Castle Eden Golf Club
HISTORY
The following is from the Official Handbook of Castle Eden Golf Club 1949 kindly given by Mr. R. Hodgson, Past President.:-
Castle Eden Golf Club was formally known as THE DENE GOLF CLUB and was formed after the first World War by some of the staff of Messrs. J. Nimmo & Son Ltd., Brewers of Castle Eden, with the help of the owner. The land, which was rented for the purpose, is situated between the Sunderland and Stockton Road and Castle Eden Dene, which dene is rated as one of the best in the countryside. Although the course stands amidst coal mines, there are no signs of mining activities from the course, and the surrounding scenery is beautiful indeed. When the Club came into being, the persons concerned obtained for a Club House a large army hut from the War Department, which with a little alteration was made into an excellent Club House, comprising a large Lounge overlooking the course, a smaller lounge, Ladies Room, Gents' and Ladies' Locker Rooms and a Bar. At a later date a brick kitchen was added at the rear. The Club House, although mainly made of wood is still in an excellent state of preservation.
The Dene Golf Club when it was founded in the 1920's was used solely by the members of the Brewery as a private Club, although a few local residents were members on invitation. In 1922 the Club was changed to Castle Eden Golf Club and opened to the public for membership. During the 1939/45 World war the Club lost two of its most interesting holes and two emergency holes were made to keep it a nine-hole course, but it is hoped that the lost holes will be restored some time in the future.
Two holes are always referred to as the "Clock hole" and the "Punchbowl" which are the present 5th and 6th holes respectively. The "Clock" hole derives its name from the fact that the green is near the side of the road in front of the Brewery on the wall of which is a large clock overlooking the golf course; while the "Punchbowl" is so called because the former green at the 6th hole was in a hollow in the shape of a bowl. One of the most interesting holes id the 8th hole which is 190 yards long, there being about 100 yards carry over a ravine, often a graveyard of good scores.
The course, placed as it is, is easily accessible with a bus stop at its entrance. There are also ample car parking facilities. High and plain teas are catered for. The Castle Eden course is a joy to the golfer practically all the year round, the turf being in excellent condition, and survives excessively dry weather better than most. The President, J. W. Nimmo Esq. has been President of the existing Club since its commencement and has always taken a keen interest in Sport, and the welfare of the Club.
Captain.............................................Dr. R.G. Russell
Vice Captain.....................................W. Lamb, Esq.
Ladies' Captain..................................Miss M. Marriott
Vice Captain......................................Mrs. R. G. Russell
Hon. Secretary & Tresurer ................S. Bott, Esq.
Ladies' Secretary................................Miss M. Edwards
Professional & Greenkeeper. ..............E.O. Longworth.
Green Fees:- 2s. 6p per day; 3s. 6p Saturdays and Sundays. The subscriptions are very modest in these costly days and are as follows:-
Gentlemen..........Entrance Fee £2. 2s. 0p.........Subscription £3. 3s 0p
Ladies................Entrance Fee £1. 1s. 0p.........Subscription £2. 2s. 0p
9th Hole in 1949
This is the view in 2001
The following paragraph is from the Durham County Union of Golf Clubs History File
By 1922 Seaham Harbour, Boldon, Eaglescliffe, Beamish, Castle Eden and Crook had been admitted to the Union, with Harton Moor & Ryton G.C. being elected in 1923. South Moor, Garesfield and Burnopfield followed in 1924.
It remained a nine-hole golf course until 1968 when Peterlee Development Corporation granted extra land to develop another nine holes. Sir Henry Cotton (British Open Champion 1934, 1937 & 1948) was commissioned to design the extra holes and the layout is considered by many to be the best golf course in the area.
The General Committee and Officials of the Golf Club were successful in negotiations to buy the golf club land in the 1970's from the Brewery and Peterlee Development Corporation. The club is now owned by the members, who benefit by having low membership fees. There is a long waiting list (200 gents and 10 ladies) and the waiting time is estimated as 6 to 8 years. Members' fees, last year Gentleman paid £486 and Ladies £320
In 2000 the club name was changed back to Castle Eden Golf Club by the members.
Golf Course.
The first three holes are over 400 yards long and are rated the hardest start to any golf course in County Durham. The fourth is a dogleg, which is well guarded with bunkers. Fifth hole has a wide fairway but demands an accurate 2nd shot to hit a green that slopes away from the player. The sixth hole, the first of 4 par three holes is a daunting prospect for a high handicap player its 175 yards requiring a carry of 100 yards to avoid a ravine. The seventh hole has a line of trees across the fairway 200 yards from the tee, these are to be negotiated to approach to the green. The trees again come into the reckoning when playing the eighth hole, but being only 150 yards away, players can easily hit over. The ninth hole is the second par three hole and rounds off the first nine. The 10th hole, a par 5, has an interesting backdrop of a castle built by Colonel Burdon, a local Coal Mine owner, in the early part of the century. The 11th hole is a short par three. The 12th and 13th holes are long par 4's, a feature of the 13th is the hollow on the left of the fairway, which is the site of an air crash during the Second World War (1942). Club Captains, accompanied by the local vicar, still visit the spot on Remembrance Day, marking the spot with a wooden cross. The last 6 holes present a tough finish, not least the 15th a 464-yard hole with trees aligning the fairway.
