Malvern Water is justly renowned the world over. The Holywell has been a source of bottling since 1622 and it recently grabbed the local limelight by re-opening bottling operations, albeit on a modest scale. Schweppes made the local water famous in 1851 by supplying water for the Great Exposition. Luckily for the locals, there are some seventy sources dotted throughout the Malverns and on the many commons in which it is free to bottle the water for personal consumption.
Less known in the area is the golf course. In 1879 Worcestershire Golf Club was founded and the members played a course laid out on Malvern Common. It was on this course that as a boy Harry Shapland Colt cut his teeth while on holiday from Monkton Combe School near Bath. Colt did prepare a report for a new course, but once it was discovered that Mackenzie was invited to make a plan it would seem Colt got the hump and in 1926 resigned his membership! The club engaged Dr A Mackenzie and in 1927 the newly designed course on the lower slopes of the Malverns was opened. This course, however, was short lived. The advent of WWII saw the MoD compulsary purchase nine holes to make way for a military hospital. Thus in the early 1970s Hawtree added nine holes. There are some holes which reveal the superb skills of the good Doctor, but unfortunately the course suffers very badly from tree encroachment. There are far too many holes where there isn’t nearly enough space to play between the trees. The course is roughly 50% Dr Mac and 50% Hawtree. Holes 7-10, 14, 15 & 18 are Dr Mac originals. All of these holes are good with 7, 8 & 14 being exceptional. Holes 2-5, 12, 13, 16 & 17 are Hawtree originals. These holes are clearly not of the same quality as the Dr Mac examples, but 2, 5 & 12 have great potential if trees were removed.
The opening hole is a rather timid affair being a reachable par 4, but not without some interest. Below is a close look at the green. One can immediately see how the trees stunt the visual impact of the green site.
However, it is on the steeply uphill second hole where the problem of trees is glaringly obvious; it would seem to all except the membership. There isn't much more than 25 paces between trees. This is a shame because there is a lovely stream (which comes into play quite often) and a few supreme trees which could be utililized in presenting the handsome greensite in its best light.
In this picture it is plainly obvious by the orientation of the bunkers that the open play was to the right and the bold play down the left, threatening the stream and likely later the tree.
A look at the greensite without the interference of trees. Subtract the trees in the background and this wonderful view is likely much more what Hawtree had in mind.
The par 3s at Worcestershire are surprisingly average and most are congested with trees so I will spare the audience a look at the 3rd. #4 should be a rollicking good fun par 5 that is once again hampered by trees. There is OOB all down the left and a poor angle from the right so why plant the trees? If one hits a cracking drive he can have a blind go at the green which is tucked between the OOB line and water.
Trees have been cleared and a new bunker scheme employed on the short 5th. It doesn't look quite right, but the hole is good. The 6th, while quite tight, is nonetheless a sound hole. Water pinches both edges of the fairway at the driving zone. I think a left greenside bunker was recently removed. One can see how the land kicks right taking any shots from the left of the fairway that way as well, but the green moves subtlely left.
Behind the green.
The next is the third short par 4 on the opening seven holes. The green is the first we encounter which was allowed to run a bit wild. Anything above the hole has the full might of the Malverns shoving to the front of the green. The drive is more open than it appears, but I still don't understand the reason for all the trees, especially down the left since that is where the water is. There is also a very unpleasant clausterphobic feel around the tee. The views are better from the men's tee, but I reckon the ladie's tee brings the crossing creek into play.
The green doesn't in the least look intimidating from this distance, but it is quite harsh.
The 8th is easily the best short hole on the course. The bunkers have been reconfigured. There used to be two on the left.
The front nine closer is a dandy. The green mimics the shape of the fairway by continuing to bend right to left. Like the 2nd and the previous hole, its refreshing to play to a green site not surrounded by a green wall. I also note that a new fairway bunker was recently built at about 275 yards out; in firm conditions this bunker will be much more in play than many think.
#10 is another good hole heading straight up to the Malverns and consequently plays far longer than its 400ish yards. However, trees still lurk down the left blocking the view of the stream. The approach after a perfect drive.
We now play three back and forth holes which all play against the natural lay of the land and are completely lacking in space for this type of hole. Clear most of the trees and none of these holes are poor. Emerging from the forest, the 14th is a great hole. It swings hard left with yet another stream at the low point of the fairway, then heads uphill to a wickedly sloped and contoured three-tier green. The lower left front section was recently added with the adjacent bunker.
A look at the green from mid-right.
Behind the green.
The downhill 15th is a decent enough par 3, but the following two par 5s are simply poor holes. Both holes give a huge advantage to big hitters by design. The 16th turns at a very awkward distance; many cannot reach the corner. The 17th features fronting water which greatly increases the advantage of long ball hitters and leaves a dead boring second shot for everybody else.
The home hole is VERY tight, but very short. The green is the most severe on the course and I dare say if running at 9, this green would be unplayable. As it is though, its great fun. One would never guess the severity of the back to front slope from this photo and members take great delight in watching the action unfold from the patio.
By all means visit Malvern. It is a captivating town which retains an element of Victorian flare. By all means, visit the ultra cool St Annes Well Cafe and sip the nectar the Queen swears by. By all means, climb the hills and take in the views, they are worth the considerable effort. The course too is making great strides with recent tree clearance, but there is a long way to go. The greens too have improved immeasurably and it goes without saying that the 14th, one of the best holes in the Midlands, is better for the new work. Let us hope the membership grabs the bull by the horns and embarks on a plan to attack trees...the course deserves it. 2023
Ciao