West Sussex

The Weald of Sussex is beautiful with many magnificent oaks and under foot it is clay, good for roses but not for fine grasses and fine golf.  Nevertheless, like Woodhall Spa or Northamptonshire County, there is an oasis of sandy, draining soil near Pulborough and we must be all thankful to George Hillyard and my godmother’s parents, the Ravenscrofts, in acquiring the land and founding what has become one of the very finest inland courses - as Henry Longhurst has said - “designed unmistakably by providence for a golf course and man for once has done the right thing”.

Guy Campbell, Cecil Hutchinson and Stafford Hotchkin, famous for designing Prince’s, Gleneagles and the original Turnberry Ailsa, created a heathland paradise with tough heather, natural, superbly-positioned bunkering of soft white sand, with great use of undulations in the land and a high “joy to be alive” factor.

Officially opened by Joyce Wethered in 1931, of whom Henry Cotton (a three times winner of The Open) said “I have never played golf with anyone, man or woman, amateur or professional, who made me feel so utterly outclassed”.  To this day, ladies play an important part in the life of this club.

West Sussex has attracted Royalty, famous personalities from the cricket world, the stage and international golfers not because it is a venue for major men’s tournaments (it is  relatively short in length at 6264 yards) but because of the quality of its turf, design and beauty. The highest point of the South Downs - Chanctonbury Ring - is nearby, adding to the views and giving its name to the open meeting held each April.

As with so many fine courses, thanks to the dedicated long service of the Professional, Greenkeeper and Steward, and its sensitive, clear thinking Secretaries, West Sussex has been well served, with Gordon Streeter, the Head Greenkeeper of 50 years, of especial importance.  His son, Ian, took over in the 1980s and it is hoped he will equal the phenomenal achievement of my ancestors, the Reverend Palmers, father and son, who were rectors at the nearby Sullington Parish for 50 years each!

The modern fashion for very fast greens is not the holy grail here though they remain consistent and fair.  Nevertheless, the putt from the back of the famous long iron 6^th will gather pace alarmingly.

There is only one par five and five par threes within this par 68, SSS70 track and perhaps only at the 9^th is there a weakish hole.

It is worth mentioning in comparison with so many of the ugly, bulldozered lakes featured on modern target courses, the beauty of the natural pond in front of the short 15^th set in an idyllic, peaceful dell.

The Club is lucky to have Donald Steel as a member and he has tightened up the drive at the 3^rd with some new bunkering but resisted changing the approach to the green.

Be warned, this is predominantly a two-ball club with quick play encouraged and plenty of foursomes played, giving time for what Frank Pennink called “one of the best, self-service luncheons, within my ken at any rate, should make up for any number of visits to those silver-sanded traps, which are another feature of this attractive and challenging course”.

This is a members’ club with no wish to hog the limelight of televised golf and well worth a long drive for a visit where you will remember every hole for some time.

Reviewed by Lorne Smith,  2008.   Leave us a comment below

On May 20th, 2009 robin brown Said:

Have played West Sussex in the past.Reminiscent of Sunningdale and a great example of a course not requiring length to be enjoyable.Magnificent short holes.

On August 20th, 2009 software developers Said:

Hey, that was interesting.

The nature is so beautiful in sussex and this is why I enjoy visiting there so much.

Thanks for bringing this up.

On May 24th, 2010 robin brown Said:

Played West Sussex today in balmy conditions.A great experience, short course but very challenging and requires lots of different shots.Plays like a links course with fast running fairways but greens a little slow.
Par 3’s all memorable but 16th certainly toughest hole with heather everywhere.
Good welcome from members and fine catering.

Up there with the three W’s in Surrey and Sunningdale.

Details

1. Your Name(required)
2. Your Email(valid email required)
3. Your Website
4. Your Comment(required)
5. Send as
6. regular comment email to post author
7. Enter characters opposite

Optional Information

1. Address
2. Golf Club Membership
3. Golf Handicap
4. Age 0-20 21-40 41-60 61+

 

cforms contact form by delicious:days