Championship Golf

Hanbury Manor has a long history of hosting professional tournaments. I will confess that this had passed me by. I knew that the European Senior Tour had used it for events but I had not realised that it had further pedigree. Not only has it hosted the Willow Senior Golf Classic since 2016, it also hosted the English Open from 1997-1999 and the Women’s European Open in 1996. There are also not many courses that get an exhibition match when they are opened (or, in this case, reopened).

The return of the European Tour earlier this season really showed the course at its best. The weather was glorious and the green-keeping team had clearly put a lot of work into the presentation of the course. All golf courses look better against a backdrop of a deep blue sky! This time the competition was styled as “The English Championship” and it was won by Andy Sullivan. Sullivan played brilliantly to record his first European Tour win since the 2015 Portugal Masters. He had set the course record on Friday with a 62 (coming through the back 9 in just 28 strokes) and followed that with weekend scores of 64 and 65.

“Poles”

The history of Hanbury Manor goes back to the 16th century. It was originally known as “Poles” as a major building had been erected as the residence for Reginald Pole. Pole was a cardinal of the Catholic Church and the last Catholic Archbishop of Canterbury (holding the post from 1556-1558). The Hanbury family settled at Poles in the late 18th century, first holding a leasehold interest and later the freehold. The estate remained in the Hanbury family until 1923 when it was purchased by the Faithful Companions of Jesus who turned it into a convent school.

The school closed in 1986 and was acquired by a development company who spent 3 years renovating the house and converting it to a hotel. The original hotel opened in 1990 and it has been run by the Marriott group since 1996.

The Course

The original course was a 9 hole layout designed by Harry Vardon. It is not clear precisely when this was completed or opened, but most sources state “early 1900s”. The original course was laid out in front of the house around the lakes and through the mature trees. It is a classic parkland layout and makes up what is now the back 9. The terrain on this part of the property is fairly flat, albeit with a few undulations in the fairways and greens.

The front 9 was added by Jack Nicklaus II and opened in 1991. The new nine holes are in contrast to the original nine, as they are set in farmland which leads down to the River Rib and take in the natural elevation changes. Nicklaus used many of his father’s techniques and the American influences are clear. The holes are separated by grassy mounds, rather than being tree-lined, and there are numerous water features to negotiate.

Nicklaus also remodelled the back 9 and the result is a first-class course. It reminds me a lot of The Grove. That it has hosted so many professional tournaments is testament to the designer’s skill and the condition of the course.

Hole 1

The first is a short par 4. The design allows for three different options – either to play to one side of the split fairway or to go for the green. The green is only 12 yards deep, however, so it requires a high cut carrying approximately 280 yards to be able to hold it. It is 225 yards to carry to the left fairway or 160 yards to the right fairway. Playing at the green is dangerous as there is a deep hollow sitting in front of the green, and a long bunker across the front. The green itself is undulating and there is a steep slope from the middle running off to the right edge.

Hole 2

The 2nd is a long par 5 which does not play as long as its yardage. The tee shot is downhill to an initially wide fairway which narrows at about 300 yards and feeds right towards the three fairway bunkers. In the summer, the fairway will run hard and fast so if you hit it straight you will get excellent value for your shot. You play the approach across a lake and again the green is wide and thin. There are bunkers in front of and at the back of the green. If you go long, you will likely end up in the river.

Hole 3

After what are two fairly gentle holes to start, the 3rd gives you a little more to think about. It is open and susceptible to the wind, plays back up the hill and favours a draw. The fairway, however, slopes from right to left and so if you turn over the ball too much you will end up in the deep rough on the left. The green is in its own amphitheatre and protected by bunkers in front on the right and left.

Hole 4

The first par 3 on the cards is reminiscent of the 16th at The Grove. It looks benign, but has a tricky undulating green. The green is protected by the trees at the back, so take a few extra moments to check on the wind. It is very difficult to get up and down from the bunkers at the back, especially if the pin is centre or back right. The last time I played here, I was 3-down through three and in need of some inspiration. I hit a good shot to the centre of the green and my opponent was in the rough on the left. I made a comfortable 3, but he chipped in for birdie!

Hole 5

The 5th hole plays back down to the river. It is a good driving hole, with a wide fairway that runs parallel to the 2nd. Take care not to be too far left, as the trees encroach and can block out a good tee shot. The approach is played to a raised green which has two distinct levels. Anything short will run off and so it is worth taking an extra club (unless the pin is front right!).

Hole 6

I love a par 3 over the water and this one is beautifully framed. For most players the only water in play will be the pond to the front left of the green. Those who are a little more wayward may also struggle with the river! It is a good hit at 190 yards to the middle. Don’t go long, as there is a steep drop-off at the back of the green. It’s another large putting surface with plenty of scope for 3 putts!

Hole 7

This is a clever par 4. At 350 yards from the tips, it is pretty short and a longer hitter could go at the green. Everything narrows as you get closer to the green, however, and if you are out of position it can be very difficult to make par. The left side of the fairway gives the best angle for the approach, but it is littered with bunkers (5 in total). Avoid those and you will be playing straight up the green, which is long and thin. Missing right off the tee is dangerous, as the rough falls away towards the reeds and the river.

Hole 8

The best hole on the front 9. This is a par 4 that requires two good long, accurate shots to get on the green in regulation. The fairway is narrow, with trees hugging the right hand side and a steep drop-off on the left. If you are too far left you will end up down towards the 6th green and you will be playing your approach over the trees and the pond. The ideal tee shot will leave you 180-190 yards in from the right side of the fairway. The green has a false front and run-offs left and right that feed into the bunkers.

