The Hollows Of HUNTERCOMBE: 2023-24 Winter Tour

« **Reply #75 on:** August 04, 2011, 06:45:03 PM »

Quote from: Tony_Muldoon on August 04, 2011, 05:08:11 PM

Of course we will Bill but only after we've viisted Ireland.

I thnk that makes Huntercombe Buda XV?

So many courses, so little time.

And money these days!

« **Reply #76 on:** August 05, 2011, 09:20:23 AM »

Huntercombe would love to have the Buda business, I am sure!

Mark does make a good point re 2-ball course - as things stand, 4 balls only allowed after lunch on the weekend. I am not sure how much flexibility there would be on this point but I would be happy to make inquiries at the right moment.

I suppose one way to finesse it might be that Huntercombe be the base for both the foursomes rounds and/or the singles, with the four-balls played elsewhere. One thing in Huntercombe's favour is that it is an easy walk and on the short-side, so it is not especially daunting place to play 36 holes. I played a foursomes match and a two-ball round back to back last weekend in 5 hrs 50 minutes with a 30 min break in between.

« **Reply #77 on:** December 09, 2011, 02:08:49 PM »

Quote from: Philip Gawith on August 05, 2011, 09:20:23 AM

Huntercombe would love to have the Buda business, I am sure!

Mark does make a good point re 2-ball course - as things stand, 4 balls only allowed after lunch on the weekend. I am not sure how much flexibility there would be on this point but I would be happy to make inquiries at the right moment.

I suppose one way to finesse it might be that Huntercombe be the base for both the foursomes rounds and/or the singles, with the four-balls played elsewhere. One thing in Huntercombe's favour is that it is an easy walk and on the short-side, so it is not especially daunting place to play 36 holes. I played a foursomes match and a two-ball round back to back last weekend in 5 hrs 50 minutes with a 30 min break in between.

« **Reply #78 on:** December 09, 2011, 05:28:31 PM »

The offer still stands! It is for others to decide whether they would like it to be home for a Buda. Leaving the course aside, I think the character of the club would lend it to being a happy Event. And for our travelling brethren, 40 min from Heathrow is quite attractive!

« **Reply #79 on:** December 10, 2011, 12:46:33 PM »

Quote from: Sean Arble on November 25, 2007, 05:11:23 PM

The old routing used to start with the 1st in the lower left (now the 14th), a long par 4 doglegging left away from a house. The course now starts with a short par 3 in the upper right part of the map. The reader should note the many centre-line hazards which included hollows and bunkers. This type of strategic design which allowed for skirting the hazards on either side was unheard of for inland golf until the creation of Huntercombe and the beginnings of a re-design (1901) of Woking by Paton and Low.

Sean,

As ever thanks for the update. You appear to be having a very good winter tour so far!

Looking again at the plan of the course above, it appears that some of the large grassy hollows may have been bunkers at one time? I know this was discussed recently on another thread, and I personally prefer them as the rough grassy hollows that they are, but is it possible they were once bunkers? The way they are graphically represented in that plan makes it look like they were?

Cheers,

James

« **Reply #80 on:** December 10, 2011, 06:35:31 PM »

Deal worked because we played RStG on fourball day and one of the Deal days was a fourball day. The problem with two ball days as I found with Brancaster is getting tee times especially if you want to play singles at any stage.

« **Reply #81 on:** December 10, 2011, 06:58:26 PM »

The difference with Huntercombe might be that two regular BUDAites are members. The question, though, is where would be the second course? Oxforshire doesn't have the riches of Surrey or Berkshire.

« **Reply #82 on:** December 10, 2011, 08:12:32 PM »

How close would a second course need to be?

I don't think I can wait until Buda. Huntercombe sometime in 2012 for me.

« **Reply #83 on:** December 11, 2011, 05:03:45 AM »

Two walks in "Parks"?

