Sandy Herd’s 1914 parkland design at Aspley Guise & Woburn Sands Golf Club was extended from 9 to 18 holes in the 1970s. It’s not the longest course in the region but it hosted the 2009 County Championships.
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Sandy Herd’s 1914 parkland design at Aspley Guise & Woburn Sands Golf Club was extended from 9 to 18 holes in the 1970s. It’s not the longest course in the region but it hosted the 2009 County Championships.
Aspley Guise & Woburn Sands
Sandy Herd, the 1902 Open Champion at Hoylake, designed the original 9-hole layout for Aspley Guise & Woburn Sands Golf Club and the holes were constructed by Charles Willmott, who remained as club professional for over forty years.
When more land became available in the mid-1970s, Bob Sandow – who worked for a spell with Robert Trent Jones Snr in America and was at one time the Director of Golf for the Shah of Iran – set out an additional nine to form a full 18-hole course.
Nominations for standout holes must surely include the two short par fours at the 3rd and 6th. The former plays to a heavily sand-defended two-tier green with the latter doglegging slightly right to a green that sits behind a small stream.
On the back nine, the 14th and 18th are terrific par fives but the most memorable hole is played right at the start of the inward half, at the 172-yard 10th. With out of bounds all along the left side, tee shots must carry a small gully in front of a green which is protected by bunkers on three sides.