SL Event 2 - Jun 09

Thanks to James, who organised it, i had the pleasure of seeing what the course is like yesterday and i would like to report its an excellent set up.

Driving range - Has around 30 bays, most with the automated ball feed system and plenty of targets to aim for. It on the left as you drive down the road.

9 hole course - Really great course, mostley par 3's with about 3 par 4's. This is the best kept 9 hole course i have played on in a long while

Pro Shop - Well stocked and very friendly

Main club house - Good food, good set up, with balcony overlooking first tee and 18th Green. Plus gives stunning views over the course.

18 hole course - This has to be one of the best in the area, even though its only 20 years old and being altered all the time. You are faced with a difficult start, with the first 5 holes having a stroke index of less than 10! Its a case of trying not to drop to many holes to start with. The 1st hole is a downhill par 4, around 370 yards long, hitting over a pond thats about 80 yards short of the green. Be careful, as straight after the pond is a ditch which you cannot see!

Every hole is different, none are what you would call back to back holes. The course is long and slightly hilly, but you do not notice this until you have played the first 9 holes.

It looks like they have added in about 5 new lakes / ponds in recent months, to enhance the course even further. The tenth has bunkers waiting to catch the short to medium drivers, 2 lakes to catch the long drivers, then, to keep you happy, a large pond that start on the right front edge of the green and loops all the way round the back of the green. You cannot see this from the fairway, so you have been warned!

If i was to rate this course out of 10, it would get at least a 9 in my eyes, the same with the club house and facilities.

I took a picture covering the 10th green and 17th green, which i will post later.

For a finishing hole, the 18th is a great hole. If you walk off with a par you have done very well, even a bogey 5 is a good score. From the tee, about 200 to clear a pond, then there are trees up the righthand side. A small ditch crosses the fairway with about 90 yards to go, to a green above you, which is well protected by bunkers. I think a few good cards might be ruined by this hole when we play it.

I would recommend you play the course before the event takes place, as nearly every hole has something about it!

Allan

If no one else want to, i'll share the cost with you James. got home from St Andrews about 2 am, so off to pick up trophies soon, will then sort out tee times.

Tee times published

Missing from the above list is Malcolm, who is playing.