Wentworth Club- East Course, hole 11
History
The Wentworth Club is a private golf and country club located in Virginia Water, Surrey, England.
It was founded in 1922 by a group of businessmen and golf enthusiasts, including the great Harry Colt.
There are two courses at Wentworth, both designed by Mr Colt.
The East Course dates from 1924 while the West Course opened a couple of years later.
While the East course has hosted the Curtis Cup and other events, it is the West Course that has taken the mantle as 'the tournament course' at Wentworth.
It is particularly well known for hosting the BMW PGA championship and World matchplay for many years.
The East Course at Wentworth Club has undergone several renovations over the years, including a redesign by Ernie Els in 2010.
Els' brief was to improve the course's playability and bring it up to modern tournament standards.
The redesign was well received..
Wentworth Club- East Course, hole 2 approach
Course
The East course has a classic layout, featuring tree-lined fairways, well-bunkered greens and generally undulating terrain.
It is not a long course at 6200 yards off the back tee, but the par is only 68.
Importantly it is a nice course to walk.
I was aware that the East course is considered one of Colt's finest designs, but in recent years the course has stayed under the radar a little compared to it's younger sibling, and my expectations were modest.
But I was very pleasantly surprised.
My first impressions were of a particularly attractive woodland site, with a nice course that sat 'hand in glove' into it's setting.
For me the five par 3 holes stood out, but there are no weak holes.
The East course rarely overpowers you.
It's a course where you need to think your way around, and keep your ball in play..
Notable holes include:
- hole 3, a short par 4 where the tight drive out of a chute in the trees is also challenged by cross bunkering.
Wentworth Club- East Course, hole 3
- hole 7, the first of a number of longer par 3's where the main feature is a diagonal heather covered ridge
Wentworth Club- East Course, hole 7
Wentworth Club- East Course, hole 7 back
- hole 10, a longer par 3 to an attractive green complex where bunkers and green look like they belong in the garden like setting
Wentworth Club- East Course, hole 10
- hole 11, a long, strong par 4 where both length and accuracy are needed..(see pic top of page)
- hole 12, a midlength par 3 to a nicely bunkered green surrounded by trees
Wentworth Club- East Course, hole 12
- hole 17, a long par 3 in a glorious forest setting
Wentworth Club- East Course, hole 17
The Wentworth Club is an exclusive members club and not generally available to visitors, unless with a member.
I would think that the members would be pretty happy with their lot!
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