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Ran Morrissett

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July Feature Interview with Richard Pennell New
« on: July 06, 2019, 01:09:23 PM »
https://golfclubatlas.com/feature-interview/feature-interview-with-richard-pennell/

All eyes will soon turn to the northwest of the U.K. for the Open, but before so doing, let’s veer south and east and check in with Richard Pennell, Secretary at Woking Golf Club.

We all face pressures in our daily lives. However, only one person in the world has the distinction of being the Secretary at the course that Bernard Darwin deemed, “The best and pleasantest place to play golf that I have ever known.” Yikes! Talk about added pressure as it seems unlikely - for various reasons - that Darwin will ever write “The even more bestest and even more pleasantest place to play golf that I have ever known”! ;D 8)

Richard took the helm there early in 2017 and as we have read on GolfClubAtlas, good things have continued to occur. Just last winter, Woking embarked on an acceleration of their heather regeneration and tree removal program. Richard updates us on its progress and how results are already being realized. Hard to believe there are ~25 more educational experiences worldwide for a student of golf course architecture than here. Swinley Forest, Sunningdale, Walton Heath and Woking form the nucleus for gaining an appreciation of heathland golf and how golf successfully moved inland from the coast at the turn of the last century. At Woking, be sure to pick up a copy of James Connelly’s 1993 centenary book A Temple of Golf, as he carefully tracks all the changes that occurred during its first 100 years, along with Dick Bell’s Twenty Five Years On, which brings us up to the Club’s 125th in 2018.

This month’s Feature Interview also charts Richard’s career prior to Woking, from selling books in London to Mitcham GC to New Zealand GC to Royal Wimbledon. All three seem to have their own set of charms and the pictures from Royal Wimbledon are drool worthy. NZ and RW represent the low-key kind of clubs where members routinely enjoy a quiet - and quick - hit. Those sorts of clubs proliferate more in England than elsewhere and explain why England remains my favorite country for golf.

For going on 30 months, Richard has been at Woking, the epitome of intelligent design. Simply put, to appreciate golf architecture history is to appreciate Woking but that isn’t to imply it is stuck in the past. At over 6,600 yards and played against a tight par of 70, it has gained over 1,000 yards since its inception. Since its centenary in 1993, the course has picked up ~300 yards and possesses some steely two shotters like 3, 8, 9, 13, and 17. You will hit every club. 

I hope we can do more Feature Interviews with Club Secretaries going forward (we did one with Stephen Toon at Sunningdale in 2011). After all, people don’t pursue that profession with a view of being cutthroats, making hordes of money and retiring early to count their plunder. Rather, they do it out of the desire to be around the game and to give back to it as best they can. Same applies to Green Keepers and we learn early on that Richard has held both positions. That and his love of books, and Richard embodies a trifecta of appealing pursuits. As they might say in his home country, he is a good man.


We all have different places that get the ticker going (I am off to Pebble, off to St. Andrews, etc.) but for me, ‘I am headed to London’ holds as much promise for diverse golf as any destination. And with quality people like Richard at the epicenter, I don’t see those sentiments changing anytime soon. Richard’s contact details are included at the bottom of the Feature Interview – please look him up should you be headed that way as you are guaranteed a warm reception at a world class design.

Best,
« Last Edit: July 23, 2019, 06:14:57 AM by Ran Morrissett »

Mark Chaplin

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Re: July Feature Interview with Richard Pennell
« Reply #1 on: July 06, 2019, 03:17:30 PM »
One of my very first “internet” friends was Richard who contacted me through GCA, we had a memorable first meeting and game at Royal Cinque Ports for many reasons and I’m honoured to call him a friend.


Richard was in his very early days at New Zealand when we first met and I’ve ensured subsequent moves have been to suitable clubs!! We’ve enjoyed a trip to the US for his 40th enjoying the delights of Winged Foot and a couple of nights at Pine Valley, he now has one of the best jobs in golf and is highly regarded and respected by his members. It’s great to see a good person do well.
Cave Nil Vino

Thomas Dai

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Re: July Feature Interview with Richard Pennell
« Reply #2 on: July 07, 2019, 01:46:12 PM »
Thank you. One of the best aspects of this website is the insights that are provided by those ‘in the business’.
Atb


Later edit - old now coloured photos added -

« Last Edit: July 12, 2019, 03:50:42 AM by Thomas Dai »

Tony_Muldoon

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Re: July Feature Interview with Richard Pennell
« Reply #3 on: July 07, 2019, 04:20:24 PM »
Richard 2005! I'd forgotten Woking was the first course we played together. I now recall it must have been autumn as I found some Penny Buns and shared them with you.  You survived that and the next year we played the Addington, WHO, Rye and New Zealand. Not a bad list and a new friend all thanks to GCA.




