Bradford

The following edited extract is from A Matter of Course: The life of William Herbert Fowler 1856-1941 by Derek Markham:

“The club was founded in 1891, and 1894 saw the establishment of eighteen holes on Baildon Moor. Four years later the decision was taken to move to a new site at Hawksworth. The new course, designed with the club’s professional W.C. Gaudin, was opened in 1900.

By 1919 the club decided to call in a recognised expert to evaluate the course’s potential and suggest improvements. Harry Colt was chosen for the task and Alister MacKenzie, by now in partnership with Colt, drew up plans to improve the bunkers.

The 1921 club annual report, published in January 1922, reported: ‘the Green Committee, in consultation with Dr. MacKenzie, have evolved a scheme for the alteration of the course, getting rid of the sixth hole, and bringing the length up to the standard for a first class inland course.’

Most surprisingly, the club’s committee then performed a volte face. It was announced that, after all, the contract for a redesign of the whole course would be awarded to Herbert Fowler. Fowler’s fee of £20 plus expenses was very similar to that paid to Colt two years earlier.

The sixth hole had been unpopular because of the long climb required to reach the tee. Fowler abandoned that area altogether, but still managed to design to an overall length of just over 6,000 yards.

He was able to modify the areas around many of the greens to suit his principles; several of the approach shots required became more challenging, and many bunkers were modified to suit Fowler’s preferences.

The need to retain as many of the existing greens as possible restricted Fowler’s routing options somewhat, with the result that some areas of the course were a little more awkward than he would have liked. Franks, Harris Brothers were appointed as contractors, at a cost of £1,977. The re-vamped course was ready for use in August 1923.”

Ken Moodie currently consults at Bradford, overlooking bunker upgrading, tree management and improved drainage, all of which are designed to return the course to its original heathland roots.