Sean,
Burnham doesn't really have much in the way of dull moments. Only really 11 and the approach to 10. Whereas for mine St E has 4-5
genuinely poor holes that are out of place on a GB&I Top 50 course.
Burnham also has better green sites with more fun to be had working the ball off shaping. The likes of 2, 3, 5, 12, 13, 14, 15
and 16 are all spectacular.
Burnham also has more variety in my eyes, not just in length and shape but in the land. The flat ground section from 6-8 really
adds to the course, where I am not sure the holes out on the lesser land at St E contribute all that much.
To match them (B&B first, St E second):
1 v 14 - B&B - B 1up
2 v 2 - B&B - B 2up
3 v 3 - B&B - B 3up
4 v 16 - StE - B 2up
5 v 5 - half - B 2up
6 v 12 - StE - B 1up
7 v 13 - B&B - B 2up
8 v 10 - B&B - B 3up
9 v 8 - B&B - B 4up
10 v 7 - StE - B 3up
11 v 9 - StE - B 2up
12 v 6 - StE - B 1up
13 v 1 - StE - AS
14 v 11 - B&B - B 1up
15 v 4 - B&B - B 2up
16 v 17 - Half - B 2up
17 v 15 - B&B - B 3up
18 v 18 - StE - B 2up
Scott
Its interesting that you choose Burnham's 11th as a poor hole when I think it one of my favourites on the course - the green site is outta this world simple and fantastic. I would disagree about comments of variety and green sites. St E is all over the place with greens, although many are contoured in the same sort of manner.
I will use your matchups
1 V 14 AS: not really good holes to compare as one opens a course and one transitions the course from farmland to good golf country. I am sucker for average land being used to goo purpose so I rate 14 at St Enodoc highly, but Burnham's opener is one of the best in the business.
2 V 2 AS: Burnham's green is maybe too obvious, but I like the humpty bumpty nature of the fairway St Enodoc requires a well placed drive to gain a good view/angle of a good green site.
3 V 3 St E: I like the use of the road at St E. If Burnham's 3rd green was quicker I may change my mind, but these days its difficult to 3 putt. Tough call here.
4 V 16 St E: 1 up: With the old green St E wins this matchup, but now that the green is outta reach its a real downer for me. I like how B&B's 4gth requires the golfer to go in search of the drive and the approach if going for it is fun.
5 V 5 St E 1 up: Both are very good par 3s.
6 V 12 AS: Both are good and tricky par 4s with excellent greens. Though I think the added yards at B&B puts a premium on the quality of the green.
7 V 13 B&B 1 up: No brainer as St E's 13th is a dreadful hole.
8 V 10 AS: I like both holes a lot, but St E's 10th is a perfect example of why the concept of par is a load of rubbish. All courses need controversy and St E's 10th is that and more.
9 V 8 B&B 1 up: I am not a big fan of St E's 8th as there is nowhere to go when playing downwind. The 9th at B&B is pretty, but comnfortably the easiest of the par 3s on the course.
10 V 7 AS: I like St E's green better and that makes all the difference here.
11 V 9 B&B 1 up: Like the 7th, Burnham's 11th is an unsung hole with a beautiful green flowing out of the fairway. Once again, i think the added length for the approach at Burnham stands it in good stead to make the green stand out.
12 V 6 AS: I like Burnhams 12th a lot, but St Enodoc's 6th is an epic.
13 V 1 AS: The opener for St E is solid with a good green on the end. However, after countless plays I still don't know what to do at Burnham's 13th so that frustration level it causes makes me respect the hole immensely. Plus, the green looks like nothing (see #s 6 & 7) and yet its tough as nails to figure out the break.
14 V 11 St E 1 up: Burnham should win this matchup as it has the topography, but a poorly designed green surround really bangs on the quality of the green.
15 V 4 St E 1 up: The 4th at St E provides what Burnham is desperately missing, a drivable par 4. Not only that, but poor land was used in creating this wonder. However, B&B's 15th is a classic links hole rumbling over great land to a superb green.
16 V 17 AS: St E's par 3 is lovely, but the 16th at Burnham is a cracking drive and pitch hole (not many good ones about) with lots of choices at hand.
17 V 15 B&B 1 up: For me, St E's 15th is too similar to the 5th even though its a good hole.
18 V 18 B&B 1 up: Burnhams 18th tops off a superb finish to the course, but it may be a tad too difficult as an 18th for my taste. I like the fallaway green. Most of all, I like how the drive calls for a draw and often times the approach calls for a fade. St E's looks hard and plays much easier as the fairway collects drives. The short approach is difficult though.
I am not surprised to find B&B win this sort of matchup as there are virtually no weak areas to the course - its solid 1-18 - B&B can stand up to most well known courses with this sort of comparison (as would many championship courses). Whereas St E has more ups, but more downs - its erratic. I would also mention that St E's routing allows for much more varied wind compared to the out n' back Burnham. This likely lends to the solid V erratic comparison.
Ciao