Seaton Carew

The club celebrates its 150th year four years hence and tangible plans are underway to mark the anniversary in style.  This demonstrates both the seniority and the rejuvenation of the club. Although physically overshadowed by the de-commissioning of the Brent Alpha oil platform it is not overshadowed by any of the other east coast links courses.  It is a very special place with the distinctive flora of wind hammered growth, big skies and a broiling North Sea. 

 It’s condition and status is embellished by the four extra holes which allow for rotation across 5 separate layouts; The Old, The Micklem, the Brabazon, Bishop and the New Course.  These layouts rotate according to events, restoration and rest.  The great Mackenzie designed a number of holes and it plays like a fast running Brancaster. 

 They have recruited a new green keeper, born in the North East, from Royal St George’s which demonstrates the company and ambitions they keep.  Remarkable works are being undertaken by the greenkeeping team as witnessed by the photographs.

 I played the Bishop course which encompasses all the outlying holes.  The only drawback from so many layouts is that I will have to keep coming back to assess them all.  Very generously they let me pay my green fee to Alzheimer’s Society for which many thanks

 I stayed at Whitby which was a very jolly halfway house with Ganton.