Regularshaft
Newbie
From the moment we turned the corner on the private approach road to the clubhouse we knew we were in for a treat. I am not sure if it was the impressive array of rhododendron bushes that bordered this drive, but if first impressions go a long way to determining the quality of a course, then this was going to be a special day!
That first impression turned into a second impression, because the welcome we received was unusually warm and sincere for a club of this stature and frankly, without trying to overstate it, the staff were quite incredible. Could the golf course be as good?
The friendly welcome extended to the starter as we set off from an elevated tee which gave panoramic views of the 7th and 18th holes. The 1st hole was actually quite a gentle opener and with each of us achieving a par 4, we were lulled into a false sense of optimism. Even the second – a par 5 that disappeared down a large dip about 150 yards from the green, yielded 3 pars and we did feel we were on a roll. The long par 3 3rd soon put paid to that and thereafter the bogeys came thick and fast. Some great holes followed – the stroke index 1 7th leading back up to the clubhouse was probably the highlight of the first 9. We were playing off the white’s– the middle tier of the men’s tees – but we did have a look at some of the drives from the back which were nothing short of intimidating. Having said that, we always had the feeling that we could open our shoulders without fear of excessive “ball mooching†but the lushness of the fairways provided a great incentive to keep it out of the rough. Our round took place in the latter part of October but the condition of the course was nothing short of magnificent – particularly the fairways.
After an unhealthy sausage sandwich at the half-way hut, we commenced the back 9 with great anticipation and were not disappointed. The lakes which had previously provided a magnificent backdrop to the splendid views, featured strongly on the 13th and 14th holes - holes that could yield a birdie, or, a if you were slightly askew with your tee shots – a card wrecking double bogey. The long par 4 15th seemed to be the most difficult of the back 9 and we all wished that we had a further 25 yards on our drive in order to hit a mid iron into the green protected by astute bunkering. In no time at all we were teeing off towards the magnificent clubhouse from the elevated 18th – a splendid finishing hole with a green that slopes sharply from back to front and which everyone of us managed to three-putt! It was a frustrating end to a great days golf, but in no way detracted from our enjoyment.
To summarise, the course was tremendous, the clubhouse fabulous, the facilities first class and the reception and service unanimously voted the best we have ever received. It may be exclusive, but it is exclusivity with a difference – somehow we just have to return!
That first impression turned into a second impression, because the welcome we received was unusually warm and sincere for a club of this stature and frankly, without trying to overstate it, the staff were quite incredible. Could the golf course be as good?
The friendly welcome extended to the starter as we set off from an elevated tee which gave panoramic views of the 7th and 18th holes. The 1st hole was actually quite a gentle opener and with each of us achieving a par 4, we were lulled into a false sense of optimism. Even the second – a par 5 that disappeared down a large dip about 150 yards from the green, yielded 3 pars and we did feel we were on a roll. The long par 3 3rd soon put paid to that and thereafter the bogeys came thick and fast. Some great holes followed – the stroke index 1 7th leading back up to the clubhouse was probably the highlight of the first 9. We were playing off the white’s– the middle tier of the men’s tees – but we did have a look at some of the drives from the back which were nothing short of intimidating. Having said that, we always had the feeling that we could open our shoulders without fear of excessive “ball mooching†but the lushness of the fairways provided a great incentive to keep it out of the rough. Our round took place in the latter part of October but the condition of the course was nothing short of magnificent – particularly the fairways.
After an unhealthy sausage sandwich at the half-way hut, we commenced the back 9 with great anticipation and were not disappointed. The lakes which had previously provided a magnificent backdrop to the splendid views, featured strongly on the 13th and 14th holes - holes that could yield a birdie, or, a if you were slightly askew with your tee shots – a card wrecking double bogey. The long par 4 15th seemed to be the most difficult of the back 9 and we all wished that we had a further 25 yards on our drive in order to hit a mid iron into the green protected by astute bunkering. In no time at all we were teeing off towards the magnificent clubhouse from the elevated 18th – a splendid finishing hole with a green that slopes sharply from back to front and which everyone of us managed to three-putt! It was a frustrating end to a great days golf, but in no way detracted from our enjoyment.
To summarise, the course was tremendous, the clubhouse fabulous, the facilities first class and the reception and service unanimously voted the best we have ever received. It may be exclusive, but it is exclusivity with a difference – somehow we just have to return!
