Royal Porthcawl Golf Club
Overview
Royal Porthcawl Golf Club's addition of 9 holes in 1895 gave Wales its first 18 hole course.
The R&A had aspirations to add Royal Porthcawl Golf Club to the Open Rota. In preparation, Tom Simpson made changes but sadly, it was all for naught.
Royal Porthcawl Golf Club is characterised by variety. The routing changes direction frequently, the elevation follows suit. There are both links holes and moorland holes.
Golf Course Review
Royal Porthcawl Golf Club is a stunning links counted amongst the best courses in the world. Just down the road from Pyle & Kenfig GC (P&K) but to the north of the town of Porthcawl, halfway between Swansea and Cardiff. On the Bristol Channel lies a course with true ocean views from every hole and where the beach is in play.
Royal Porthcawl Golf Club History
The club was founded on November 13, 1891. Soon work was underway to establish the links. Charles Gibson, the professional at Westward Ho!, laid out the first 9 hole course. Another 9 holes were laid out in 1895. The 10th Tee was 300 yards from the 9th green through the grounds of a private residence. The new nine was extended to 18 by Ramsay Hunter in 1897 and the original 9 became the ladies’ course. It remained in play until WW1.
Architectural Provenance at Royal Porthcawl
Dating from 1913, Harry Colt is credited with holes 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 14, 15 & 18.
In 1925, JH Taylor and FW Hawtree altered the 11th, 12th, 15th, 17th, and 18th greens. New tees appeared on the 11th. Bunkers were also added greenside on the 13th and 17th. (Western Mail 17 March 1925)
In 1933, Tom Simpson made new tees for 1, 2, 3 & 9. His greens remain intact on 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 13, 16 & 17. Hole 7 can be attributed to him.
C.K. Cotton alterations at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club from 1950 are found on holes 8 and 12.
More recently, Martin Ebert’s toned-down Harry Colt’s greens on holes 4, 5, and 9. He also reworked the green surrounds on Tom Simpson’s 10th and Hawtree & Taylor’s 12th.
Royal Porthcawl Golf Club’s Royal Heritage
Further information about Royal Porthcawl Golf Club and its history can be found in Scott Macpherson‘s book, Golf’s Royal Clubs.
Royal Porthcawl Golf Club Photography
Royal Porthcawl Golf Club - Videos
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Featured Architect: MacKenzie, Alister
As taken from his book, Golf Architecture, Alister MacKenzie felt the following were essential: The course, where possible, should be arranged in two loops of nine holes. There should be a large proportion of good two-shot holes and at least four one-shot holes. There should be little walking between...
