Mark
I would probably agree with your conclusion on the par 3s. None are outstanding though all have more about them than is supposed after a few looks. The 7th is the best, but I wish that bloody tree in the middle of the valley would be ripped out.
I would strongly disagree with your conclusion that the course is just ok. I think Beau Desert borders on being a great course and can hold its own with many of the heathland tracks of Berks. and Surrey. There is definitely an element of sameness about many holes:
1. Holes subtly uphill and against the wind.
2. Obscured targets because of green complexes and cross bunkers etc.
3. Difficult to read greens because of topography and subsidence.
4. Greens raised which make chipping difficult.
5. Most holes through tree lined corridors.
6. Nob to nob holes.
7. Downhill drives and uphill approaches.
8. Mini false front greens or gathering spots below a ridge.
However, the above qualities also mean the player can hit a wide variety of shots and must think his way round. I have never seen Beau overpowered. From the whites the course is 6300 yards, yet there are six holes over 400 yards long. However, several of the shorter par 4s play longer than longer par 4s. Neither par 5 is overly long. In fact, the 18th is only 480 yards, but it is still very difficult to hit this green in two even though it is severely downhill! There are also three par 4s which are driveable, but all carry significant risks in going for it. Two of these shorties have tricky approaches. In short, the course is quite a sporty little track, but tough without being brutal for the handicap player.
I have a much better understanding of Beau now after several plays and I greatly admire the course. All the trees have bothered me to some degree, but they were originally grown to hide the mining works which surrounded Cannock Chase. Beau sits at over 700 feet (the elevation change on the course is close to 150 feet, I think) and the land underneath was extensively mined. Hence the subsidence which created "unruly" greens. Hawtree was brought in to tame some greens in the mid-seventies. The club has never actually completed much of its plans to lift the subsided areas of the course and I doubt it will because subsidence can continue for many years to come.
I also think the routing is superb. If one were to walk a line from the 2nd green to the the 11th green, a walk of maybe 350 yards, one will walk through a part of eight separate holes! Yet the course does not have anything like a side by side routing nor is there any feeling of the holes being squeezed into an insufficient area. Another very interesting point is that the club feels the indigenous soil is so acidic and natural grasses so fine (Tommy commented on how good the greens looked - no poa mixed in) that at regular intervals liming has to be done to just to keep grass cover.
All in all I think Beau is well worth playing and my only criticisms would be the playing corridors are very tight in summer when the ball runs like a stabbed rat. I am sure that in the old days the corridors were wider. Trees nearly always have a way of getting out of control. Secondly, the bunkering is very uneven. Some bunkers are great and others (especially those protecting the putting green immediately left of 18 green) are dire. This is more an aesthetics criticism as play wouldn't be effected much.
The club has just finished a little dormy house which I think is a good idea as the area is not particularly attractive anyway. This makes it quite convenient for the traveler to show up late afternoon, get a game and dinner and hit the hay. The rates are reasonable, £75 golf, b&b on Mon-Fri and £85 on the weekends.
Ciao
Sean