Members of the 1200-strong club vied with clubs from across Suffolk in a series of matches on Monday (June 22) after investing £1.5m in extending the 18-hole course.

With four new specially-designed holes at 2, 6, 7 and 8 – which were completed last year – the club’s course has made it into the top 100 in Britain and Ireland, with a ranking of 96.

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Aldeburgh Golf Club president Tim Rowan-Robinson, Suffolk Golf Union president John Maddock, Suffolk Ladies County Golf Association president Carol Deslandes, Charles Denton, ladies’ captain Susie Manson-Bahr and club secretary David Wybar (Image: Sarah Chambers)

In England, the member-owned club – which was founded in 1884 making it Suffolk’s second oldest after Felixstowe – is now ranked 46th.

Captain Charles Denton said all the funds for the project were raised from members.

Those who have played the new course are “incredibly enthusiastic”, he added, and it was yet another draw for visitors to Aldeburgh.

“What we have done is introduce four new golf holes designed by probably the foremost current UK golf course architects – Tom Mackenzie and Martin Ebert,” he said.

“Everyone has praised the quality of each of the four holes – each providing a different challenge.

“What we wanted to do was to increase the quality and variety of the course.

“These are the first major changes of the championship course of Aldeburgh Golf Club for over 100 years.”

Before the latest changes the course didn’t have any par-5 holes and have increased the par for the course from 68 to 70, he explained.

The land needed for the expansion was purchased back in 1932. Its sandy sub-soil meant – in line with the rest of the course – it provided a “perfect foundation”, said club chiefs.

Club president Tim Rowan-Robinson said: “I think they are fantastic. The reaction has been tremendous. It’s almost unanimously favourable. It’s been very, very well received – it’s done exactly what we wanted it to do.”

Martin Ebert said: “It has been a most fulfilling experience to make such a mark on the evolution of the course. We are most grateful to the club for having the faith in use to help take this significant step.”

Representatives from 22 Suffolk golf clubs, the Suffolk Golf Union and Suffolk Ladies County Golf Association played a series of 26 matches.

A celebratory lunch hosted by the club was followed by speeches from Charles Denton, Tim Rowan-Robinson and Suffolk Golf Union president John Maddock.