Fight Night: Pennard V St. Enodoc

[Sean_A]

I thought it appropriate to start Fight Night in 2007 with a match between two of Braid's brauniest courses.  I have a particular interest in these two courses because I believe they are among the best the UK has to offer, but are rarely viewed this way.

Pennard   St. Enodoc

1. 9          10: Neither hole is truly great and both are portents of things to come.  The difference between these these openers could be as slight as one heading toward the sea and the other not.

2. 8           10: Pennard's short hole is a goodun, but it runs up against perhaps the best hole at St. Enodoc - a grand par 4 with an all-world approach.

3. 9          10: Pennard is in trouble.  St. Enodoc's 3rd is a lovely hole which requires much thought off the tee.  For most a driver is far too much as the fairway literally runs into a lane.  The

4. 10         10: A very tough call because both holes are unusual.  Pennard's short par 5 which is nearly as wide as long is most stimulating.  However, Braid's use of the land to create the risk/reward 4th at St. Enodoc is ingenious.

5. 9           9: Both are holes are short par 3s and both are solid, but not terribly memorable.  

6. 10         10: Its difficult to believe that these two crackers are more or less equal.  The 6th at St E is famed for the Himalaya bunker, but I can see where the blind approach would get tiresome for members.  A lower, very narrow fairway should be built to create options and interest for this hole.  Pennard's 6th on the other hand is never tiresome.  Still, the giant Himalaya bunker is enough to call it a draw.

7. 10        9: Some may think that P's 7th would cause a staggering blow to StE, but I don't think so.  The 7th at StE has a wonderful green to give the hole interest.  However, P's 7th is all around a better hole with a more interesting green which could fairly be described as wild.  Plus, the two centreline bunkers are out of this world.

8. 10         9: Neither hole is superb, but one knock against StE's is the lack of ground game options when the wind is at your back.  It is nigh on impossible to stop the ball on the sand surrounded par 3.  The tip in favour of Pennard is the green.  A false front, with a bowl on the left and a plateau on the right - great stuff.

9. 10         9: P's 9th is nothing short of great.  Wonderful green location on the dune and its tough!

10. 10        9:  I hate to vote against StE here because of the extraordinary par 4 which is really a par 5.  It is seriously flawed, but loveable all the same.  P's 10th is textbook use of rugged land and once again, the shelf green makes the difference.

11. 10       8: After several holes of steady aggression, P's 11th calls for a standing 8 count.  Very few people mention this hole when talking about Pennard, but it could be the best hole on the course - it is certainly the best of a good set of one shotters.

12. 9        10: StE strikes back with this crafty par 4.  I love the illusion of a dogleg the hedge creates.  Plus, the green is a cracker.  P's is also a crafty with the newly created wide fairway which leads ball into the Pill.  

13. 10       8: This may be a personal bias, but I don't like the 13th at StE.  Its a sloglike drive to an uninteresting green - blah!  P's hole is a wonderful nob to nob jobbie.

14. 10       10: Two very cool short par 4s.  The approach to StE's is remarkable for its finickiness - this is one hole that is often overlooked.  However, Pennard's skyline approach is daring, even with a wedge in hand.

15. 9        10: Another matchup of one shotters.  I give the nod to StE because I like how hidden cross winds affect the tee shot.  

16. 10       9: Another very tough one to call.  Both holes are reachable par 5s over wild land and in a beautiful spot.  I give the edge to P because the green is harshly sloping thing which is very difficult to approach or two putt.  

17. 9       10: I think StE's long par 17th is a great hole.  Its no nonsense pick a club, and try to figure out where to land the ball.  P's 17th is growing on me, but jeepers the drive always puckers my butt a bit.  Maybe in a year I will think differently and give the nod to P.

18. 9       10: Yet another tight call.  Both are good finishers, but I like the idea of a semi-blind approach after a downhill drive.  

I have the card 171 Pennard, St Enodoc 170.  This surprises me because I went in thinking St. Enodoc the better course.  This of course could still be true, but it is a very close run affair.

Ciao

[Bill_McBride]

Was there much work for the cut man?

[tlavin]

Every hole on each course is a "9" or a "10"?  I gotta get my fat ass to the UK.  I could measure plenty of progress in pints on courses that good!

[Bill_McBride]

Every hole on each course is a "9" or a "10"?  I gotta get my fat ass to the UK.  I could measure plenty of progress in pints on courses that good!

Terry, I think Sean was using boxing-type scoring there with each hole a "round."  There were a couple of 8's, somebody probably got knocked down!

But he's right, there is so much absolutely wonderful and yet low-key golf in the UK that it is amazing.  I look forward to every visit with keen anticipation.  

[Noel Freeman]

#4 at St. Enodoc is a unique green especially when you consider the stonewall and the way the green sits which if you decide to go for it makes you really find that front bunker a nice spot to visit.  The green slope is also terrific for funneling the ball.  I have no ill will towards Pennard #4 but I wouldnt 10/10 that hole.. I'd give the edge to Enodoc.

As per #17, unless that ramp is off the fairway to let a drive find that artificial landing strip you can't give it a 9..  A good drive can't even hold that fairway unless it is wet.  #17 at Enodoc is an all world par 3, perfectly nestled in the dunes with the wind off the estuary..  The green has a perfect little nook in it to slide a mid iron to a back hole location that Russell Talley pointed out to me.  If you are wrong there is a tiny saddle or low spot that won't let an approach run.

And you think the 1st is not great at St. Enodoc- two blind shots over huge dunes and heaving terrain and after that you are left with this inspiration-- that isnt gr8.  Surely, you joke Mr. Arble.  I prefer Enodoc but that is just me, by a little bit more than a whisker..