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,37725.0.html

Had lunch in nearby Henly yesterday. That is one pricey area. I enquired in a ~~second hand~~ First Edition bookshop if they had anything on Golf. She pointed out two run of the mill Darwin’s on the shelves, £250 and £350, and asked if I would like to see a First Edition, 1908, of Golf Courses of GB&I?

I would, I did and I saved £1350 by not buying it.

« **Reply #84 on:** December 12, 2011, 02:49:58 AM »

Quote from: James Boon on December 10, 2011, 12:46:33 PM

Quote from: Sean Arble on November 25, 2007, 05:11:23 PM
The old routing used to start with the 1st in the lower left (now the 14th), a long par 4 doglegging left away from a house. The course now starts with a short par 3 in the upper right part of the map. The reader should note the many centre-line hazards which included hollows and bunkers. This type of strategic design which allowed for skirting the hazards on either side was unheard of for inland golf until the creation of Huntercombe and the beginnings of a re-design (1901) of Woking by Paton and Low.

Sean,

As ever thanks for the update. You appear to be having a very good winter tour so far!

Looking again at the plan of the course above, it appears that some of the large grassy hollows may have been bunkers at one time? I know this was discussed recently on another thread, and I personally prefer them as the rough grassy hollows that they are, but is it possible they were once bunkers? The way they are graphically represented in that plan makes it look like they were?

Cheers,

James

Boony

Yes, some key bunkers have been filled in. There were two on the 18th that are now gone - possibly to the detriment of the hole. I think the hollow short of #8 used to house a bunker - there is no shell-like grading on the green-side of the hole like many other hollows. There are a few more as well, but some bunkers have been added. I know the bunker scheme for #17 isn't quite original. The terrible bunker on the right of the 18th fairway isn't original. The club should seriously consider restoring some bunkers!

Isn't Buda only using one club this year? I don't see it as imperative that two clubs be used. In any case, two days Huntercombe and one blow-out day at Swinley would be hard to argue against.

Ciao

« **Reply #85 on:** December 12, 2011, 03:32:03 AM »

Sean,

A one club BUDA will work where it's easy to play fourballs. I suspect it would be more difficult where four balls are only possible occasionally or with special pleading. Google Maps has Huntercombe to Swinley as an hour. That's a pretty ugly drive, though, and I suspect you're looking at rather longer at the time of day we'd be wanting to make the drive in the morning. I guess you could base yourself in Reading or Maidenhead to ease things, I just wondered if there wasn't anywhere equally suitable closer of further from London.

« **Reply #86 on:** December 12, 2011, 03:39:33 AM »

Quote from: Mark Pearce on December 12, 2011, 03:32:03 AM

Sean,

A one club BUDA will work where it's easy to play fourballs. I suspect it would be more difficult where four balls are only possible occasionally or with special pleading. Google Maps has Huntercombe to Swinley as an hour. That's a pretty ugly drive, though, and I suspect you're looking at rather longer at the time of day we'd be wanting to make the drive in the morning. I guess you could base yourself in Reading or Maidenhead to ease things, I just wondered if there wasn't anywhere equally suitable closer of further from London.

Canary

The solution is simple - ditch 4balls. Singles, 4somes, Greensomes and Chapman are all games which can be played - no real need for 4balls. And finally, there is a good reason for singles rather than the very daft idea of two singles matches in one 4 ball (talk about the slowest format thinkable!). Also, I wasn't thinking of staying one one hotel with Huntercombe/Swinley (or wherever). I imagine if Swinley were last on the schedule guys would pack their bags and move on when heading for Swinley. It doesn't really matter much as things are breaking up after the last day anyway.

Ciao

« **Reply #87 on:** December 12, 2011, 09:18:57 AM »

Aren't four balls kosher in the afternoon at Huntercombe?

I agree on the issue of two concurrent singles matches in one four ball, that is slow

, but it's not always possible to get 12 tee times.

