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Sunningdale Old Course
Year Established
1901
Designed by
William Park Jr
Location
Greater London
Address
Ridgemount Road, Sunningdale, Berkshire, SL5 9RR
About Sunningdale Old Course
There is probably nowhere else in the world where you will have a better 36-hole experience than at Sunningdale. The Old and the New courses sit side-by-side and make up an elegant duo. With two truly majestic golf courses and a rich tradition, Sunningdale is undoubtedly one of England's most prestigious and highly-regarded inland golfing venues. Situated in the beautiful county of Berkshire, a handy 25 miles from central London, it rubs shoulders with the most elegant of neighbours - Ascot Racecourse. With a rich tournament history, a visit to this venue is one all golf aficionados worldwide should experience.
A Brief History
Sunningdale Golf Club was founded in 1900 on Chobham Common, on land owned by St. John's College, Cambridge. Its first Secretary was the above-mentioned Harry Colt. The original 18-hole course, set in heathland with sandy subsoil and mixed treed foliage was among the first successful courses located away from the seaside, as many people had thought at the time that turf would not grow well in such regions. The Open Championship International Final Qualifying has been held over the Old and New Courses every year since 2004. It was also the venue for the 2009 and 2015 Senior British Open Championship.
Highlights
The tenth tee gives you one of the most attractive views on the course. Standing on the tee at the top of the hill, the fairway Is laid out before you in all its glory, with the Halfway House and its friendly reception - make sure to stop and have one of their sausage sandwiches because they are famed for their quality!
The par-4 eleventh hole is widely seen as one of the all-time classic short par 4s. You tee off over a large bunker, with several others to the right. With plenty of thick heather off the fringes of the fairway, you need an accurate drive to give yourself the chance of a birdie.
The legendary Bobby Jones was extremely fond of Sunningdale. He scored 66-68 over it during qualifying for the 1926 British Open, which has been widely described as the perfect round of golf. Jones was said to have remarked afterwards, “I wish I could take this course home with me!" - so you know who you can try to emulate!