[Ed Tilley]

Sean,

What a great topic. However, were you the judge at the first Lewis v Holyfield fight that gave it to Holyfield? I can only think so after some of your scoring.

Pennard would lose each of the first 3 holes 10-8. They're just not in the same class. Plus, the 4th at St.Enodoc is a great risk / reward hole and certainly beats the 4th at Pennard. That puts Pennard 7 points down and there's no way back from there, even allowing for your generosity to Pennard in the last 3 holes.

Both great courses but any scoring system that puts Pennard on top would be flawed. St. Enodoc kicks a**.

Ed

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

I have not played Sean's home away from home but I say St Enodoc in a 2nd round knockout. I really love that course. We will rope a dope him in the first round so he can think he is in a match before laying the timber to Pennard.

[Ed Tilley]

I have not played Sean's home away from home but I say St Enodoc in a 2nd round knockout. I really love that course. We will rope a dope him in the first round so he can think he is in a match before laying the timber to Pennard.

That's true Tiger - no way Pennard gets up from the beating it takes in the first few holes.

[Noel Freeman]

#4 at St. Enodoc is a unique green especially when you consider the stonewall and the way the green sits which if you decide to go for it makes you really find that front bunker a nice spot to visit.  The green slope is also terrific for funneling the ball.  I have no ill will towards Pennard #4 but I wouldnt 10/10 that hole.. I'd give the edge to Enodoc.

As per #17, unless that ramp is off the fairway to let a drive find that artificial landing strip you can't give it a 9..  A good drive can't even hold that fairway unless it is wet.  #17 at Enodoc is an all world par 3, perfectly nestled in the dunes with the wind off the estuary..  The green has a perfect little nook in it to slide a mid iron to a back hole location that Russell Talley pointed out to me.  If you are wrong there is a tiny saddle or low spot that won't let an approach run.

And you think the 1st is not great at St. Enodoc- two blind shots over huge dunes and heaving terrain and after that you are left with this inspiration-- that isnt gr8.  Surely, you joke Mr. Arble.  I prefer Enodoc but that is just me, by a little bit more than a whisker..

Tuco

I am not surprised you prefer StE, though I can't see how there is anything but a gnat's cock between them.  You need to get more particular to illustrate your point.  None of the holes you highlighted did I give to Pennard.  Besides, the 17th at Pennard can be held, but you need to hit a draw or take the driver out of your hand.  It ain't easy, but it can be done.  

The only holes I see being a wash either way are 2, 11 & 13.  Pennard takes two of these which makes all the difference.  

BTW Tuco, Did you mishit your drive or was the wind up?

Ciao

It doesnt matter Sean, I prefer Deal to all 3!

My point was Enodoc would win those holes 10-8 under your system...

I was hitting my 3rd on that shot... was into a 20mph wind... so i couldnt get closer in 2...was only 120 yards or so from there...

[Noel Freeman]

Okay Sean-  Someone has to say bullmalarky on your Pennard Magical Mystery Tour.  I'm sorry, we may be both particular to our home courses but your impassioned pleas on behalf of Pennard doth protest too much.

And I may add, I love St. Enodoc, co-wrote an article on it with Russell Talley and have visited twice including a wonderful day out there with Paul Turner.  I've been to all three with Russell Talley and discussed it.

Pennard is wild and woolly golf in an early 20th century setting.  The elements, the crazy terrain all may it an adventure.  But to me it lacks any strategic sophistication, it is almost rudimentary in that you are playing severe, unkept terrain where the main shot value is hoping the conditions are okay enough that you can control your shots.  While there are some terrific greens-- the 7th is all-worldly, they cannot compare to what is at Deal or St. Enodoc.  The bunkering as a whole is non-descript (this is not so important in the grand scheme of a great experience but still a weakness).

St. Enodoc is indeed a magical place.  While I feel the course falters a bit around the "parish holes" there is some heroic golf to be played here especially b/t 1-6 and 16-18.  A few comments, I find the 5th a wonderful par 3-- it is not Braid but Tom Simpson and has a putting surface that is extremely pitched and slippery.  You do not give it enough credit.  The terrain on holes 1-3, 16-18 is as wonderful as you will see at Ballybunion, Lahinch or any Irish links.  It is of a much more dunesy nature than Pennard.  As a set of green complexes and with good but not terrific bunkering, it gets the nod for me as a superior course.  The setting, the historic remanants of the church all match Pennard and given Braid's authorship, the two share much in common.

So why do I prefer Deal??  It is simply a classic and mighty links.  And orthodox but yet quirky.  There is not one indifferent shot at Deal.   Not one and even if a shot may be regarded as prosaic, the next one is not.  Every green complex from 1-18 is contoured and a challenge to putt.  I know of few courses that have better green that Deal.   Almost all of the fairways are lumpy, driving is at a premium in order to score.  Quirk like Enodoc/Pennard, how about holes like 3,6,15,16,17??  History- the pill box from WWII on the right on #16-- Ocean views--well Deal loses but you can see the white cliffs of Ramsgate from tee boxes.

Deal has it all.. An Open can be held here and has.
Great short par 4--the 6th or the 10th
Great par 3- the 4th
Great par 5- the 3rd or the 16th
Great long par 4- take your pick, 12th, 15th
Terrific links golf greens--1,3,4,6,7,10,12,13,15,16,17

There is a reason  Sir Peter Allen said he would play his last round there..

[Brad Tufts]

I like these things...I'm considering doing one with Essex facing off against Myopia...H.C. Leeds V his inner demons...

[Tommy Williamsen]

Sean, if I am remembering correctly, when I was at St. Enodoc last spring they were doing some work on 13.  Is it the hole that goes up a hill and doglegs right?  If that is it I wonder what it is like after the work they did.