Edzell Golf Club
Another course that is close by to where I stay in the Noth East of Scotland , and one I am sure a few GCA'ers would enjoy.
In last years Golf World's Top 100 in GB , Peter Alliss said that Edzell was a notable ommission , I was surprised and I wouldnt go as far as to say this , as it has a few bland holes among the gems for my taste but in a world where hidden gem is an overused phrase , I honestly believe this inexpensive course is one .
The Golf Club was founded in 1895 and the course was layed out originally by Bob Simpson . By 1933 the course had been altered so many times by several different committees that professional advice was sought from James Braid who had been working on several nearby courses . The course today apart from some bunkering changes and planting of trees is the same course that Braid left us in 1933 .
The only quibble I have with Edzell GC is that I seem to remember much more heather and less green green rough that seems to narrow the fairways more and more each year .
The 2nd :
After a pretty easy short par 4 1st , you are faced with probably the hardest hole on the course , a long par 4 of 446 yards , a blind drive favouring the left side away from the OB and road right , leaves a long blind second with a strange crater to negogiate to reach the green .
The 3rd :
Short par 4 of 310 yards with a blind drive but an accurate one is needed to avoid bunkers .
The 6th , par 3 of 178 yards
The 9th , a reachable par 5 of 478 yards , but an accurate drive up the left is required .
The 10th , a short par 4 of 369 yards
The 13th , par 4 of 415 yards
The 14th , one of my fav. par threes in the area , named Majuba after a Boer War battle .
The 15th , another short par 4 with a blind drive but with OB left and right .
The 16th , named Spion Kop after the famous Boer War Battle .
The 17th , par 3 of 191 yards
The 18th , a par 5 of 508 yards with another blind drive requiring a left to right shot to leave you this view.
Thought I would add this aerial of the course from 1942 , what would Mr Braid make of all that trees nowadays.
