12Par-4, 442 yards
Hole 13Par-3, 185 yardsHole 14Par-5, 503 yardsHole 15Par-3, 239 yardsHole 16Par-4, 434 yardsHole 17Par-4, 425 yardsHole 18Par-4, 423 yards