Crondon Park Golf & Country Club

Crondon Park Golf and Country Club is located in the village of Stock, near Billericay in Essex, and is accessible from Junction 16 of the A12. The complex opened in 1994 and was designed by Martin Gillett. It sits within the Crondon Park estate, which also includes a historic function venue dating from around 1606. The main championship course is an 18-hole parkland layout measuring approximately 6,800 yards from the back tees and playing to a par of 72, with a further 9-hole par-27 course called the Willows Edge offering a shorter alternative. Over 21,000 trees were planted at the time of construction, maturing to create a densely wooded parkland character in which individual holes are screened from one another throughout the round.

The course is built on undulating terrain and features water hazards on around half of its holes, placing a strong emphasis on course management and accuracy. It comprises five par threes, five par fives, and eight par fours, with the greens constructed to USPGA specification. The course also includes holes modelled on famous designs from elsewhere. Among its more unusual characteristics is the closing hole, known as the Crondon Crunch, which at 860 yards from the back tees is claimed to be the longest finishing hole in the world and is unofficially considered a par six. The hole concludes with an approach shot over water to a green positioned beside a lake directly in front of the clubhouse.

A nine-hole floodlit driving range, outdoor grass bays, chipping and putting practice areas, and a golf academy with resident professionals are available on site. The club has undergone a substantial improvement programme in recent years including the installation of over 25 miles of drainage pipework, a full bunker rebuild, and a new fairway irrigation system.