Sudbury

Today, the course extends to 6,307 yards from the back markers, playing to a par of 70, where several holes run adjacent to the Grand Union Canal. Over time, the holes have been re-sequenced (the old 1st is now the 6th, for instance) which in large part explains why a round here now concludes with a par three hole. Not much else has changed down the years but the infrastructure is constantly kept under review, as evidenced by a major upgrade of the irrigation system in 2017.

Guy Stacey, formerly General Manager at Sudbury, kindly commented as follows:

“The 11th hole is generally regarded as the most difficult hole on the course, a sweeping 420-yard right dogleg that rises up the hill towards the clubhouse. A perfectly placed bunker on the left of the fairway places an emphasis on the tee shot and then you are left with a medium to long iron shot, depending on the wind direction, to a well-protected green that slopes from back to front. A par on this stroke index 2 hole is always a good score.

The 2nd hole is considered to be the signature hole at Sudbury. It measures 421 yards and the tee shot is played downhill to a generous fairway. The second shot is a little more difficult as it plays to a green that sits atop a raised mound which is protected by an original moat dating back to medieval times – the green complex cannot be changed or altered as it’s looked after by the National Trust as an area of local interest.”

The medieval moat at the 2nd hole is a mere whippersnapper compared to the large sarsen stone that's set upon a plinth on the clubhouse terrace. This stone was reputedly used as a boundary marker during the survey of 74-76 AD by the Roman civil engineer, Julius Frontinus.