I've told this story to others but can't recall if I've told you. My wife was incredulous that I'd metup with  'some guy' from the internet and even more astounded that you'd taken the mushrooms.  From that day on she has referred to this site as the Axe Murderers Web site.
I did manage to turn this back on her. In her last job someone popular was retiring and they all knew he was a keen golfer. She was given the task of deciding what to do with the sum they'd collected and I suggested that 2 green fees at New Zealand would surprise and delight anyone.  It did indeed and he contacted her to thank her and ask how she'd discovered this magical hidden course which he'd never heard of.  She told him about some website I was always on and promised to pass on details.   So I forwarded her the address to send him, www.axemurderersgc.com  Without paying attention she forwarded it.  He came back saying the link didn't work and she called me to check it. I got her to spell it out twice before she realised.    ;)   I wonder if he lurks or posts on here now?




Hope to see you soon, all the best.




PS Ran another great interview.  Thank you for all the friendships I've developed through the site and I'd love to have seen the Questions you were originally planning to send Richard P!
Let's make GCA grate again!

Mark Pearce

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Re: July Feature Interview with Richard Pennell
« Reply #4 on: July 07, 2019, 05:08:30 PM »
Great to see a feature interview with Richard.  But what's with those pictures of Woking.  The greenest green I have ever seen on this site.  I was there a few weeks ago and I simply don't believe Woking has ever been that shade of green.  We can't whinge about TV and Augusta blah, blah, blah if we're posting colour enhanced pictures of a classic like Woking.
In June I will be riding the first three stages of this year's Tour de France route for charity.  630km (394 miles) in three days, with 7800m (25,600 feet) of climbing for the William Wates Memorial Trust (https://rideleloop.org/the-charity/) which supports underprivileged young people.

Ryan Coles

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Re: July Feature Interview with Richard Pennell
« Reply #5 on: July 07, 2019, 05:22:03 PM »
I know they’ve done some drainage works on their greens, could be they have watered to aid recovery. Could be that south east England experienced months worth of rain in a few days in June followed by recent warm sunshine.


I haven’t seen brown greens anywhere for ages, not even links. Moisture probes seems to lead them to topping up to what they see as optimum and they seem more interested in soil rather than colour of turf. The contrast between brown fairways and green greens in last years drought was quite profound when you look at aerials of most courses.


Richard Pennell

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Re: July Feature Interview with Richard Pennell
« Reply #6 on: July 08, 2019, 07:50:38 AM »
One of my very first “internet” friends was Richard who contacted me through GCA, we had a memorable first meeting and game at Royal Cinque Ports for many reasons and I’m honoured to call him a friend.


Richard was in his very early days at New Zealand when we first met and I’ve ensured subsequent moves have been to suitable clubs!! We’ve enjoyed a trip to the US for his 40th enjoying the delights of Winged Foot and a couple of nights at Pine Valley, he now has one of the best jobs in golf and is highly regarded and respected by his members. It’s great to see a good person do well.


Ever the gentleman, Mark, too polite to publicly shame me for the snap-hook, duff, pull and holed chip that made up my opening par at Deal on our first of many holes together, or for the "forgotten" wallet trick 3 hours later! Thanks for your friendship!
"The rules committee of the Royal and Ancient are yesterday's men, Jeeves. They simply have to face up to the modern world" Bertie Wooster

Richard Pennell

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Re: July Feature Interview with Richard Pennell
« Reply #7 on: July 08, 2019, 07:55:37 AM »
Richard 2005! I'd forgotten Woking was the first course we played together. I now recall it must have been autumn as I found some Penny Buns and shared them with you.  You survived that and the next year we played the Addington, WHO, Rye and New Zealand. Not a bad list and a new friend all thanks to GCA.



It certainly was the first time, and it has been too long since we have played! I will never forget my wife's face as I extracted the sweaty mushrooms from my golf bag..."where did you meet this guy?"


