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Channels Golf Club, Little Waltham, Chelmsford. (1974 - 2017)
Club Established in 1974.
Thanks to Richard Anderson for his help in compiling the history of Channels Golf Club.
It was reported that the club would be closing in March 2017 due to continuing losses.
At one stage it was a profitable 27-hole setup.
The Channels was the main eighteen-hole with its undulating fairways and numerous water hazards. A magnificent course, boasting some of the finest greens in the county, superbly managed and kept in peak condition.
There was also mention for Poppi’s a tricky nine-hole par 3 course. It required a skilful, accurate short game and was a good test of golf.
Entry from the 1982 Golfer’s Handbook; Membership 500; secretary J W Paul; professional, I B Sinclair; 18-holes, 5,933 yards, SSS 68; course records, amateur – I H Morrison, 69; professional – G Burroughs, 69; visitors, £4.20, (weekend £5.60).
1988 Golfer’s Handbook; Established 1983; mmembership 650; secretary, S M Everitt; professional, I B Sinclair; 18-holes, 6,033 yards, SSS 69; visitors, £8.75.
Sunday Telegraph Golf Course Guide 1990; Founded 1974; 18-hole4s, 6,100 yards, SSS 69, designed by Cotton, Pennink, Lawrie and Partners.
Golfer’s Handbook 1991; Secretary, R J Stubbings; professional, I B Sinclair; 18-holes, 6,033 yards, SSS 69; visitors, £19.
By the 1990s it had developed into the 18-hole Channels and the 9-hole Belsteads Course, the latter listed on golfadvisor as opening in 1994
Sunday Telegraph Golf Course Guide 1998; Professional, Ian Sinclair; designed by Henry Cotton; Belsteads Course; 18-holes, 4,779 yards, SSS 70; Channels Course; 18-holes, 6,272 yards, SSS 70.
Sunday Telegraph Golf Course Guide 2004; Professional, Ian Sinclair; designed by Henry Cotton; Belsteads nine-holes, 4,779 yards, SSS 63 ; Channells 18-holes, 6376 yards, SSS 71; visitors; Belsteads, £20; Channels, £32 weekdays only.
Golfer’s Handbook 2006; Membership 650; secretary, Mrs S J Larner; professional, Ian Sinclair; Channels – 18-holes, 6,413 yards, Par and SSS, 71; Belsteads – 18-holes, 4,779 yards, Par 67, SSS 63.
In about 2009 the southern portion of the land was given over for housing development and the layout reduced to 18 holes. This entailed the loss of the 4th to 8th holes on the Channels course, including a fine par 4 at the 6th with water down the right of the hole, and the player having to decide how much to bring this into play. The altered layout incorporated some holes from the Belstead course.
A few years later the short par four 8th was taken out of play in favour of a 100 yard par 3 as the 15th, giving a final length from the white tees of 6070 yards, par 69, scorecard and hole profiles below.
Above images courtesy of SkyGolf 360.
There were many variances in course measurements. The scorecard below is probably an early example.
Above from 2015 - The proposed "new" 6,6 70 yard eighteen-hole reconfigured course which was due to open in 2017. It never came to fruition.
