I had the chance to visit Wales again this weekend and played Ashburnham today. It had been quite some time since my last visit and my memory let me down badly. I didn't recall just how tight the course is with its combination of oob and rough. For the most part, these tight holes on the front weren't my cup of tea. However, in contrast to Pennard, the greens were in good nick - just a hair off perfect really.
After a par 3 opener which doesn't hold much interest, the 2nd kicks off the mean streak of oob. I didn't care for the look of the hole and opted to play up the 17th instead. The approach is better from the 17th and oob is taken out of play. The hole doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Here is the angle of approach coming from the 17th.
I think the club really missed a trick on the 3rd. Its a drivable par 4, but there is no point in taking a risk in hitting into the narrow part of the fairway because there is a large cross bunker protecting the green. This is a real waste of prime golfing terrain.
The 4th uses the combo of bunkering and oob very well. One can be aggressive and try to fly the bunkers, shape the ball to the fairway or layup. The successful aggressive player is rewarded with a relatively easy pitch to the green.
The 5th is a short par 5. For some reason, the par 5s seem to have more room to open the shoulders than the par 4s. Still, oob is only 5 yards or so from the right side of the fairway. This is the second shot.
Upon closer inspection the carry over the bunker isn't as easy as it would seem. I really enjoy this sort of deception.
I thought the 6th was the 2nd best hole on the front side. Though I don't care for hidden Mac-Raynor bunker low right. I think it is fairly new and not at all necessary.
The 7th is another short par 4. It is very narrow which essentially unbalances the hole away from being aggressive as the risk far outweighs the reward. Once again, an opportunity lost for a really interesting hole. Ashburnham improves dramatically starting with the moderate length par 5 8th. Its a sweeping dogleg right that requires a long shot over nasty rough if one hopes to reach in two. Here is a look at the green after a poor layup on the right.
For my money, #9 is the best hole on the course. Its a corker. The entire hole spreading to the left can be seen here. The hole begs the golfer to take it inside the big bush. However, this is not the best play as the angle of approach is more difficult from the left side of the fairway.
From the right side one doesn't have to hit over bunkers and the entire length of the green is on offer. This photo also gives some idea of how harsh the rough is. I found ONE ball in this stuff all day. Honestly, its just stupid.
The course takes a breather on the 10th, a reachable par 5. The 11th is a blind tee shot with a funky break in the fairway. Because of the terrain the back nine holds more interest. The 12th is a neat legger to the right with a blind drive. One wants to stay well left to get a view of the green. The cool thing is the flat part of the fairway with the good angle is right by harsh rough. Even after a layup which leaves an obscured view of the green requires only a lofted club.
The fun continues on the 13th, a short par 3 that would be a bear with a serious tailwind.
14 is a very good par 5. Flat bellies can take it over a ridge and risk the rough, or one can layup and take the blind shot as the second. Below is the approach.
The 15th plays directly over the 14th. The green site area is very wierd. You suddenly go into a carved out jungle area. #16 is an odd looking hole from the tee, but there is nothing weird about the great views from here. The hole isn't a long one shotter, but it drops far enough to make club selection difficult. The 17th runs parallel to the 2nd. Its not an easy hole, but it isn't particularly interesting either.
The course finishes in grand style. It is difficult to pick a line out from tee on this dog leg to the left par 4. To the left is broken land with penal rough. The approach is straight up the hill. Its a lovely finish to the round.
The clubhouse isn't without appeal.
Despite my problems with a handful of holes, not least the rough, I like Ashburnham. Its not one of those courses I would call amongst my favourites, but I think it is a good filler course for a trip or worth a go if a few others in the area are not accessible. 2008
Ciao