Southerndown Pics

[Paul_Turner]

When I played Southerndown in Wales, I thought it was a good, solid course but not quite as good as I'd hoped.  But these photos are much more striking than I remember on the grey day I visited. (Jeroen's Photos)


Slightly side on, at the 2nd


Approach at 2nd


Approach at 4th


Short 5th-looks like it has tumour or some weird growth!


Short 10th

[JakaB]

Paul,

The course looks just perfect to me in the pics...I was wondering what was not as good as you'd hoped...and what or who formed these false hopes.

[Paul Turner]

Jaka B

I know, these photos make the course look out of this world, but not all the holes are quite as striking; they don't all have those small scale hummocky fairways (relying more on bunkers) and the course felt somewhat nondescript in places.  Still good though, and I remember thinking that holes 2,17 and 18 were really top notch.  Wish I had a photo of the great 18th to show you.

I worked in Wales for a couple of years and the course has a big reputation locally, so I had high very high expectations.  The course was in pretty bad shape when we played there even by UK standards but it looks much,much better here.

I want to get back and check it out again!

PS
I had also played Pennard the day before for the first time which is so spectacular it's was difficult to follow.

[Jeroen_Pit]

I thought Southerndown was very special. The first few holes are stunning especially in the early morning light (8 am). Unfortunately my camera broke down after the 5th so no more pictures of Southerndown and Royal Porthcawl which I played in the afternoon. The 18th with its double fairway is indeed a great hole.

[Paul Turner]

Jeroen

I'm glad to hear it.  Which other holes did you like in particular?  I remember thinking 9 was super-interesting cross bunkers.

[RJ_Daley]

An honest question, not trying to be a smart alec.  The picture of short #5 with the scab like turf growth and the forground turf area looks more like it was grazed rather than mowed.  Is that turf indeed grazing ground for sheep or cattle? I can' t imagine how a superintendent could get in the area of that scabby ground to trim the grasses.  Could any of our supers on GCA comment how they would go about trimming the turf there to about 1.5-2 inches?

[RJ_Daley]

Never mind, upon re-examining the pictures and drooling over the look of it, I finally noticed an old girl friend of mine out there in the pasture.  I guess that answers that!

[Paul Turner]

RJ

Yes Flossy misses you  

You've also solved the problem with how to maintain tricky mounds-sheep!

[Fred_C.]

Paul.

Thanks for the pics!  Will you be posting pics. of Pennard? My only golfing experience in Wales was up at R. St. David's.  How do these courses compare?

Yours,

FJC