« **Reply #88 on:** December 12, 2011, 09:42:05 AM »

Quote from: Sean Arble on December 12, 2011, 03:39:33 AM

Quote from: Mark Pearce on December 12, 2011, 03:32:03 AM
Sean,

A one club BUDA will work where it's easy to play fourballs. I suspect it would be more difficult where four balls are only possible occasionally or with special pleading. Google Maps has Huntercombe to Swinley as an hour. That's a pretty ugly drive, though, and I suspect you're looking at rather longer at the time of day we'd be wanting to make the drive in the morning. I guess you could base yourself in Reading or Maidenhead to ease things, I just wondered if there wasn't anywhere equally suitable closer of further from London.

Canary

The solution is simple - ditch 4balls. Singles, 4somes, Greensomes and Chapman are all games which can be played - no real need for 4balls. And finally, there is a good reason for singles rather than the very daft idea of two singles matches in one 4 ball (talk about the slowest format thinkable!). Also, I wasn't thinking of staying one one hotel with Huntercombe/Swinley (or wherever). I imagine if Swinley were last on the schedule guys would pack their bags and move on when heading for Swinley. It doesn't really matter much as things are breaking up after the last day anyway.

Ciao

Sean - most guys don't want to have a steady diet of foresomes... after traveling over 3000 miles to get there it's nice to play your own ball round a course. And, while I would love to see our group visit Swinley, they wanted 160 quid in September! For that kind of money I'd rather play somewhere else... two or three times! I agree that a one hour drive is no big deal... we can relocate to new accommodations and make the drive in the evening after golf. Personally, I'd much rather travel at the end of the day rather than waste good daylight stuck in traffic! JMHO.

« **Reply #89 on:** December 12, 2011, 12:53:53 PM »

Quote from: Michael Whitaker on December 12, 2011, 09:42:05 AM

Quote from: Sean Arble on December 12, 2011, 03:39:33 AM
Quote from: Mark Pearce on December 12, 2011, 03:32:03 AM
Sean,

A one club BUDA will work where it's easy to play fourballs. I suspect it would be more difficult where four balls are only possible occasionally or with special pleading. Google Maps has Huntercombe to Swinley as an hour. That's a pretty ugly drive, though, and I suspect you're looking at rather longer at the time of day we'd be wanting to make the drive in the morning. I guess you could base yourself in Reading or Maidenhead to ease things, I just wondered if there wasn't anywhere equally suitable closer of further from London.

Canary

The solution is simple - ditch 4balls. Singles, 4somes, Greensomes and Chapman are all games which can be played - no real need for 4balls. And finally, there is a good reason for singles rather than the very daft idea of two singles matches in one 4 ball (talk about the slowest format thinkable!). Also, I wasn't thinking of staying one one hotel with Huntercombe/Swinley (or wherever). I imagine if Swinley were last on the schedule guys would pack their bags and move on when heading for Swinley. It doesn't really matter much as things are breaking up after the last day anyway.

Ciao

Sean - most guys don't want to have a steady diet of foresomes... after traveling over 3000 miles to get there it's nice to play your own ball round a course. And, while I would love to see our group visit Swinley, they wanted 160 quid in September! For that kind of money I'd rather play somewhere else... two or three times! I agree that a one hour drive is no big deal... we can relocate to new accommodations and make the drive in the evening after golf. Personally, I'd much rather travel at the end of the day rather than waste good daylight stuck in traffic! JMHO.

Whitty

Nobody is saying one can't play their own ball - its called singles and when playing at a 2 ball club that isn't an unreasonable expectation at least for one game of the day.

I agree with you, I shan't be playing Swinley for £100 let alone £150, but I just picked Swinley out of a crowd. Pick a course, it doesn't really matter which so long as it makes sense from a travel perspective.

I get it if guys don't want to play Huntercombe, but I don't buy that it isn't easily doable with very little inconvenience (none form my perspective) on the part of Pests. From my perspective, it is nearly always better to utilize a club which has GCA members than not because our chances of getting what we want are increased.

