This is a condensed version of the original article written by Mike May. The complete article can be read at: http://back9blog.com/
One specific golf destination in the southwest of England worth putting on the top of your ‘bucket list’ is the group of six championship links golf courses known as the Atlantic Links. This grouping, marketed as a ‘trail destination,’ overlooks the confluence of the Atlantic Ocean and the Bristol Channel. The six courses are located in Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, plus all six are listed in Golf Monthly Magazine’s (U.K.) Top 100 in the U.K. & Ireland.
Burnham & Berrow
Since 1891, the sand hills and gorse that form the backbone of what is now the Burnham & Berrow Golf Club have stood the test of time. The presence of so many perfectly situated sand dunes, the panoramic views of the adjacent Parrett Estuary and Bristol Channel, the steady winds, and the tight lies are wonderful attributes of this championship links course.
The prevailing wind at Burnham & Berrow is often out of the southwest, off the Atlantic Ocean. The breeze is immediately a factor at the first hole, a bunkerless and treeless 380-yard uphill par four, usually played into the wind On a windy day at Burnham & Berrow, bogey golf is acceptable and applauded.
One of the special aspects of playing Burnham & Berrow is securing access to The Dormy House for overnight accommodations. The structure is a one-minute walk from the first tee and can house eight people in four twin-bed rooms. The rooms are clean, quiet, comfortable, and spacious, each with its own private bathroom. There is access to a TV lounge that serves as a common room for those staying at the Dormy House.
Royal North Devon
Often referred to as Westward Ho!, Royal North Devon is England’s oldest links course. It opened for play in 1864. Some refer to Royal North Devon as the St. Andrews of England or the cradle of English golf. Golf World has listed Royal North Devon on its list of 100 Golf Courses in the World.
When you play Royal North Devon, you are literally walking through golf history, dating back to Victorian England. A monument was built to honor five-time Open Golf champion J.H. Taylor and the role he played in the growth of the club.
Golfing great Harold Hilton made the comment more than 100 years ago that Royal North Devon was the number one competition golf course in England. The course remains high on all golfers’ opinion polls to this day.
It is worth noting that at Royal North Devon, sheep and horses are allowed to roam free on the golf course. A local rule allows relief from situations that involve those roaming mammals,
“A ball which lies in or touches heaped or liquid manure may be lifted without penalty, cleaned, and dropped.”
Now, that’s much appreciated relief!
The clubhouse is decorated like a golf museum, filled with a number of golf artifacts, trophies, and memorabilia, such as the golf clubs Taylor used to win his five Open Championships.
The only place in the United Kingdom with more historic golf memorabilia is at St. Andrews in Scotland. That’s why Royal North Devon is often referred to as the St. Andrews of the South. In a nutshell, Royal North Devon represents a blend of the present with the past.
Saunton Golf Club
A pastoral and peaceful place for people pursuing par is the best way to describe the golf experience at the Saunton Golf Club in north Devon. Golfers have access to a pair of 18-hole championship links layouts, Saunton East and West.
Both courses are built on the sand hills of the Braunton Burrows and the peaceful atmosphere is only interrupted by the sound of the nearby sea. As you look at both courses from various vantage points, the local terrain does not look like a golf course. Instead, it looks like a series of natural sand dunes which act as a natural buffer protecting the integrity of the nearby seashore from local erosion. Instead, in between the sand dunes lie the fairways of the Saunton Golf Club.
At Saunton, there are no sounds of nearby cars, buses, motorcycles, or airplanes; there are no homes on the golf course; and you are at one with Mother Nature from the moment you begin play until you finish on the 18th hole of either course. It’s worth noting that the 10th hole on both courses is ‘out in the country,’ so you don’t see the clubhouse again until you finish the home hole.
After playing golf at the Saunton Golf Club, you must do as the locals do, and enjoy dinner at Squire’s Fish Restaurant in nearby Braunton. This restaurant claims to have the finest fish & chips in the southwest of England.
The Saunton Sands Hotel, located adjacent to the club overlooks the spectacular sandy beach that stretches for miles. The views of the nearby sea and the beach from the pool area, the outdoor sitting areas, as well as, the restaurant make the Saunton Sands Hotel experience special.
Trevose Golf & Country Club
First impressions are so important in all aspects of life and that is especially true when you step on the first tee at the Trevose Golf & Country Club Golf, located close to the historic town of Padstow, in north Cornwall. From the first tee, one is presented with a clear view of the Trevose Head and the three quies, the three rocky formations that jut out above the surface of the nearby Atlantic Ocean. Golfers have enjoyed this view since 1925.
The Championship Course at Trevose, a brilliant 18-hole layout, was designed by the famous, Harry Colt.
As you play the Championship Course, which overlooks the Atlantic Ocean, try not to get too distracted by the golden sandy beaches and the dramatic seaside vistas of Constantine Bay. To say that the views are stunning is an understatement. The sound of crashing surf on the nearby shores, can be heard from any location on the course. Because Trevose is a true links course, the ever-changing winds will also give this course a different look every day.
With many affordable and comfortable on-site accommodation options, access to the Constantine restaurant, a full service bar, three resurfaced tennis courts, an outdoor heated pool, a covered driving range, access to seven beaches, and many coastal walking path opportunities, Trevose is one of Cornwall’s ideal stay-and-play golf destinations.
St. Enodoc Golf Club
The St. Enodoc Golf Club, located across the Camel Estuary in Rock, Cornwall, has all the characteristics of a true seaside links golf course, firm, consistent greens, undulating fairways, tight, uneven lies, difficult bunkers, blind shots, as well as, priceless seaside views of the River Camel estuary and the Atlantic Ocean.
Both of St. Enodoc’s two courses, the Church and the Holywell, were designed by James Braid and opened for play in 1890.
The Church course gets its name from the 11th Century St. Enodoc Church, which sits alongside the 11th fairway.
The clubhouse at St. Enodoc has also been recently refurbished in a more modern, English style, in time for its 125th anniversary celebrations. The clubhouse boasts a bright, airy lounge, restaurant and bar with a picture window overlooking the 18th green, plus an elegant terrace for al fresco dining in the summer.
One of the biggest compliments bestowed on St. Enodoc is that a several Open champions, James Braid, Henry Cotton, Jim Barnes and Tom Watson, have come to play the course
“It (the Church course) is a wonderful golf course,” says Watson. “It has lots of variety and beautiful views everywhere you look. It’s a great place to play golf.”
One of Braid’s most famous design features is the Himalaya bunker on the 6th hole. It is reputedly the tallest sand bunker in Europe. Avoid it at all costs!
When you reach the 18th tee of the Church Course, pause to admire the view before striking your tee shot. Without a doubt, Braid saved the best view for last.
St. Enodoc has been recognized by Golf Digest as the 99th best in the world. Golf Journal lists St. Enodoc as the 51st best course in Europe; and National Club Golfer declares St. Enodoc the 17th best golf course in Great Britain & Ireland.
Simply put, the six courses in Southwest England’s Atlantic Links make an irresistible golf destination.
Read the complete article at: http://back9blog.com/
