No Easy Ryder

Nick Burch was interviewed by the PGA for a special feature on Verulam Golf Club.

The home course of Sam Ryder invariably gets its fair share of attention, none more so than in Ryder Cup year.

Verulam, in the historic Roman city of St Albans, was where Ryder learned to play golf and in 1911 - just two years after taking up the game at the age of 50, he became captain.

He held the position again in 1926 and 1927, years that saw the Ryder Cup contest between professionals from either side of the Atlantic Ocean born.

That history, combined with a traditional parkland course designed by James Braid, has put Verulam firmly on the map.

Head PGA professional Nick Burch, who has been at the club since 1993, admitted the Ryder Cup history was a big draw for visitors but also a link enjoyed by the membership.

“We have lots of visitors come to the club, particularly from America, who want to know more about the Ryder Cup history,” said Burch, who has just stepped down from the PGA East Region Committee after serving for four years.

“As it is Ryder Cup year and it’s in the UK we expect there to be quite a few more people coming here to play a course where the Ryder Cup story began.

“The media also come down and do pieces. We had Bruce Critchley from Sky come down and do a very good piece.

“But the Ryder Cup is also a special time for the members and we try and do quite a lot during the weekend of the Matches. We like to celebrate our links and we normally have a competition and then put on some lunch and sit down and watch the golf.”

The Course

It opened in 1905 and since then has nigh on remained as Braid designed. Though only 6,429 yards off the back tees, the par 72 track is far from easy with course records of 67 and 65 for amateur and professionals respectively.

Burch said: “It is an old fashioned Braid course which has not really changed much over the years.

“It’s a very good parkland course, which is quite tight and though it’s not a long course, the par fours that don’t have much length, it’s very strategic. The greens slope away from you and at this time of year it’s in perfect condition.

“It sits predominantly on gravel and so it drains incredibly well. Spring and the autumn are excellent times to play it at its best. In the summer, it can be a bit dry, offering a different challenge.

“I overheard a few of the lads who played in the Powerade Assistants qualifier and all seemed to have enjoyed the course and the condition of it.”

Signature Holes

The Road Hole, 17th - Par 3, 127 Yards

Burch says: “It’s a short par three but you have to hit over a road to land on the green. It’s not long but the green slopes away and if you miss the green take the bogey. It is the hole everyone remembers when they leave here.”

The Chasm, 15th - Par 4, 369 Yards

Burch says: “It’s called The Chasm because you have to hit your tee shot over a great big drop to a bank on the other side. It’s nigh on a blind drive because you don’t see your ball on the other side. It’s important to keep it straight as there are trees either side and out of bounds. Again the green is a testing one.”

Burch added: “You’ve got to hit the ball straight around here you can’t be left and right off the tee because the course is not very forgiving. About 10 of the holes have out of bounds so you certainly can’t be wild.”