Harpenden Common Golf Club

Harpenden Common Golf Club[1] is a private members' golf club in Harpenden, Hertfordshire.

Harpenden Common Golf Club
The 18th hole at Harpenden Common Golf Club taken from the first floor balcony of the clubhouse.
Club information
Harpenden Common Golf Club is located in Hertfordshire
Harpenden Common Golf Club
Harpenden Common Golf Club in Hertfordshire
Harpenden Common Golf Club is located in England
Harpenden Common Golf Club
Location in England
Coordinates51°48′07″N 0°20′56″W / 51.802°N 0.349°W / 51.802; -0.349
LocationHarpenden, Hertfordshire, England
Established1931 (Course: 1895)
TypePrivate
Total holes18
Websiteharpendencommongolfclub.co.uk
Designed byUnknown / Ken Brown
Par70
Length6,214 yards (5,682 m)

Although golf has been played on Harpenden Common since 1895, Harpenden Common Golf Club itself was founded in 1931 when Harpenden Golf Club moved to a new course at Hammonds End. The similarities between the two clubs' names has been known to create confusion for visiting golfers but once visitors are redirected to the club on Cravells Road they can expect a warm welcome.[2] After a major revision to the course in 1996, the golf course consists of eleven holes on the original common and seven new holes on private land in an area known as the Jockey Field.

Notable Members

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The club's most famous member is Ken Brown who joined as a junior member in 1969 and also worked as a green keeper[3] at the club. Ken acknowledged his attachment[4] to the club during his professional playing career. Ken frequently discusses goings on at '"the Common"' during his BBC commentary at major golf tournaments. Ken was recently joined by the mayors of Harpenden and St Albans in May 2013 when he officially opened the newly developed clubhouse.[5]

The Golf Course

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The golf course is partly based on Harpenden Common and partly on private land owned by the Club (known as the Jockey Field. The holes in the Jockey Field were added in 1996 and were designed by club member and Ryder Cup player Ken Brown.[3] At the same time some of the holes on the Common were amended and lengthened. Some of the original holes on the Common which are no longer used as part of the course now provide excellent practice facilities for the members of the club and visitors.

The golf course at Harpenden Common Golf Club has a number of interesting or unusual features:

  • Holes 1 to 5, 8 to 11, and 17 to 18 are played on Harpenden Common which is public common land.
  • The approach shot to the 2nd green is played over a public road called Cross Lane;
  • The 3rd fairway includes the cricket square and pitch on which Bamville Cricket Club[6] play cricket on Sunday afternoons between May and September each year. At times when cricket is being played, the 3rd hole is played as a par three hole from past the cricket pitch.
  • The 4th and 5th holes are consecutive par threes, a rare occurrence on British golf courses;
  • Tee shots on the 8th and 9th holes are played over public roads Cross Lane and Limbrick Road respectively.
  • The copse of trees between the 8th green and 9th tee mark the site of the "paddock" which is all that remains of the historical horse races that were held on the Common between the 1830s and 1914.[7]
  • The course ends with a par three. This is relatively unusual on golf courses but does enable members on the terraces and balconies of the clubhouse to watch the entire final hole of important matches from their seats.

The Club is private though guests are allowed at most times, subject to course availability; a handicap certificate may be requested in order to establish proficiency.

The golf course has three tees – "Ladies" (red tees), "Visitors" (yellow tees) and "Medal" (white tees).

Current Layout

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Men's card (since 1996)

Hole Yards - White Tees Yards - Yellow Tees Par Hole Yards - White Tees Yards - Yellow Tees Par
1 330 324 4 10 311 307 4
2 384 376 4 11 379 374 4
3 540 530 5 12 486 464 5
4 198 195 3 13 365 358 4
5 152 142 3 14 376 367 4
6 401 392 4 15 410 383 4
7 297 272 4 16 182 155 3
8 464 407 4 17 377 373 4
9 405 399 4 18 157 152 3
Out 3,171 3,037 35 In 3,043 2,933 35
Total 6,214 5,970 70

The course record for the current golf course layout is 63[8] and is held by Sam Claridge.

Ladies' card (since 1996)

Hole Yards - Red Tees Par Hole Yards - Red Tees Par
1 313 4 10 297 4
2 360 4 11 363 4
3 495 5 12 412 5
4 171 3 13 296 4
5 130 3 14 336 4
6 342 4 15 340 4
7 234 4 16 129 3
8 403 5 17 362 4
9 386 4 18 141 3
Out 2,834 36 In 2,676 35
Total 5,510 71

Hertfordshire County Honours

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Harpenden Common Golf Club has frequently produced good amateur players who have performed well at the County level.

Year Competition Member
2013 Herts Champion Club - Winner S Claridge, P Wilkins, T Wilkins
2012 Herts Open Championship - Winner Lewis Watcham
2012 Herts Scratch League Division 1 - Winner Scratch Team
2011 Herts Inter Club Foursome Championship - Winner Paul Wilkins, Lewis Watcham
2008 Herts Men's Order of Merit - Winner Sam Claridge
2008 Herts Boys Team Championship - Winner S Claridge, T Brown, M Fox
2008 Herts Inter Club Foursome Championship - Winner Sam Claridge, Tom Brown
2004 Herts County Championship - Winner Rob Leonard
2004 Herts Colts Championship - Winner Rob Leonard
2004 Herts Champion Club - Winner R Leonard, S Mulkerrin, T Wilkins
2003 Herts Scratch League Division 1 - Winner Scratch Team
2002 Herts Colts Championship - Winner Rob Leonard
2000 Herts County Championship - Winner Ian Farrant
2000 Herts Scratch League Division 1 - Winner Scratch Team
2008 Herts Inter Club Foursome Championship - Winner Ian Farrant, Ben Connelly
2006 Herts Seniors Championship - Winner Roger Dew
1996 Herts Boys Championship - Winner Craig Arnott
1996 Herts Boys Team Championship - Winner B Armstrong, T Turner, A Turner
1996 Malcolm Reid Trophies - Winner Craig Arnott
1995 Herts Colts Championship - Winner Michael Mulkerrin
1994 Herts Salver - Winner Ian Farrant
1991 Herts County Championship - Winner Mark Peate
1991 Herts Salver - Winner Richard Dew
1990 Herts Salver - Winner Reg Coates
1973 Herts Boys Championship - Winner Ken Brown
1952 Herts County Championship - Winner E.R. ′Dickie′ Anscombe

Source:[9]

References

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  1. ^ HCGC official club website.
  2. ^ Tom Cox (28 March 2006). "Ken doesn't think my wobbly putting stroke is a total travesty". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
  3. ^ a b Emma Clark (7 July 2010). "Interview: Harpenden golfer and commentator Ken Brown". Hertfordshire Life. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
  4. ^ Ken Brown biography at the European Tour official site
  5. ^ Rebecca Perring (3 June 2013). "Harpenden Common Golf Club opens new clubhouse". St Albans and Harpenden Review. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
  6. ^ "Bamville Cricket Club-History". Bamville Cricket Club. Archived from the original on 14 October 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
  7. ^ Eric Brandreth (1981). "Harpenden Races; From the 1830s to 1914". Harpenden Local History Society. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
  8. ^ HCGC course record scorecard.
  9. ^ "HGU Winners Archive". Hertfordshire Golf Union. Retrieved 20 October 2013.