Cavendish club named in top 100 courses in Great Britain

Cavendish Golf Club is celebrating after it was awarded a prestigious honour in its 90th year.

The Buxton course was ranked 42nd best in Great Britain by an informed and impartial panel of four at the National Club Golfer.

It was the only course in the county to make the publication’s top 100 and has been described by members as “Derbyshire’s Augusta”.

The accolade has arisen after the Cavendish was designed by the same British architect, Alister MacKenzie, as the home of Masters golf. Mike Watson, marketing director at Cavendish Golf Club, was understandably thrilled.

He said: “A lot of work has gone into the club by volunteers for which everyone is truly grateful. Golf is one of those sports that can be difficult financially, we’re very much dependent on good will.

“To be ranked 42nd is a massive achievement. You look down the list and there are some really big named courses there and we’re among them - it’s amazing.”

The independent panel first selected their top 150 England, Scotland and Wales courses for quality and then short-listed to the top 100 based on best value and under £100 green fees.

So, what separates the Cavendish to others?

“It is a beautiful course and a top facility for the town,” said Watson. “It really is a gem. From the natural lay of the land to the complexity of slopes on the greens.

“It’s a relatively short course by modern standards, a par 67, but is a challenging course. It’s a stunning location. Alister MacKenzie has made a masterpiece.

He added: “Despite tough economic conditions the club has continued to invest in an ambitious drainage and course maintenance programme. Much of the work has been undertaken by a dedicated ‘army’ of local member volunteers.”

Boasting more than 350 members, the club has active mens, ladies and junior sections ranging from all ages and abilities.

The club held a 90th anniversary competition earlier in the season where members were invited to dress in period 1925 dress and play the course to the original design.

- Have you ever played at the Cavendish? What’s your favourite course and why? Email [email protected] today.