Stoke Park changes earn praise

Historic Stoke Park is reaping the rewards of a winter bunker renovation programme of the first nine holes of its famous Colt Course.

Members and visitors alike have widely praised the changes at the Buckinghamshire resort which were supervised by director of golf Stuart Collier and estate director Alex Millar.

Club captain John Sweeney said: “I think the changes on the course are magnificent.

“The bunkers will play a lot harder, but when the work on 10 to 18 is carried out next winter it will take the whole course to a new level.

“It’s not just an aesthetic thing; that’s good, but it’s the quality – and depth – of the bunkering that makes the real difference. These are a different class – if you’re in a bunker now, you’re penalised; and that’s the way golf should be played.

“It’s made a massive difference to the sixth and eighth holes. Visually, the sixth is brilliant and on eight, it’s changed the hole completely. It’s a more strategic course now. You have to really think about how you’re going to play each hole and each shot.”

The work on the opening nine Colt holes was part of a seven-figure facelift of Stoke Park’s 27 holes, which were created by the legendary – and eponymous – designer Harry Colt in 1908.

The first loop includes the seventh hole which was the inspiration for the original 16th at Augusta National, home of the US Masters, before the latter was amended in the 1940s.

Augusta designer Alister MacKenzie (1870-1934) was part of Colt’s original Stoke Park design team and a partner in the short-lived practice of Colt, MacKenzie & Alison.

Stoke Park Country Club, Spa & Hotel is one of just two five-AA Red Star golf clubs in England and the historic land on which it stands is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.

It was awarded the accolade of ‘Ultimate Members Club’ at the annual 59club Service Excellence Awards last year.

The historic course played host to the PGA Matchplay in 1910 and, even more famously, the golf match between Sean Connery’s James Bond and Auric Goldfinger, in the 1964 film, Goldfinger. It also has a thriving golf club with around 800 active members.

** Stoke Park hosts the JDRF Stoke Park Pro-Am on June 29. Details here.