« Last Edit: July 08, 2019, 08:01:04 AM by Richard Pennell »
"The rules committee of the Royal and Ancient are yesterday's men, Jeeves. They simply have to face up to the modern world" Bertie Wooster

Richard Pennell

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Re: July Feature Interview with Richard Pennell
« Reply #8 on: July 08, 2019, 08:05:10 AM »
Great to see a feature interview with Richard.  But what's with those pictures of Woking.  The greenest green I have ever seen on this site.  I was there a few weeks ago and I simply don't believe Woking has ever been that shade of green.  We can't whinge about TV and Augusta blah, blah, blah if we're posting colour enhanced pictures of a classic like Woking.


Mark - the pictures were taken in late May last year, after a pretty wet spring that preceded 58 days without rain...it was certainly not green at the end of that period! The surfaces are getting firmer all the time, and our superb green staff under Andy Ewence's leadership are consistently producing just about the best greens around. Combine that with Woking's great contours and you have something rather wonderful.
"The rules committee of the Royal and Ancient are yesterday's men, Jeeves. They simply have to face up to the modern world" Bertie Wooster

Mark Pearce

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Re: July Feature Interview with Richard Pennell
« Reply #9 on: July 08, 2019, 03:03:30 PM »
Great to see a feature interview with Richard.  But what's with those pictures of Woking.  The greenest green I have ever seen on this site.  I was there a few weeks ago and I simply don't believe Woking has ever been that shade of green.  We can't whinge about TV and Augusta blah, blah, blah if we're posting colour enhanced pictures of a classic like Woking.


Mark - the pictures were taken in late May last year, after a pretty wet spring that preceded 58 days without rain...it was certainly not green at the end of that period! The surfaces are getting firmer all the time, and our superb green staff under Andy Ewence's leadership are consistently producing just about the best greens around. Combine that with Woking's great contours and you have something rather wonderful.
Richard,


I know, as I say, I was there a few weeks ago and it was as fabulous as ever and in tremendous condition (far better than Sunningdale a couple of weeks before).  And it was quite green, having been very wet for a couple of weeks before.  But those photos just don't look a natural green to me.  And however green it was when I was there, it did look natural, as ever.
In June I will be riding the first three stages of this year's Tour de France route for charity.  630km (394 miles) in three days, with 7800m (25,600 feet) of climbing for the William Wates Memorial Trust (https://rideleloop.org/the-charity/) which supports underprivileged young people.

Marty Bonnar

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Re: July Feature Interview with Richard Pennell
« Reply #10 on: July 08, 2019, 05:58:28 PM »
All of seventeen years ago, during our glorious year of the MSc Architecture programme, we were fortunate enough to visit the London heathlands for our Study Tour.
IIRC, we walked Swinley and played The Berkshire, Worplesdon and Woking.
That’s what I call Architectural Education!
Good luck, Richard and may the smiling visages of Low and Paton beam graciously down upon your endeavours from the great Links in the Sky!
Best,
Martin.
The White River runs dark through the heart of the Town,
Washed the people coal-black from the hole in the ground.

Ryan Coles

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Re: July Feature Interview with Richard Pennell
« Reply #11 on: July 09, 2019, 09:22:48 AM »
The article says about each of the three W’s having their own charm and feel.


On one visit to two and a few visits to the other, the distinctions between the 3 are not immediately apparent to me.


What are the notable differences?

Ira Fishman

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Re: July Feature Interview with Richard Pennell
« Reply #12 on: July 10, 2019, 08:58:09 AM »
My wife and I so thoroughly enjoyed our day at Woking last year.  Our only disappointment is that Richard was occupied with a large competition/outing so we were not able to meet him.  The interview is a wonderful way to get to know him virtually.


If Richard checks this thread again, I have to ask what is the most unusual or legendary shot from behind the 14th green?  While we were savoring the day over a post-round drink on the veranda, at least one ball ended up very near there.


Ira

Adam Lawrence

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Re: July Feature Interview with Richard Pennell
« Reply #13 on: July 10, 2019, 10:15:22 AM »
My wife and I so thoroughly enjoyed our day at Woking last year.  Our only disappointment is that Richard was occupied with a large competition/outing so we were not able to meet him.  The interview is a wonderful way to get to know him virtually.


If Richard checks this thread again, I have to ask what is the most unusual or legendary shot from behind the 14th green?  While we were savoring the day over a post-round drink on the veranda, at least one ball ended up very near there.


