Seaton Carew: The jewel on industrial Teesside that is outstandingly consistent
Why we’d rather be playing this consistently high quality links course
A jewel on industrial Teesside, Seaton Carew Golf Club has hosted many R&A and EGU events over its long and illustrious history.
The massive improvements that have been made to the course at Seaton Carew Golf Club, over the past couple of years, have once again been recognised by the golfing press.
Last year the Club saw its standing in National Club Golfer’s Top 100 Courses in England climb 39 places from 85th to 46th, taking it into the Top 50 for the first time.
Such glowing recognition is a tribute to recently appointed course manager, Tom Coulson, and his dedicated team of green keepers who have taken the course to a new level.
The Club is currently consulting with renowned golf architects MacKenzie & Ebert to ensure that all future developments follow the design ethos of one the course’s earlier designers, Dr. Alister MacKenzie. This will create a layout which will appeal to golfers of all standards whilst still providing a challenge applicable to modern championship golf.
History
Seaton Carew Golf Club was founded in 1874 making it the 10th oldest golf club in England.
Although, the original 14-hole layout was extended to 18-holes before the end of the 19th century, in 1925 it was decided that Seaton’s links needed a major revamp and Dr. Alister MacKenzie was chosen to carry out the work. His design moved parts of the course eastwards into recently created dunes and most of those holes remain relatively unchanged to this day.
Over the years, Seaton Carew has hosted a number of prestigious amateur events including two Brabazon Trophies and, as a celebration of the club’s 150th anniversary in 2024, it has been invited to host the English Amateur Championships. Despite its industrial surroundings this is a genuine links course which is well worth a visit.
What makes it special
Seaton Carew’s claim to fame is that it is the only club to have 22 holes, although only 18 are ever in play at any one time. This quirk of fate allows the club to create three different course layouts, the Old, Micklem & Brabazon, the latter two combing most of MacKenzie’s holes with the more recent creations of another great designer, Frank Pennink.
Where does it rank?
168th in GB&I, 75th in Value, 46th in England.
Where is it?
Seaton Carew Golf Club is located on England’s east coast, just off the south side of the sun-kissed Seaton Carew beach.
Get in touch with Seaton Carew
For more information about the club and course, visit its website or call them on 01429 266249.
- Related: NCG Top 100s: Seaton Carew Golf Club review
- Related: How Seaton Carew made me realise golf (and life) is to be enjoyed
- Related: Register to play Seaton Carew now!
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Ben Outhwaite
Ben is National Club Golfer's Marketing Editor and the latest addition to our golf equipment review team.
He specialises in testing golf bags, beginner golf club sets, apparel and golf accessories. He also collates our buying guides so you know which are the latest and greatest bits of golf equipment on the market.
Ben picked up his first golf club when he was five years old – which was in fact a left-handed set of clubs!
He is a member at Rudding Park Golf Club and has a handicap of fifteen.
