For our May meeting the Society makes a welcome return to Dorset as we take on a couple of old favourites in Broadstone and the Isle of Purbeck.
Broadstone is a fine example of English heathland golf that always features in any list of Top 100 GB&I courses. The current Broadstone layout can be attributed to the skills of Harry Colt, one of our most famous golf course architects. The course is laid out on glorious rolling terrain with the more elevated homeward nine providing panoramic views of the Purbeck Hills and Poole Harbour. Although Broadstone isn’t the longest of courses it lacks nothing in terms of beauty, with a profusion of heather, gorse, birch and pine to contend with. This area is a hotbed of quality golf with Parkstone, Ferndown and Remedy Oak also offering great golf in and around Poole.
GSGB last visited the Isle of Purbeck and Broadstone in 2016 and although Purbeck is unlikely to ever rank quite as high as Broadstone, it provides wonderful enjoyment and some of the best views in golf, across Brownsea Island towards Poole Harbour. The course is set in a heathland nature reserve complete with a profusion of gorse, heather and rare flora and fauna. The club was founded in 1892 and was modified at the turn of the 20th century by Harry Colt. In more recent times Tim Lobb has made further enhancements. Enid Blyton and her husband once owned the Isle of Purbeck Golf Club and no doubt the surroundings inspired her writings.