Bowood - Wilts

Region3

Region3

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I've been looking around for opens to play in just to play some different courses, but limited holiday left at work means ideally it wants to be a weekend.

Bowood is holding a 36 hole SFG event on 24/25 August which coincidentally is my club's comp free weekend that month.

Is the course worth spending brownie points and a weekend away on?

Thanks.
 
Bowood Bowl?

Yes, the course is very good. The comp is normally pretty competitive as Wiltshire don't have many scratch events.
 
Very nice course (and park). A few funky holes, but well worth the entry fee.

Was certainly recognised as the best course in Wiltshire, but that classification was some years ago.
 
Robobum said:
Bowood Bowl?

Yes, the course is very good. The comp is normally pretty competitive as Wiltshire don't have many scratch events.
Click to expand...

Yep, that's the one. I don't mind competitive as I'm after cheap rounds on a nice course rather than trying to win anything, but would it mean there's a ballot rather than first come first served? It doesn't say much on the website.
 
Region3 said:
Yep, that's the one. I don't mind competitive as I'm after cheap rounds on a nice course rather than trying to win anything, but would it mean there's a ballot rather than first come first served? It doesn't say much on the website.
Click to expand...

I am pretty sure it is balloted, but you should still be okay.
 
Region3 said:
I appreciate the input, but that's starting to look expensive if she comes with me in a posh hotel with expensive food and a spa!!

I was thinking more along the lines of a pub meal and Travelodge :D
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Hit Bath R3 - something for every pocket, only a 20min drive from the course and it's a cool place full of stuff to do.

Bowood's out in the sticks, we don't appreciate visitors round these parts ;)
 
It's a decent event but I hope you hit the ball a decent distance (at least average forum distance!) as it's played off the championship tees which makes it's a long slog. Last time I played in it (about 3 years ago) the greens were OK but had deteriorated from the time before, no idea what sort of condition it is in now. It's handicap order on the Saturday and leaderboard order on Sunday.
 
I play in this every single year, its the first one booked into the calendar.

Its certainly not balloted in fact they really struggle for players hence why the handicap limit has been increased from 7 to 9. However, if i am honest, i could really destroy a 9 handicapper that doesnt hit it very far.

reasons for lack of attendance are a) its too long for most people (7400yards off the blues) with a CSS regualrly up at 77, and b) the fact its over two days makes it hard for people to travel to it.

every year i have played i have received range balls both days and a course planner. The prizes (whilst heavily weighted towards gross) are well worth winning too. i won the nett 3 years ago and won one of the limited edition Taylormade 'Major' tour bags which equated to £320 in shop credit!

I would also still maintain that its the best course in Wiltshire.

In terms of sleeping somewhere, Swindon (where i live) is 30mins drive tops so i would think you could get room in one of the hotels very cheap.
 
Played Bowood last year with Imurg (part of my big Birthday pressie)

It is certainly a nice course, it was in good nick when we played it .

as for it being the best course in Wiltshire, ive only played one other and that is Castle Combe and I would say that Castle Combe is a nicer course, but that is just my opinion :)
 
Bowood was my first first membership Club before we moved to where we now live.

Long long and very long.
Academic these days in rainy summers, but it never suffered when we had dry summers as Capability Brown kindly landscaped a few lakes in the Estate grounds, so plenty of water available!
 
Region3 said:
I appreciate the input, but that's starting to look expensive if she comes with me in a posh hotel with expensive food and a spa!!

I was thinking more along the lines of a pub meal and Travelodge :D
Click to expand...

I was taking the mick! :D

That'd be my choice too, though I seem to remember going slightly further 'up-market' on a deal when I first played it on a weekend away (not the Bowl).
 
My nearest course. I'm sure for this competition it will be in tip top condition.
For accommodation try the Shaw Country hotel just outside Melksham: family run. Bowood 15/20 minutes. Lacock 10, Bath 25.
 
Region3 said:
I've been looking around for opens to play in just to play some different courses, but limited holiday left at work means ideally it wants to be a weekend.

Bowood is holding a 36 hole SFG event on 24/25 August which coincidentally is my club's comp free weekend that month.

Is the course worth spending brownie points and a weekend away on?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Good idea that one! Is it bank holiday weekend that weekend?

I see they have a comp on the Friday as well.

Should be back to 9 by then but at 7400 I am going to have a right struggle but might be good for a laugh. My mate hits the ball a fair distance off 7 so he should do ok.
 
Damn! I'd forgot about it being bank holiday weekend. My mates are on about going away for a few days but none of them could enter this.

Really wanted to as well after reading the last half a dozen comments about it.
I'm not up to forum yardages but I don't think I'm short either. Well.... I am short... but I don't hit the ball short :mad: I think.
 
Region3 said:
Damn! I'd forgot about it being bank holiday weekend. My mates are on about going away for a few days but none of them could enter this.

Really wanted to as well after reading the last half a dozen comments about it.
I'm not up to forum yardages but I don't think I'm short either. Well.... I am short... but I don't hit the ball short :mad: I think.
Click to expand...

My folks used to have a caravan near Abergele in Wales and they always seemed to have a festival week then. It's an ok track, not too difficult even if it blows as it's inland a bit so parklandy and may be an option for a group. It'd be about 2 hours travel and plenty of places to stay near there.
 
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