Bishop Auckland

Situated on the High Plains, which is a pretty parkland property surrounding the Bishop of Durham's Palace. the course at Bishop Auckland Golf Club dates back to when the club was founded in 1894.

James Braid and Harry Vardon played a couple of invitational stroke play matches in August of 1906. Braid’s 72 in the morning was three strokes better than his opponent’s score then he also won the afternoon round by one shot after posting a 74.

Today, the course measures 6,460 yards on a property extending to around 115 acres. Par is set at 72 (37 out then 35 in) with holes arranged as two returning nines. Very unusually, the outward half features three back-to-back par fives at the 2nd, 3rd and 4th.

Highlights include heavily bunkered par threes at the 7th and 8th on the longer front nine, along with the left doglegging 13th (rated stroke index 2), which is the first of six demanding consecutive par fours at the end of the round.