TOP 100

92 Berkhamsted ( )
Berkhamsted, Herts. Par 71, 6,605 yards.
Designers: Harry Colt/James Braid.
IJ: a superb heathland/woodland with a series
of solid holes, where there are no bunkers to
interfere with your score.
IM: If it is possible to find a hidden gem in
suburban Hertfordshire, this is it.
GW VERDICT: a good test but playable for all
skill levels, it relies on ridged gulleys and clever
contouring to protect the greens. Fine par 3s.
EXCLUSIVE
My Camberley plan
By leading architect Frank pont.
I initially got involved with
Camberley Heath after their
Centenary captain really liked
my work at Broadstone, another
heathland Colt course. The club
had the strong desire to develop
a long-term plan to bring back,
restore and safeguard critical
elements of their Colt course.
I was chosen from a shortlist and
started working on a long-term
plan. phase I entailed restoring
the four par 3s – the 2nd, 8th,
11th and 14th – by restoring their
Colt bunkers, expanding the
greens to their original sizes and
cutting the trees which had
started blocking the views on
the greens from the tees and
were too close to the greens.
Work started last autumn, with
shaping done by george Waters,
one of the best guys in the
industry (pinehurst 2,
Renaissance Club, Cal Club),
assisted by the greenkeepers of
the club led by nick paris, who
totally ‘gets’ the things we need
to do to bring back Colt. The
bunkers were finished with
chunks of heather being
transplanted into their edges to
give them the instant classic
look of neighbours such as
Swinley and new Zealand.
• Frank Pont is one of the world’s
leading architects and renowned
for restoring Harry Colt courses.
91 Stoke Park (▼ 4)
Stoke Poges, Bucks. Par 71, 6,751 yards.
Designer: Harry Colt.
SV: a handful of fantastic holes – with the two
par 3s, especially the 7th, springing to mind.
VH: a very historic parkland of high quality
with a magnificent clubhouse and hotel.
GW VERDICT: There are not many courses like
this in england; a lush parkland but which is
not dominated by trees. It is in terrific nick and
a wonderful all-round experience.
90 Saunton (West) (▼ 4)
Braunton, Devon. Par 71, 6,403 yards.
Designers: Herbert Fowler/Frank Pennink.
SV: a nice contrast to the even tougher east
course, with some stunning holes.
BS: despite being the ‘weaker’ of the two at
Saunton, still one of the best links in england.
SE: lovely, just don’t expect beach views.
GW VERDICT: Winds through large dunes at
times but despite largely sitting on flatter ground,
there is still much to enjoy on the springy turf.
Top 100 england 2015 Golf World 7