Notts (Hollinwell)

Our newest reciprocal club, Notts Golf Club, is located in Nottinghamshire, and was founded in 1887.  The club later relocated to it's current site, playing the Willie Park Jnr designed layout from 1890.

In 1902, another member of the previously discussed "great triumvirate" JH Taylor, consulted on the course bunkering.  However, the greatest change came in 1912, when a Tom Williamson proposal to extend the course was accepted.

As part of this extension, the opening three holes were created, including this, the par four 2nd.  A lot of folklore exists about the happenings in this area, and it was here on the 2nd that Robin Hood and his "merry men" are said to have kept watch over the Sherwood Forest.  Pictured is what is known as Robin Hood's Chair, where he maintained a look out toward Newstead Abbey.

More stunning heather surrounds the fairways here at Notts as well.

The par four 8th hole is one of the strongest on the front nine, and the tee shot is quite daunting.  It is also the site of the thing that gives the club it's Hollinwell name.

This is the Hollinwell.  A "Holy well" dating back to the Robin Hood days.

It is said that a drink from the well will lend much strength to the golfer, particularly in the heat of Summer.  It tried it to see if I could get a spark, but if it worked, it certainly was not immediate!

One of our Notts GC hosts, Bruce, fires his shot to the par three 9th hole.

Notts is great test, and steps up a notch as you make the nine hole turn.  The tee shot here at the par four 10th shows why.  Not much fairway to look at there.

The par four 11th is one of the best framed holes on the course.  An uphill par four, with no real bail out area.

The view from the 12th tee, looking down over the 11th hole.

One of my other hosts, Robert, hit his approach into the par four 12th.

The par three 13th is known as the signature hole here at Notts.  Mike Bradley, the Notts GC club pro, fires his 7 iron in to 2 feet at this impressive downhill par three.

Much like the Surrey courses, the heather is flowering beautifully here further north.

The view looking back from the green to the 13th tee.

The bunkering complex on the approach to the par four 16th hole.

The view from behind the green on 16.

The view from behind the green on the par five 17th.

The two clubs together for the first time.  From the moment we arrived, there was a great atmosphere in the club as the parties from each team mixed.  A magnificent day was had by all.  A big thanks to Colin Maber, Martyn Bonner & Mike Bradley for their work in getting this to happen.

After golf we made our way over to Woodhall Spa, in preparation for our game at Woodhall Spa (Hotchkin) tomorrow.