An unusual village, Thorpeness was a small fishing hamlet whose entire area and surrounds for many miles was bought by wealthy railroad magnate, GS Ogilvie. Oglivie developed some of his large holdings as a holiday village complete with several holiday homes for guests and a country club which included a course, pool, tennis courts etc. Most of the buildings are made to look old, but upon scrutiny the clever use of concrete dispels the illusion. The village is seaside, but it faces inland around the weir come man-made lake. Perhaps the most famous building of this stage set community is the House in the Clouds (represented in the club logo). This was a water tank disguised as house with the recently restored mill adjacent. It too is not what it seems…the guts of the building is made of steel. When water mains were installed in the village the water tank was converted into a games room and eventually into house.
Essentially treated as a frontline during WWII, the beach was heavily fortified. The village remained in the Ogilvie family until 1972 when GS’s grandson died. To pay for the death duties the immense land holding was broken up and sold; this included the golf course.
Nine holes were built in 1922 by James Braid and increased to 18 holes the following year. Less than a mile from the beach, Thorpeness is a mix of gorse, heath pine and silver birch trees. With a hotel on site, Thorpeness is a popular destination and exudes an interesting mix of private club ambience and the squawks of society golf.
The opening hole offers an accurate picture of what to expect, a good course which isn't quite wide enough to accomodate the firm conditions.
A longish par three, the 2nd takes us back toward the house/hotel.
The opening two holes do feel a bit odd when we see the 3rd tee next to the house/hotel. Regardless, this is an exceptional hole which needs width to shine its corners.
A longish downhill second to a severe green with virtually no bail-out room is asking quite a bit of holiday makers. That is our man Spangles trying his luck.
The green agrees with the terrain and falls heavily toward the back left.
#4.
The pop up frog eye and slit style bunkers are very common sights at Thorpeness. Not necessarily attractive, but they do earn one's respect.
More to follow.
Ciao