In Episode 5 of our ‘Story of a Golf Club’ series, we return to the famous Surrey sand-belt to visit the youngest member of the great quartet of clubs in the area: The Berkshire.
This heathland was once a dense forest which hosted the Royal hunting trips organised by Queen Anne in the 18th century, along with nearby Swinley Forest. After much of the timber was cleared in 1916 to support the British effort in the First World War, Herbert Fowler surveyed the 400-acre estate on horseback, and his two designs were finally brought to life in 1928. He paid homage to the land’s military heritage by simply naming them The Red and The Blue, symbolic of two opposing sides in battle.
Although Fowler had little experience in course design prior to 1904, his work on Walton Heath brought him huge plaudits across Europe, prompting Bernard Darwin to call Fowler “perhaps the most daring and original of all golfing architects.”
Whilst The Blue is a traditional layout, The Red breaks all the rules of course architecture: 6 par threes, 6 par fours, and 6 par fives. Most of the par fives on The Red are reachable in two, but there is a premium on being accurate from the tee: the purple heather flanking the fairways promises to ensnare any wayward shots. The true defence (and beauty) of The Red is provided by the par threes, and Fowler is well-known for beginning his course designs with the location of the short holes, in order to maximise the natural topography. The 7th, 10th, and 16th holes on The Red are all set on high ground, combining both stunning views across the property with a measure of visual intimidation that will unnerve even the best ball-strikers.
The Blue course at The Berkshire occupies much of the lower ground of the estate and feels more secluded and intricate. It is often regarded as the tougher of the two courses: the opening tee shot plays 210 yards over a heathery abyss, and the back 9 closes with four challenging two-shotters, the standout being the 16th.
The Berkshire is another club in our series which has done much to encourage the Amateur Game. The Berkshire Trophy for Gentlemen began in in 1946 and boasts a list of past winners which includes Sir Michael Bonallack, Sandy Lyle, and Sir Nick Faldo. The Astor Salver for Ladies, which was first played in 1951, has also attracted some of the best female golfers.
But from the moment you drive through the gates at The Berkshire you feel incredibly welcome, and you get the sense that The Berkshire prides itself on its warm, friendly atmosphere and attentive hospitality, just as much as its highly-ranked golf courses and reputation for prestigious Amateur Golf.
With elevation changes, brilliantly contoured approaches, and picturesque views across the property, The Red and The Blue offer variety and strategic challenge in equal measure. The Berkshire is nestled in a formidable golfing landscape, and is perennially near the top of the UK rankings along with many of its neighbours. Whether you are approaching one of the stunning green complexes framed by purple heather, or playing one of its world-beating par 3s, or even enjoying its famous buffet lunch, The Berkshire is not only immaculately presented, but simply a playground of tremendous fun.
