| Tuesday, 07 September 2010 |
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Situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty on the edge of the Chiltern Hills and within 40 miles of central London, Ashridge Golf Club has long been associated with warm hospitality and the very best in golfing traditions. Indeed Ashridge was one of the very first private Clubs to open its doors and welcome visitors and societies - today the same warm welcome is assured.
The course once formed part of the estate of Ashridge, ancient home of the Brownlows. In days gone by the park was one enormous forest in which the owners of the estate and their guests hunted for deer and other game. Herds of deer still roam the course whilst the old mansion is a Management College.
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The original course architects were C K Hutchison, Sir Guy Campbell and N V Hotchkin and at a later date Mr Tom Simpson made some alterations. These distinguished gentlemen were careful not to diminish the beauty of the parkland with the result that every single hole possesses the priceless attribute of unspoilt, natural loveliness.
The course enjoys the benefits of a basic 'clover leaf' layout with three tees adjacent to the Clubhouse. The design of individual holes and the skilful bunkering make Ashridge a model of the best features in both traditional and modern golf architecture.
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As Bernard Darwin wrote:
'The romantic and traditional names have not been lost. Witchcraft Bottom and Nob's Crook, Thunderdell - a wood of splendid beeches where blasted trunks bear witness to its evil reputation ; Princes Riding - a long avenue with a stately monument at the end of it; were there ever more thrilling names? Today they have been transferred to appropriate holes upon the course, and the holes are worthy of the names'.
Much has been said and written about Ashridge but perhaps the words of another notable author provide a suitable conclusion to this introduction.
'A course such as this golfing jewel is difficult to describe in comparatively few words, for although the pen can draw the beauty of its scene it cannot describe its undeniable charm'.
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