Hole 9

Another strong hole to finish the front 9. This is a par 5 that plays just under 500 yards from the back tees. It is uphill all the way, but it is all about the strategy and the approach. If you get a good drive away you should have a chance to go for the green in two, but all of the danger lies in the 2nd and 3rd shots. There are 7 bunkers on the hole – two protecting the lay-up at about 130 yards out from the green and 5 around the green. Like the 1st, the green is long and thin, but runs from left to right. It is only 14 yards deep at its widest point. Therefore the sensible play is to set your second out to the left and play up the green for your third.

After finishing the front 9, there is a long walk to the 10th. It is a slightly odd experience and it only goes to emphasise the difference between the two nines. At this point, you definitely have an advantage if you are in a buggy! That said, the walk is quite pleasant, through the trees and around the back of the hotel. The old red-brick buildings and carefully manicured lawns provide a nice view as you meander round to the 10th tee and the half-way house.

Hole 10

The back 9 starts with a fairly weak hole. Again, comparisons to The Grove come to mind – the 10th on both courses feels a little like it is a link to get you to the better part of the course. Nonetheless, it is not straightforward. On my last visit this was the only fairway that I missed. There is a bit more space to the right than is immediately apparent, and right is better than left! On our last trip, both of us went towards the large tree on the left – I was blocked out and Rob ended up on the driving range. The green is well protected with two bunkers at the front and one at the back.

Hole 11

Turning off the 10th green, the 11th comes into view. It is another beautifully framed par 3, with a gently undulating green appearing above three bunkers. There is an old gnarled tree at the back of the green which adds to the picture. The green is pear-drop shaped and is a full 35 yards from front to back. There are a couple of little bowls within the green complex as well, so it is worth checking the pin location.

Hole 12

The next three holes are my favourite on the course – starting with the par 5 12th. This is the longest hole on the course and requires three good shots to make it onto a tricky green. The fairway turns gently from right to left and then from left to right. Nothing huge, but just enough to make it difficult if you are on the wrong side. The trees, mounds and bunkers are very cleverly situated at just the points where the average golfer is likely to end up. The green is enclosed by trees and again is pear-drop shaped, with the narrow part at the front. A lone bunker provides protection on the right side of the green.

Hole 13

Visually this is the most pleasing hole on the course. The tee shot is played out to a wide fairway, which opens up the green. The hole prefers a high draw and, if you hit straight or with a fade, beware of the bunker on the right starting at about 235 yards. You play the approach over the water to a green protected by 3 pot-bunkers at the back and a long thin bunker at the front.

Hole 14

Back over the lake to a thin fairway for the 14th. This par 4 has a well-protected fairway, with 3 bunkers up the left side. With trees on the right side of the fairway, this now requires a high fade, taking the tee shot towards the bunkers and bringing it back to the centre. The approach is to a green with another narrow entrance but which is nearly 40 yards deep.

Hole 15

You then head across the road into the field with two holes. These feel a little bit like add-ons – especially the 15th, which has one solitary bunker and even that is not really in play. The tee shot is played out to the left and the hole turns slightly back to the right. If you are too far right off the tee, there are a couple of trees which will block out your approach. The green is set back in the top left corner of the property just next to the entrance.

Hole 16

The 16th is a deceptively difficult par 3. It is only 185 yards (so not long by professional standards), but it ranked as one of the more difficult holes of the week. It yielded only 5 birdies in the last round (albeit there was also a hole-in-one!). The green is narrow (about 14 yards across) and on two tiers. It is protected by bunkers front left and right, with a third at the back.

Hole 17

Two good holes to close out the round. The 17th is a tough par 5 for the amateurs, and was an equally challenging par 4 for the professionals. It ranked most difficult for the tournament, with only 37 birdies and a scoring average of 4.35. The hole is effectively S shaped, playing between the trees and with an approach over the lake. The ideal shot leaves you around the fairway bunker on the right, but at this point the fairway pinches to leave a perilously narrow landing area. If you can fly the bunker (c. 280 to carry from the back tees), you will have around 200 yards for your approach.

The green is well protected with the water and a bunker at the front, a bunker for the bail-out left and a pot bunker above the green. Once aboard you then need to deal with the different levels and subtle undulation! Par 4 or Par 5, this is a great hole.

Hole 18

The closing hole plays back up towards the Manor House. It is another great driving hole – across the lake to a wide fairway. At only 380yards from the tips, a good drive will leave you just a short iron into the green. Protection for the green comes in the form of 4 bunkers on the right side and a huge oak tree on the left. The green is again pear-drop shaped with a narrow entrance and has three different sections. It runs away from the bunkers and so anything other than a back left pin will be a difficult up and down.

Closing thoughts …

Hanbury Manor is a worthy opponent and a really enjoyable test of golf. The comparisons with The Grove are obvious and although it is not quite in the same league, it is great value at roughly a third of the cost. There are a few holes which are a bit boring, but they are in the minority. There is enough variety to keep most people interested and I think it would be great for matchplay. It is definitely a “resort” style course, but with conditioning this good, I find it difficult to complain.

I have not had the chance to experience the hotel, but I thoroughly recommend the course. It is a great testament to the ground staff and green-keepers that the professionals were so impressed. I hope that this summer represents the return of tournament golf to Hanbury Manor on a regular basis. I will certainly be back!