MickCTR
Medal Winner
Morning Chaps,
I organise most of the society days out for my company, and ever since I took over the planning of these events myself and my colleague/playing partner are constantly trying to improve on the last event to ensure that everyone has a fantastic time. The pursuit of golfing nirvana brought us to The Belfry or more notably The Brabazon for the first event of 2009!
I'll try to keep this brief as I could waffle on forever as we had such a great time. I'll start with the staff, everyone was so friendly and professional it made the whole process of organising the event an absolute doddle. Even on the day the staff in every area of the course could not have been better. Even the starter came out of his hut and had a bit of banter with us on the first tee. The whole feeling around the resort is so relaxed and made us all feel completely at home. A stark contrast to some of my local courses where the feeling is very uptight and the staff are really nothing short of pompous! If a world class course like the Belfry can be so relaxed then no course should have an excuse.
The pro shop was unbelievable, to give you an idea of what its like the very first words that passed my lips as I walked in were 'its like Meadowhall but for golfers'! I know where I am going the next time the missus says 'lets go shopping'
A quick account of the day then, we arrived bright and early at 8am, ready for a 10:40 tee off, we were greeted by 2 members of staff at the front desk who were expecting us and had prepared a bag with 16 free course planners, scorecards, bag tickets, range tokens (30 balls) and locker room codes. We were then treated to bacon rolls in the restaurant before going for a good scout around the pro shop (or heaven as i like to call it) and then to the range for a warm up. The driving range itself is really quite special too, it has its own smaller shop as well as fitting bays for all the big brands which look more like studios than the fitting bays that most of are used to! After sending a very tentative 30 balls up the driving range we then went to get ready for our big moment! The starter was great, as I said earlier he gave us a few course rules, calmed the nerves a little bit and joined us for a bit of friendly banter on the first tee. Then it was time to make real fools of ourselves. If only I'd had some idea what I was letting myself in for! I have my good and bad days like everyone else but as a rule I am a fairly solid 10 handicapper, this course made a monkey out of me. I intend to go back and show it who's boss but I get the feeling i'll end up licking my wounds again, however even playing like a numpty couldn't wipe the smile from my face! Everyone had the time of their life, I have never seen so many grown men grinning like school kids in my life. It made the effort of organising the day worthwhile. Anyway, I won't share my score but it wasn't good. I wil add though, my playing buddy drove the green at 10 (which has now made him unbearable) and I made easy work of the 18th which I was very very pleased with. What a hole that is, easily the best hole I have ever played in my 14 years of golfing! The course was something very special indeed, fairways like carpets, greens like snooker tables, and hazards everywhere. If you don't engage your brain fully this course will make you look foolish, as i discovered,
After the golf we were back in the restaurant for a 2 course meal which was again of exceptional quality, a quick presentation and then we dispersed.
I can't recommend this experience highly enough, and the whole day only cost £85. An absolute bargain and a trip I will be making again in the next few months!
So much for keeping it brief!
Here's us raring to go on the first!
I organise most of the society days out for my company, and ever since I took over the planning of these events myself and my colleague/playing partner are constantly trying to improve on the last event to ensure that everyone has a fantastic time. The pursuit of golfing nirvana brought us to The Belfry or more notably The Brabazon for the first event of 2009!
I'll try to keep this brief as I could waffle on forever as we had such a great time. I'll start with the staff, everyone was so friendly and professional it made the whole process of organising the event an absolute doddle. Even on the day the staff in every area of the course could not have been better. Even the starter came out of his hut and had a bit of banter with us on the first tee. The whole feeling around the resort is so relaxed and made us all feel completely at home. A stark contrast to some of my local courses where the feeling is very uptight and the staff are really nothing short of pompous! If a world class course like the Belfry can be so relaxed then no course should have an excuse.
The pro shop was unbelievable, to give you an idea of what its like the very first words that passed my lips as I walked in were 'its like Meadowhall but for golfers'! I know where I am going the next time the missus says 'lets go shopping'
A quick account of the day then, we arrived bright and early at 8am, ready for a 10:40 tee off, we were greeted by 2 members of staff at the front desk who were expecting us and had prepared a bag with 16 free course planners, scorecards, bag tickets, range tokens (30 balls) and locker room codes. We were then treated to bacon rolls in the restaurant before going for a good scout around the pro shop (or heaven as i like to call it) and then to the range for a warm up. The driving range itself is really quite special too, it has its own smaller shop as well as fitting bays for all the big brands which look more like studios than the fitting bays that most of are used to! After sending a very tentative 30 balls up the driving range we then went to get ready for our big moment! The starter was great, as I said earlier he gave us a few course rules, calmed the nerves a little bit and joined us for a bit of friendly banter on the first tee. Then it was time to make real fools of ourselves. If only I'd had some idea what I was letting myself in for! I have my good and bad days like everyone else but as a rule I am a fairly solid 10 handicapper, this course made a monkey out of me. I intend to go back and show it who's boss but I get the feeling i'll end up licking my wounds again, however even playing like a numpty couldn't wipe the smile from my face! Everyone had the time of their life, I have never seen so many grown men grinning like school kids in my life. It made the effort of organising the day worthwhile. Anyway, I won't share my score but it wasn't good. I wil add though, my playing buddy drove the green at 10 (which has now made him unbearable) and I made easy work of the 18th which I was very very pleased with. What a hole that is, easily the best hole I have ever played in my 14 years of golfing! The course was something very special indeed, fairways like carpets, greens like snooker tables, and hazards everywhere. If you don't engage your brain fully this course will make you look foolish, as i discovered,
After the golf we were back in the restaurant for a 2 course meal which was again of exceptional quality, a quick presentation and then we dispersed.
I can't recommend this experience highly enough, and the whole day only cost £85. An absolute bargain and a trip I will be making again in the next few months!
So much for keeping it brief!
Here's us raring to go on the first!