A lot of North East courses were laid out or reshaped by some of the biggest names in golf course design. These are the architects behind the courses I’ve reviewed, with a bit about each and what they did here.
The page fills up as more reviews go up.
Harry Colt 1869 to 1951
A solicitor by training, Colt was the first secretary at Sunningdale and became one of the most influential course architects of the 20th century. His courses include Swinley Forest (1909), St George’s Hill (1912), the East and West courses at Wentworth and the Dunluce course at Royal Portrush (1929). He worked in partnership with Charles Alison and, for a few years, Alister MacKenzie.
On Fairways North
- Brancepeth CastleLaid out the course in the castle’s deer park in 19248.6
Alister MacKenzie 1870 to 1934
Born in Normanton in Yorkshire, MacKenzie trained as a doctor before turning to golf course design. His first course was Alwoodley in Leeds (1907), and he went on to design the West Course at Royal Melbourne (1926), Cypress Point (1928) and Augusta National (1933, with Bobby Jones).
On Fairways North
- Seaton Carew, MicklemRedesigned the course in 1925. His layout is the basis of the Old Course today9.0
Frank Pennink 1913 to 1983
Born in Delft in the Netherlands, Pennink won the English Amateur in 1937 and 1938 and played in the 1938 Walker Cup. In 1954 he formed Cotton, Pennink and Partners with C.K. Cotton and Charles Lawrie, and designed courses across Europe, including the Old Course at Vilamoura in the Algarve (1969).
On Fairways North
- BillinghamDesigned the course, which opened in 19697.8
- Seaton Carew, MicklemAdded four new holes in the 1970s, which make up the Brabazon loop9.0
Dave Thomas 1934 to 2013
Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, Thomas was twice runner-up in the Open, in 1958 and 1966, and played in four Ryder Cups. As a designer he built more than 100 courses, including the Brabazon at The Belfry with Peter Alliss (1977), which went on to host four Ryder Cups.
On Fairways North
- Slaley Hall, HuntingDesigned the Hunting course, which opened in stages from 19898.0
Neil Coles born 1934
Born in London, Coles won seven European Tour events, played in eight Ryder Cups and won the first Senior British Open in 1987. He chaired the European Tour’s board for many years and is in the World Golf Hall of Fame. His designs include the Stadium course at PGA Catalunya, with Angel Gallardo.
On Fairways North
- Slaley Hall, PriestmanDesigned the Priestman course, which opened in 19997.3
Martin Hawtree born 1947
Hawtree took over the practice his grandfather founded in 1912, which top100golfcourses.com calls the longest continuous practice of golf course architecture on record. Three generations of Hawtrees have worked on Royal Birkdale, where Martin rebuilt all 18 greens in 1993, and he designed Trump International in Aberdeenshire, which opened in 2012.
On Fairways North
- Wynyard, Wellington CourseDesigned the Wellington Course, which opened in 19967.9
Biographies from Wikipedia, top100golfcourses.com, the World Golf Hall of Fame and the clubs’ own histories. Courses without a named architect, like Crook, Durham City, Roseberry Grange and Bellingham, aren’t listed here.
