Some Golfing locations

[Anthony McKay]

From DEPARTMENT S: Handicap Dead (July 1968)











From MAN IN A SUITCASE: The Boston Square (February 1967)







From THE SECRET SERVICE: A Hole In One (Autumn 1968)

[Mikey]

Tony I think that The Boston Square golf course is Glen Eagles.

[Mikey]

[mariocki]

Nice one, Mike.

[Anthony McKay]

name='Anthony McKay']From DEPARTMENT S: Handicap Dead (July 1968)











From THE SECRET SERVICE: A Hole In One (Autumn 1968)

Thanks Mike,



One down, two to go.

[Mikey]

Tony and Mariocki, I'm just pleased that I've been able to find one of the many locations that get posted here. As I recently said to Tony via e-mail, I live in the wrong part of the UK to usually assist in locating these places.



Okay then what about the Golf Course in Handicap Dead, well I think the only chance we have of identifying this one is the two clubhouse buildings in the top left-hand corner. Needless to say I have now spent two evenings looking at various golfing sites to see if I can find these in any images there. So far... no luck, but looking at the footage it is obviously stock material from an event and that says to me it has to be one of the well known golf couses either in England or Scotland.



Has anyone else any ideas?

[mariocki]

Well you've found more than enough in your time Mike.



I would think that a keen golfing afficionado would be able to identify the course without too much of a problem, especially with that ravine the players are crossing. I can remember Jean Van De Velde putting a shot into a similar looking stretch of water in The Open in 1999 and that was held at Carnoustie.



File:18th hole, Carnoustie, Open 2007.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia



Here's the list of host courses for The Open during the sixties:



1969 Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club

1968 Carnoustie Golf Links

1967 Royal Liverpool Golf Club

1966 Muirfield

1965 Royal Birkdale Golf Club

1964 St Andrews

1963 Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club

1962 Royal Troon Golf Club

1961 Royal Birkdale Golf Club

1960 St Andrews



Royal Liverpool's out as the sea isn't visible from that couse as seen in the 1st pic.

[Anthony McKay]

I agree it looks like Carnoustie course, but all the photos I can find are dominated by the hotel - which looks to be post '60s.

[Anthony McKay]

Here is one showing tents and the 18th hole. If you concetrate on the tents and the bridge you could say - 'er yes, possible'

[Mikey]

name='mariocki']



File:18th hole, Carnoustie, Open 2007.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia



Here's the list of host courses for The Open during the sixties:



1969 Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club

1968 Carnoustie Golf Links

1967 Royal Liverpool Golf Club

1966 Muirfield

1965 Royal Birkdale Golf Club

1964 St Andrews

1963 Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club

1962 Royal Troon Golf Club

1961 Royal Birkdale Golf Club

1960 St Andrews



Royal Liverpool's out as the sea isn't visible from that couse as seen in the 1st pic.

Mariocki



I had a look through these and couldn't really decide on any of them, although logically if you consider that the stock had to be from the sixties and that The British Open was the most likely source for it, then logically it has to be one of these.

[Mikey]

Tony



I've looked on the Carnoustie website and other sites with photographs of the course and cannot really find proof to confirm it as the location.

[Anthony McKay]

I just had a look at the episode again and you can see the trees to the south and the bay with the river winding into the sea through the sand at low tide. I'm 95% convinced it's Carnoustie. There are also photos on Google Earth that have shots towards the town from the beach - nothing definate, but the topography is very simmilar.

[Anthony McKay]

Confirmation!

[Anthony McKay]

name='Anthony McKay']



From THE SECRET SERVICE: A Hole In One (Autumn 1968)

Only one to go!



This should be near Slough/Beaconsfield/Maidenhead



In fact it could be the old Maidenhead clubhouse! Check out the detached building on the left of the first picture that resembles the one currently in the maidenhead Club car park!

[Mikey]

Tony



Yes, you look to have got the Handicap Dead location.



The building has obviously had some work (additions) done since the sixties, but your detective work with Google Earth has certainly paid off.



Plus, as you say the river at this course in quite distingtive and a bit of a give away.

[Mikey]

Tony



I've been looking on a website that lists all the golf courses in Buckinghamshire and I must admit I came across Maidenhead and dismissed it straight away because it looked completely different from the building in the screengrab.



However, the clubhouse in The Secret Service was a wooden construction and would it have lasted until 2008?



I see your point completely with this... The building could have been totally refurbished or more likely it's been demolished and a new building erected on the site.



I agree that the secondary building is in the right place and in addition to that the trees and the left-hand bunker is also in the right place.



I tend to think that you could have also found this location and if that's the case then it's three out of three.



Okay... I might not be able to help with anything else... but what else have you got?

[Anthony McKay]

The club house was re-built in 1995, but the design seems to incorporate the bay windows of the original.



I've been looking for the houses that overlook the course and come up with some possible candidates - but none of them fit exactly.

[Mikey]

name='Anthony McKay']



I've been looking for the houses that overlook the course and come up with some possible candidates - but none of them fit exactly.

Could they have been changed too?

[Anthony McKay]

name='Mikey']Could they have been changed too?

The whole area is sprouting MDF mansions like mushrooms.







The one house that looks most likely is this, but the house in front looks the same vintage.







And there could be a vague image of this second house on the right seen in the episode.







But there is no trace of the house to the far right of the frame grab.

[Mikey]

I'm happy with the evidence you have found to say that yes, this is the place.



As you point out though there are now additional structures, and I suppose the most logical answer has to be that some building has taken pleace during the 40 years since the episode was filmed.