A beautiful Georgian Manor house situated on a very private estate, full of history too. Only 2 miles from the sea, drainage (creation of a canal and a harbour) in the early 19th century made it possible to create this golf course on the Ham Manor estate in 1936. It was the home of the Gratwicke family well known in the horseracing world, near the 18th green is a headstone marking the final rest place of "Frederick", the owner's favourite horse.
Large separate Proshop, well stocked, lots of Ladies clothing for a change. a friendly reception too.
The Clubhouse is spectacular, very grand, I even strolled up the large staircase to admire the architecture. There are cards room, 3 large snooker tables, a table tennis room and also and indoor bowls.
Now to the golf course: it is surrounded by beautiful, large houses, some with thatched roofs, some with follies with lead roofs, very peaceful and private all around with security barriers to get in get out.
Holes seem very open even with the surrounding trees lining the fairways, sometimes sloping, some blind holes too, 4 or 5 ditches comes into play .
The 10th is a favourite: a fairly short Par 4, raised tee over a ditch with a pond on the left and a second ditch before the raised green. Good strategy is need here. There is charming 1/2 way hut there too, worth stopping, loo stop too.
Must mention the 3rd, again a short Par 4, downhill with a ditch before negotiating the slightly raised green. A beautiful large bell needs to be struck when hole has been played, as blind shot from the Tee.
I played there with Roger A.'s Pine Tree Society in April of this year and it is a truly wonderful place to play golf, a great course,a great clubhouse, all impeccably maintained from Tee boxes to fairways, to greens, to paths etc.... Well worth the green fee.
Will return next year with the Society as this course is one of Top 10 we want to play again. Great choice.
THE END.....
Date Monday, 29, September 2014
