Course status: Saturday - course OPEN 18 holes, No buggies very wet!
12°C

Heritage

In 1989, the Bathew family decided that they'd had enough of farming and in order to still get some use out of the land, they were going to build a golf course.

In 1991 the club was established as a business venture and the family approached Mr Ted Anderson, a local architect and family friend, and asked if he would design the layout of a 9 hole course on the 70 acres of land. This, along with the building of the clubhouse that would eventually overlook the whole course, was the best start the Manor could have gotten. The 9 hole course proved to be great fun to play and as Ted's first attempt at course design, a great base from which to expand to 18. The only regret now is that more photographs weren't taken. (always the case I guess)
After 4 years some neighbouring land became available and it was decided that as membership was improving, then maybe a course extension was warranted.

In 1994 the club purchased another 33 acres of land and duly brought in a golf course constructor to change the existing 9 holes into an 18 hole golf course. This would involve a complete reshaping of the 9 hole layout, indeed, only the first and second remain from the original Ted Anderson design.

In 1996 the club held its first full 18 hole competition. It really was a memorable day, enjoyed by all. Shortly after this all the newly constructed greens developed 'take-all' disease which decimated the playing surface. It would be 2 years before the greens and course as a whole, would recover.

In 1999 the club acquired another 16 acres of adjacent land and built 3 brand new holes - par 3,4 and 5 - and got rid of 3 par 3's. This took the par of the course up to a more respectable 71. This also brought in the new regime of USGA greens, built by the greenstaff 'in house', and got rid of 3 poorly constructed ones.

In 2003, another USGA green was constructed on top of what was by far the most unfair green on the course - the infamous 3rd. A wickedly sloping green that was hard to keep the ball on.

In 2008, another 3 USGA greens were constructed to replace the 1st, 7th and 9th. The original greens were all poorly constructed using materials from the ponds that were dug out. New, larger tees are constantly being constructed in order to keep up with the popularity of the course.

I have played here over 20 times and it is one of my favourite courses to visit. Not just for the course but for the friendly staff, quiet setting and beautiful views of the countryside - pure escapism! Take my word for it, if you are looking for a reasonably priced day out then look no further!

— Al Phillips