Ciao

« **Reply #90 on:** February 26, 2012, 04:37:11 PM »

« **Reply #91 on:** February 26, 2012, 05:43:15 PM »

Thanks Sean,

I like the look of the 1st now they've cleared out behind the green giving views into the distance. More inviting I would say, and probably sits better with the following hole, which has that great view off to the left all along its length.

Is that Mr Sheehy in the white trousers? Doesn't he know its February and only a nutter would wear such trousers at this time of year?

Cheers,

James

« **Reply #92 on:** February 27, 2012, 07:18:41 AM »

Just a quick one on getting singles slots - Huntercombe may be able to allow us to start at both the 1st & the 6th (and sometimes even the 12th) - it may be worth asking. That would have the added benefit of getting everyone back in at a more similar time.

The other course broadly in the area that might be of interest could be Beaconsfield (Colt).

« **Reply #93 on:** February 27, 2012, 07:30:42 AM »

If there was a Huntercombe BUDA then Beacosnfield wouldn't be a bad choice. Not least because it is, I believe, a link between Sir Bob Huntley and Luke Donald! Stoke Park (MacKenzie) is another possibility as is Denham (Colt). Most of the Berkshire heathland courses could also qualify, I suppose, though I, for one, would be in favour of somewhere not quite so frequently discussed here for the second course.

« **Reply #94 on:** March 01, 2012, 03:26:37 AM »

Quote from: James Boon on February 26, 2012, 05:43:15 PM

Thanks Sean,

I like the look of the 1st now they've cleared out behind the green giving views into the distance. More inviting I would say, and probably sits better with the following hole, which has that great view off to the left all along its length.

Is that Mr Sheehy in the white trousers? Doesn't he know its February and only a nutter would wear such trousers at this time of year?

Cheers,

James

The white troozers are Sheehy's litmus test for playable conditions in winter.

I still think Huntercombe would be a good Buda venue, but I suspect it will take a member to get the ball rolling with organization. I would be willing to get back in the fray of organizing with the support of a member. I am not sure there needs to be a second venue, but as I wrote before, if there is one it makes sense to make it heathland doozy. I don't see many folks from overseas getting too pumped for Beaconsfield, indeed I am guessing Huntercombe may be a tough sell because of the lack of eye candy.

Ciao

« **Reply #95 on:** March 01, 2012, 04:09:33 AM »

Sean,

I think you underestimate overseas BUDAites. Hankley and Liphook were hardly mainstream attractions but BUDA was very popular. Good numbers too promising to turn up to play 3 days in Cumbria later this year. Given the obvious love Huntercombe gets on here I suspect it wouldn't struggle to attract a good number for BUDA. Huntercombe is also one of the few UK courses that have the pleasure of two GCAers as members, so this should be a real possibility.

« **Reply #96 on:** March 01, 2012, 04:24:26 AM »

As a one-course Buda, I suspect Huntercombe would be a fascinating experience, seeing a variety of pins on the likes of 1-4, 8, 10, 12, 16 and 17.

« **Reply #97 on:** March 01, 2012, 04:39:43 AM »

Henley would make a good, if not cheep, base with good food and drink. I am not sure we would be able to do a one hotel base. It might be easier to pick a pub and arrange various B&B within walking distance.

A hotel might be easier and cheeper in Wallingford.

I think that the club would try to be flexible if we can get the right dates.

« **Reply #98 on:** March 01, 2012, 04:47:18 AM »

The variety of tees that can be used to start also creates the opportunity to start the field close together, finish closer together and have more off-course fellowship.

« **Reply #99 on:** March 01, 2012, 05:26:23 AM »

Quote from: Giles Payne on March 01, 2012, 04:39:43 AM

I think that the club would try to be flexible if we can get the right dates.

Cha ching. I suspect we could even get weekend dates. I have always found the club to be very friendly.

Concerning hotels, I can't help but think that Oxford is the place to stay. Its not terribly far and is an historical treat.

Ciao

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