Southerndown

• Location: Bridgend, Wales
• Open: 1905
• Designer: Willie Fernie
• Major Course Updates: Herbert Fowler, Willie Park Jr., H.S. Colt, Donald Steel
• Events Hosted: 2014 NH Collection Open
• Key Rankings: 8th best golf course in Wales, Top 100 Golf Courses (2022)

 
Bernard Darwin, golf’s greatest writer, wrote that Southerndown is “perched high aloft and looks down on [Royal] Porthcawl, amid the many other glories of a beautiful view.” He was right, with stunning views of the Bristol Channel, the Ogmore River, and the Welsh countryside. Sheep can be found grazing the golf course even during a round of golf, and battling the coastal winds up high presents a unique challenge opposed to seaside. Among the admirers of Southerndown was Harry Vardon, winner of the 1896, 1898, 1899, 1903, 1911, and 1914 Open Championship, as well as the 1900 US Open.