This 1933 map is essentially the same as the course is today.
Suffolk can boast of three golfing doyens; The Sacred 9, Purdis Heath and Aldeburgh. All are immensely respected clubs and courses which regularly feature on best of lists, but it is Aldeburgh which is the focus of this tour. Founded in 1884, Aldeburgh has a messy design history that involves mainly three men; Willie Park Jr, JH Taylor and HS Colt. Some use the mysterious term “maritime heathland” to describe the course, a label sometimes given to Ganton in far off Yorkshire. Located on the edge of the delightful town of the same name, an uncommon strip of heathland separates the course from the Alde Estuary. There is a most pleasant sense of the sea when playing the course.
Card of the course immediately prior to the 1922 Colt/Alison work.
1921 Alison letter to the club.
A traditional two-ball, long sock, dog and dog bowls club, Aldeburgh is bereft of par 5s. Thus, the par of 68 is a severe examination. However, I was pleasantly surprised when walking to the pro shop to find the 10th fairway quite generous. Not quite believing my eyes, I asked the gentlemen teeing off if the entire course was this wide. My suspicious nature was happily corrected. I was led to believe, by many an intrepid golfer, that Aldeburgh is mercilessly long and very tightly guarded with gorse. There is gorse and plenty of it, but there is space to enjoy the game and just as important, the width allowed the bunkers to be meaningful.
Donning my new long socks, we headed for the tee of the very attractive opener, designed by Willie Park Jr in 1907. As was the case for many of the holes, JH Taylor added bunkers a few years later.
The left greenside bunker was removed to great effect in 2008.
Heading back toward the house, the down and up second has had its tee pushed further and further back over the years, making for a dreadful green to tee transition. The hole plays fine from the forward tee.
Another Park Jr hole, the demanding and intimidating dogleg left 3rd is the first of eight par 4s over 400 yards. I have to believe such a focus on demanding 4s has had a negative impact on hole variety. The newish bunker shown in the photo is not visually up to par with many others, however, the green offers plenty of interest.
Perhaps Aldeburgh's best hole and certainly superior to Brancaster's Short (also #4). The combination of terror, beauty and interest is Park Jr at his finest.
More to follow.
Ciao