[56] MARCH 2018 | SOUTH WEST
GOLFNEWS.CO.UK
THE BEST OF THE
WEST GOLF NEWS EDITOR NICK BAYLY, WHO WAS BORN IN CORNWALL, SCHOOLED IN DEVON AND GREW UP IN DORSET, GIVES HIS TOP TRACKS TO PLAY IN THE SOUTH WEST BEFORE YOU KICK THE BUCKET (AND SPADE)
ST ENODOC CORNWALL Overlooking the Camel Estuary and the famous fishing town of Padstow, you will be genuinely hard pushed to find a layout presented in better year round condition than St Enodoc’s Church Course. The 6,299-yard James Braid designed links winds its way around, through and over a series of majestic dunes. Wispy rough and deep bunkers are ready to gobble up any errant shots, while fastrunning fairways ensure that anything hit slightly off line will find trouble. Many would argue that there isn't sufficient length for St Enodoc to be considered a proper test, but, like any links course worth its salt, the weather that batters this exposed coastline can take any number and double it at the drop of a hat, while the par of 69 also mitigates against red figures. The signature hole is the 386-yard, par-four 6th, which features the famous Himalaya bunker, from which forward progress is almost impossible once entered into, although there are any number of other holes that will live long in the memory, most notably the brutal 10th, a devilish 458-yard par four that has but a ribbon of fairway and trouble either side. st-enodoc.co.uk, green fees: £45-£75
SAUNTON EAST DEVON If the Open Championship was ever to head to the south west, it is widely accepted that Saunton Golf Club’s East Course would be the R&A’s No.1 choice. This wonderful Herbert Fowler designed links, set on the North Devon coast, boasts a fine tournament history, having hosted
■ ST ENODOC
the Amateur Championship and Ladies Amateur, and, although it enjoys lofty status in all the Top 100 lists (between 30-40), it’s location has perhaps prevented it from gaining wider appreciation, and certainly from being considered as a potential Open venue. From the opening shot off the elevated tee on the 470-yard, par-four first, to the approach up the hill towards the clubhouse, the East provides 18 memorable holes. There are few tricks or gimmicks, just a number of testing holes that demand accurate, and occasionally long, ball striking. Even the shorter holes are a test. 'Tiddler', the aptly-named fifth, won’t roll over willingly should you err long, while the seemingly innocuous par-4 10th not only presents challenges beyond its raised green, but also short of it in the form of two bunkers. Throw in the equally entertaining West Course (see below), and you have two of the best links courses anywhere in the UK to make a great day’s golf. sauntongolf.co.uk, £60-£90
■ ST MELLION
ONE OF THE FINEST GOLF RESORTS IN THE UK, ST MELLION HAS PLAYED HOST TO NUMEROUS TOUR EVENTS SINCE OPENING IN 1976
BURNHAM & BERROW SOMERSET Burnham is the gateway to England’s Atlantic Links – a tantalising trail of the six premier links courses in the south
■ BURNHAM & BERROW
west. Set among towering sand dunes on the Bristol Channel coast, the 6,695-yard, par-71 Championship course presents a classic out-and-back test, with the front nine skirting the sand dunes and coastline northwards, while the back nine turns inland and southwards and then follows the coast road through Berrow, past the church and back into Burnham. It’s a challenging layout, with tumbling fairways laid out in narrow valleys, protected by deep bunkers and thick rough. The greens are small, fast and notoriously undulating, requiring precision approach shots to score well. The par threes are particularly memorable, while the 18th, a dogleg parfour, is one the strongest finishing holes you’ll ever come across. The course has recently benefitted from a major renovation programme, which has seen new raised tees installed on the sixth, ninth and 11th, which has not only extended the length of the course, but created spectacular panoramic views of the course and the north Atlantic coast. burnhamandberrowgolfclub.co.uk, £115
ST MELLION CORNWALL
■ SAUNTON EAST
One of the finest golf resorts in the UK, St Mellion has played host to numerous Tour events since opening in 1976, with Ballesteros, Olazabal and Langer all having triumphed here during their heydays. The Jack Nicklaus Signature Course didn’t open until 1988, but it is no doubt one of the Golden Bear’s best pieces of design work outside of the US, and quickly earned a high ranking in the Top 100 lists. An American-style layout, the course occupies a rolling stretch of Cornish countryside, and boasts manicured fairways and multi-tiered greens, with lots of other Nicklaus hallmark design elements. Accuracy is essential off the tee, and there are numerous well-placed