Seaton Carew, Hartlepool, England

www.seatoncarewgolfclub.co.uk

White tees: Old Course par 71, SSS 72, 6603 yards
                   Brabazon par 73, SSS 73, 6920 yards
                   Micklem par 71, no SSS, 6594 yards
                   Bishop par 73, SSS 73, 6857 yards           

Red tees: Old Course par 73, SSS 74, 5526 yards
                Brabazon par 74, SSS 76, 5853 yards
                Micklem par 72, no SSS, 5513 yards
                Bishop par 74, no SSS, 5788 yards

The best known of the true links courses in this area, Seaton Carew's unusual name derives from the name of a Norman family who settled in the area (Carou) while 'seaton' means a farmstead or settlement by the sea.  Originally the Durham and Yorkshire golf club, it was founded as a 14 hole course in 1874 and converted to 18 holes in 1891.  Seaton Carew is unusual in that it has 22 holes and 23 greens, played as five different layouts.  Eighteen of the holes were designed by Alister Mackenzie who created Augusta National and the newer four by Frank Pennink.

The narrow entrance to the 7th green

After a friendly welcome we played the Old Course format which is the original Alister Mackenzie layout on a windy but bright day.  Compared to many links courses it is flat and has no views of the sea because of the massive buckthorn wind barrier.  Named 'Doctor' after Mackenzie, the 3rd hole is a memorable par 3 with a wall of huge bunkers awaiting a short shot and a right to left sloping green punishing anything less than a perfect shot.  Perfection is also required for the approach shot to the 7th with its narrow entrance.  At the turn the newer four holes can be seen. These have more dunes  than the original course and are closer to the beach so do have sea views. 

The second nine heads back towards the clubhouse with 'Lagoon', the 10th hole, again requirng accurate shots to avoid the fairway bunkers and the lateral water hazard on the right and to remain on the sloping plateau green.  The 12th is not for the faint hearted - a par 3 with a fearsome carry over suicidal rough.  The theme of difficult approaches and greens continues at the 17th, an excellent par four with a narrow tilted green complex.  With lots of out of bounds areas the 18th completes a testing course.

The par 3 12th

Worth playing?  Yes. An interesting course.  Try to play the layout with the newer holes which look good.