19 Morfontaine Senlis, France Tom Simpson, 1927 Simpson’s philosophy was that a course should ask tough questions of the good golfer, but remain playable for those with less ability. This is exemplified at Morfontaine and the work done by Kyle Phillips over the past ten years, including a new green on the twelfth, has been handled with great sensitivity to Simpson’s original intentions. Sunningdale (New) Surrey, England Harry Colt, 1923 For those familiar with the Sunningdale of modern times it is quite a shock to see historic photos of the wide open common land with barely any trees in sight. In recent years the club has worked to take the New course back towards this more open heath feel, with tree clearance helping the heather to prosper and providing greater differentiation of character between the two courses at Sunningdale. Royal Aberdeen Aberdeenshire, Scotland Archie Simpson, Robert Simpson, James Braid, 1888 Formed in 1780, Royal Aberdeen is one of the oldest clubs in the world, and had been in existence for over 100 years before moving to its current site at Balgownie. Niall Glen says: “I am yet to see a more stunning sequence of golf holes than the front nine at Balgownie.” Walton Heath (Old) Surrey, England Herbert Fowler, 1904 The Old course at Walton Heath was Fowler’s first design, commissioned by his brother-in-law and club founder Sir Cosmo Bonsor. Known for its heather, beautiful and terrifying in equal measure, Walton Heath is also home to Fowler’s New course, which remains relatively untouched from its original design. ARCHITECTS’ CHOICE #53 ARCHITECTS’ CHOICE #52 why. As we are used to from Colt, it has a great routing, a set of great short holes (five in total) and many outstanding green complexes. And the course is no pushover, with a par of 68 you have to play well here to get a good score, especially when the greens are firm. Couple that with the beautiful heather-clad bunkers and the famous rhododendrons surrounding a number of the holes and you understand why it passed Colt’s own critical judgement: “The ultimate test of any golf course is will it live?”. Photo: Frank Pont ARCHITECTS’ CHOICE #54 ARCHITECTS’ CHOICE #53 ARCHITECTS’ CHOICE #52 ARCHITECTS’ CHOICE #51 “ I am yet to see a more stunning sequence of golf holes” Niall Glen on the front nine of Royal Aberdeen Photo: Aidan Bradley 56-51
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