Ira


The most legendary shot from the Woking clubhouse is definitely that played by Hugh Alison, later Harry Colt's partner, while playing for Oxford in the 1904 University match. He was playing the eighteenth though, not the fourteenth, and put his second shot onto the clubhouse roof. Undaunted, he got a ladder, climbed up onto the roof, chipped down and got a half. Which was quite important as Oxford won the match by a single point!
Adam Lawrence

Editor, Golf Course Architecture
www.golfcoursearchitecture.net

Principal, Oxford Golf Consulting
www.oxfordgolfconsulting.com

Author, 'More Enduring Than Brass: a biography of Harry Colt' (forthcoming).

Short words are best, and the old words, when short, are the best of all.

Paul Jones

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Re: July Feature Interview with Richard Pennell
« Reply #14 on: July 11, 2019, 03:30:26 AM »
It is a small world as I will be visiting Richard tomorrow at Woking... which was recommended to me from others on GCA. I am very excited!!!
Paul Jones
pauljones@live.com

BCrosby

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Re: July Feature Interview with Richard Pennell
« Reply #15 on: July 11, 2019, 07:36:30 AM »
Adam -


Alison's famous roof shot was while playing the 18th?? That is quite the pull/hook. I assume it was his second shot?


Bob




Adam Lawrence

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Re: July Feature Interview with Richard Pennell
« Reply #16 on: July 11, 2019, 08:30:17 AM »
Adam -


Alison's famous roof shot was while playing the 18th?? That is quite the pull/hook. I assume it was his second shot?


Bob


It was. I had the same reaction, but every single source says he was playing the eighteenth.
Adam Lawrence

Editor, Golf Course Architecture
www.golfcoursearchitecture.net

Principal, Oxford Golf Consulting
www.oxfordgolfconsulting.com

Author, 'More Enduring Than Brass: a biography of Harry Colt' (forthcoming).

Short words are best, and the old words, when short, are the best of all.

Adam Lawrence

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Re: July Feature Interview with Richard Pennell
« Reply #17 on: July 11, 2019, 08:35:23 AM »
Here's a picture of Hugh on the roof. If you know Woking well you'll realise he's at the right end of the clubhouse, facing the eighteenth. Basically on top of Richard's office!


Adam Lawrence

Editor, Golf Course Architecture
www.golfcoursearchitecture.net

Principal, Oxford Golf Consulting
www.oxfordgolfconsulting.com

Author, 'More Enduring Than Brass: a biography of Harry Colt' (forthcoming).

Short words are best, and the old words, when short, are the best of all.

James Brown

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Re: July Feature Interview with Richard Pennell
« Reply #18 on: July 11, 2019, 12:45:16 PM »
I had the pleasure last Friday of playing Woking for the first time.  I considered it a nice twist of fate that it was right after the conclusion of the Bernard Darwin Cup matches.  Rarely has a club or a course lived up to its reputation so fully.  I certainly could see myself playing there every day forever. 

Duncan Cheslett

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Re: July Feature Interview with Richard Pennell
« Reply #19 on: July 11, 2019, 03:52:58 PM »
Can i just say that those bunkers at Royal Wimbledon are things of real beauty...


Royal-Wimbledon-7th-9005-DH-5 by duncan cheslett, on Flickr

Richard Pennell

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Re: July Feature Interview with Richard Pennell
« Reply #20 on: July 12, 2019, 09:20:09 AM »
All of seventeen years ago, during our glorious year of the MSc Architecture programme, we were fortunate enough to visit the London heathlands for our Study Tour.
IIRC, we walked Swinley and played The Berkshire, Worplesdon and Woking.
That’s what I call Architectural Education!
Good luck, Richard and may the smiling visages of Low and Paton beam graciously down upon your endeavours from the great Links in the Sky!
Best,
Martin.


Martin - thank you for your kind words. Was that the same MSc course Bryan Barkley was on? Bryan, if you are lurking, get in touch!
"The rules committee of the Royal and Ancient are yesterday's men, Jeeves. They simply have to face up to the modern world" Bertie Wooster

Richard Pennell

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Re: July Feature Interview with Richard Pennell
« Reply #21 on: July 12, 2019, 09:32:41 AM »
My wife and I so thoroughly enjoyed our day at Woking last year.  Our only disappointment is that Richard was occupied with a large competition/outing so we were not able to meet him.  The interview is a wonderful way to get to know him virtually.


