In the 1888-89 Golfing Annual the course was described as being of "sandy nature, covered with soft velvet turf that springs under one's foot and rejuvenates the aged".

[3] and was also featured in The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News[4] which even in 1894 stated that "in the opinion of visitors that between St Andrews and Sandwich there are few better rounds on the east coast than Seaton Carew."

On transferring to Middlesbrough to further his medical career Dr. McCuaig was dismayed to find there was nowhere throughout County Durham or North Yorkshire to exercise his talent for the game.

It was close to the mouth of the River Tees, running between the north shore and Seaton Carew village, and was owned by Lord Eldon.

With Eldon's permission, and after some resistance from the stint holders whose sheep and cattle roamed the area, Dr. McCuaig and a few like-minded colleagues were able to rent a piece of land on which they established the Durham & Yorkshire Golf Club.

Bunting had the honour of scoring a "hole-in-one" on the Old Course at St Andrews which has been certificated by the Royal & Ancient Golf Club.

[15] In 1999 Mr Ron Trotter produced a pictorial history of the club to celebrate the 125th anniversary entitled "125 years of Golf at Seaton Carew 1874-1999".

[20] This led the club to call upon the services of course designer Dr. Alister MacKenzie, who went on to create such masterpieces as Augusta National and Cypress Point.

In the 1970s the construction of the a cooling water pipeline tunnel for a nearby power station provided the club with a financial windfall and four new holes were added, under the direction of another great golf architect Frank Pennink.

Always on the look out for innovations in golf course management, in 2012 Seaton Carew began renovation of all of its south facing bunkers using the "EnviroBunker" methods and materials.

Though some have remarked disparagingly with regard to its domination by a nearby large nuclear power station, along with other industrial plants that encroach on the inland side and the normal wildness of the links view; in fact these distractions are distant and add in a funny way to the character of the experience, which is one of outstanding championship 'running' golf.

"[23] Many famous golfers have played Seaton Carew's links over the years, this includes the Great Triumvirate Harry Vardon,[24] J. H. Taylor, and James Braid.

HRH Edward, Prince of Wales, played at Seaton Carew in 1930, and later that decade Walter Hagen and Joe Kirkwood stopped off during their tour of Europe.

Nick Faldo played at Seaton Carew in the club's Pro-Am in 1976 winning the professional tournament with a 69 (par 72) on the Old Course.

Contemporaries record that Kay was "a veritable demon on the green and extremely adept at laying a stymie and therefore as might be guessed was a very fine match player.

[44][45] Kay was himself a notable course designer; the Seaton Carew records show that he was charged with creating four additional holes which were opened on 4 August 1891.

[12] Shortly before his retirement Kay was helping his former assistant to chop up some old railway sleepers, for use as fuel in the clubhouse, when he got a wood splinter in his right thumb.

His funeral was attended by fellow professionals, Seaton Carew members and staff from the Club acted as pall bearers.

In the club's history books he recalls how in 1909 he remembered Kay bringing home the Leeds Cup and sitting it proudly on his sideboard.

Golf England's Brabazon Trophy was held at this Club in 1985 and the winner, Peter Baker, went on to Ryder Cup and European Tour success after sharing this amateur title with the North East's Roger Roper (Roper famously turned professional at the age of 50 in 2007 to compete on the Seniors Professional Tour.

[54] Seaton Carew Golf Club has hosted a number of national championships that attract top international amateur golfers.

The History of this Trophy was meticulously researched by Seaton Carew Golf Club Archivist Mr Edward Bunting in 2000.

[74] But following the 9 competitions a contemporaneous press report states that "a beautiful challenge cup" was presented to Mr R.T. Thompson at an inaugural dinner in the Seaton Hotel.

Sunday golf only began at Seaton Carew after the First World War so this was not even an attempt to disguise Mr Swettenham's absence from Church.

This was Matthew Gray's widow and she took a very active part in choosing the design of the trophy, manufactured Goldsmith & Silversmith Company Limited of London.

[82] Eventually a more classical design was finally agreed for the elegant 8th Gray Trophy that is still very much prized by the members of Seaton Carew Golf Club.

[93] His obituary in the Northern Daily Mail notes that "Mr Gray's liberality to the work-people and those dependent on them will long be remembered.

He was President of the Seaton Carew Golf Club from its commencement, and as our readers will know has long presented a challenge trophy which has been played for regularly".

[93] On occasions the Seaton Carew Golf Club was short of funds but its records show that its first President Gray was a considerable benefactor.

[94] Matthew Gray contracted pneumonia after a short illness and died suddenly on 16 June 1896 and pursuant with the property amendment act of 1859 his death was formally announced in the London Gazette on 20 November that year.