Brancepeth Castle Golf Club
Designed by the world famous architect Harry Colt in 1924 and laid out on what was Brancepeth Castle Deer Park, the stables and coach house being converted into the clubhouse. Harry Colt was involved in designing or redesigning over 300 courses around the world, including Moor Park, Royal Lytham & St. Annes and Wentworth.
Brancepeth is a beautiful parkland course of 6400 yards, SSS 71, offering a great variation of holes. The deep ravine cutting through the course, provides some challenging tee shots.
Leaving the Club House and walking down the path towards the first tee provides a first glimpse of the Castle and St. Brandon’s Church. Going through the gate and on to the first tee gives an immediate impression of the character of the course and its magnificent deciduous trees. The silver birch trees (Betula Jacquamonti) on the right between the 1st fairway and 18th green were planted to mark the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. Originally there were 25 trees, one for each year of her reign and they were planted by members of the Club who had been members for over 25 years.
The signature hole at Brancepeth Castle, the 9th is laid out in what was the formal garden for the castle. At 200 yards and played across the ravine to a narrow, angled green which was dug out of the bankside by hand this hole is a real test. Once described as the hardest 9th hole in the world, its difficulty speaks for itself.
The 10th hole is another fantastic par 3. It is slightly shorter than the 9th hole but certainly not easy. To find the green, the tee shot needs to carry all the way as anything short will not run up. The bunker to the left of the green is large and deep and always leaves a tricky shot to save par.
There is a silver wheelbarrow trophy at Brancepeth Castle that was donated to commemorate the brave history of club member Second Lieutenant Richard Annand in May of 1940. He was awarded the first Victoria Cross of World War Two for his efforts in recovering wounded soldiers from no man’s land, despite being gravely wounded himself. He made repeated visits under continual fire and eventually brought back his wounded batman using a wheelbarrow he had commandeered for the purpose. The story of his exploits gained the headlines of ‘Wheelbarrow VC’, hence the silver wheelbarrow trophy commissioned to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the club.
This golf course belongs on every golfer’s radar. Boasting an unsurpassed history and thrilling, rewarding challenges, it delivers an exceptional experience for every visitor.
The Club House, The Village, Brancepeth, Durham, DH7 8EA
0191 378 0075 | enquiries@brancepeth-castle-golf.co.uk | www.brancepeth-castle-golf.co.uk