If Richard checks this thread again, I have to ask what is the most unusual or legendary shot from behind the 14th green?  While we were savoring the day over a post-round drink on the veranda, at least one ball ended up very near there.


Ira


Dear Ira


So sorry I missed you when you were here...please come again so I can rectify that! That shot of Alison is perhaps the most famous, but in fairness to him, I should point out that the match was foursomes, and it was therefore his partner who put him up there. "Never apologise" is the rule in foursomes but that must have been a test of that convention...


Another nice story is that someone's Pinnacle came clattering in the doors that open into the corridor, took a deflection off the skirting board and a right towards the Secretary's office. A large crowd gathered to watch the poor individual putt back down the corridor in order to get a line back through the doors! The Clubhouse (excepting (Alison's) roof) remains an integral part of the course, and the justification most often given for this is that it means one can approach the bar hatch without leaving the course whilst playing the 14th!


The proximity of what is often called "The Pavilion" to the 14th green is one of the finest elements of Woking. Face a slick 3 footer down the hill at 14, and you can feel the eyes on you. Normal Woking etiquette is to carry on talking, which makes it even worse when it does go quiet - you KNOW they're watching then!
"The rules committee of the Royal and Ancient are yesterday's men, Jeeves. They simply have to face up to the modern world" Bertie Wooster

Richard Pennell

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Re: July Feature Interview with Richard Pennell
« Reply #22 on: July 12, 2019, 09:34:05 AM »
I had the pleasure last Friday of playing Woking for the first time.  I considered it a nice twist of fate that it was right after the conclusion of the Bernard Darwin Cup matches.  Rarely has a club or a course lived up to its reputation so fully.  I certainly could see myself playing there every day forever.


James - thank you. What a wonderful couple of sentences! It is a special place to be...
"The rules committee of the Royal and Ancient are yesterday's men, Jeeves. They simply have to face up to the modern world" Bertie Wooster

Adam Lawrence

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Re: July Feature Interview with Richard Pennell
« Reply #23 on: July 12, 2019, 10:16:34 AM »
My wife and I so thoroughly enjoyed our day at Woking last year.  Our only disappointment is that Richard was occupied with a large competition/outing so we were not able to meet him.  The interview is a wonderful way to get to know him virtually.


If Richard checks this thread again, I have to ask what is the most unusual or legendary shot from behind the 14th green?  While we were savoring the day over a post-round drink on the veranda, at least one ball ended up very near there.


Ira


Dear Ira


So sorry I missed you when you were here...please come again so I can rectify that! That shot of Alison is perhaps the most famous, but in fairness to him, I should point out that the match was foursomes, and it was therefore his partner who put him up there. "Never apologise" is the rule in foursomes but that must have been a test of that convention..



I don't think that's correct Richard. I'm pretty certain it was a single. I will post a newspaper clipping when I get chance.
Adam Lawrence

Editor, Golf Course Architecture
www.golfcoursearchitecture.net

Principal, Oxford Golf Consulting
www.oxfordgolfconsulting.com

Author, 'More Enduring Than Brass: a biography of Harry Colt' (forthcoming).

Short words are best, and the old words, when short, are the best of all.

Richard Pennell

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Re: July Feature Interview with Richard Pennell
« Reply #24 on: July 12, 2019, 11:31:42 AM »
My wife and I so thoroughly enjoyed our day at Woking last year.  Our only disappointment is that Richard was occupied with a large competition/outing so we were not able to meet him.  The interview is a wonderful way to get to know him virtually.


If Richard checks this thread again, I have to ask what is the most unusual or legendary shot from behind the 14th green?  While we were savoring the day over a post-round drink on the veranda, at least one ball ended up very near there.


Ira


Dear Ira


So sorry I missed you when you were here...please come again so I can rectify that! That shot of Alison is perhaps the most famous, but in fairness to him, I should point out that the match was foursomes, and it was therefore his partner who put him up there. "Never apologise" is the rule in foursomes but that must have been a test of that convention..



I don't think that's correct Richard. I'm pretty certain it was a single. I will post a newspaper clipping when I get chance.


Ah, you're right! Apologies, I just checked the history book...
"The rules committee of the Royal and Ancient are yesterday's men, Jeeves. They simply have to face up to the modern world" Bertie Wooster

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