Brancepeth Castle Golf Club

Golf Course Review

Laid out by Harry Colt in 1924, Brancepeth Castle Golf Club is perhaps the most original Harry Colt design in Britain. Some believe Aliser MacKenzie collaborated on the design but no definitive evidence exists.

Brancepeth Castle Golf Club & Harry Colt

It was reported that great improvements had been made to the course in the Sunderland Daily Echo in January of 1926. The initial credit was given to the Executive of the Brancepeth Castle Golf Club for the improvements made in the autumn and winter of 1925/ 26. At the time they also enlarged the 1st tee and added a bridge on the 9th. This appears to 'ease the traversing of the course' which was arduous to many.

Harry Colt Bunkering

It was conceded in the report that the improvements were a follow-on from the bunkering scheme provided by Harry Colt. The bunkers added consisted of the following:

• Bunkers on the right of the 4th hole to trap a sliced drive.
• A nest of bunkers on the 5th hole.
• Right and left fairway bunkers on the 6th.
• A right-side bunker on 12 with a leveled area to the left
• Echelon bunkers were added in front of the green on the 14th demanding a 'well-pitched second shot.'
• Two 'reverse bunkers' were added on the 15th 'to allow players to see the green in certain lights.'

Brancepeth Castle GC Summary

Like most Harry Colt golf courses, the bones are great and routing superb.