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Ran Morrissett

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Sean Arble's course profile on Burnham & Berrow
« on: February 12, 2010, 06:52:24 AM »
We all have different tastes and preferences and one of the great things about life is that they are allowed to change. Leaving Australia in 2000, one of the saddest  :'( moments was waving good-bye to Hahn Premium, literally the perfect drop. Even the green bottle that it came in was a work of art. Back in North Carolina, there was little to do but muddle on and keep trying different brews. Finally, I was introduced to the fine products by the Leinenkugel family with their winter wheat ale in particular proving life isn't so grim after all. A dream come true would be to taste test Hahn Premium to Leinenkugel to see who comes out on top.

Similarly, I haven't been to the southwest of England in ten years, and thanks to Sean Arble's now posted In My Opinion piece Golfing the Warren, I would like to taste test Westward Ho! and Burnham & Berrow all over again. Always a long time fan of Westward Ho! (easily in my world top 50), the undeniable strength of Sean's words and photographs has me questioning why I have never been equally as fond of Burnham. In numeric format, Sean highlights six of Burnham's strengths and then takes us on a hole by hole tour of the course.

Certainly the prospect from the clubhouse window is one of the most enticing in golf with its broad view across the rumpled ground of the first and eighteenth ending in some tall dunes in the distance. The course gets off to a quick start and its finish is among the best anywhere. Apart from highlighting just how great some of these holes are, what Sean's piece does so well is diffuse concerns over the few holes on the front nine along the marsh and the stretch of holes heading home from 11-14. Somehow, my one round there didn't leave me confident as to how good those holes were. For instance, I wonder if the spine that feeds into the seventh green really functions well given that it falls over the softer turf?  Nonetheless, Sean rallies to the support of these hole and given how many times he has played the course, it would be a foolish man to argue with him.

Just like he did with his FABULOUS piece on Pennard, Sean's photography highlights the great ground contours and how the various architects incorporated them into the holes for over a century. Along with Alison, Colt was here and designed eight new holes as part of two plans that he drew up in 1913 and 1925. However, if you were inclined to nitpick, I think I might take issue that just because Colt went with all plateau greens for the one shot holes at Burnham, does that make them great as a collective set? The individual one shotters are each very good to even outstanding but to systematically take away the ground game from all of them on such a windy site seems a bit cruel and I wish a different solution had presented itself, at least at the new 14th (For instance, the open greens at 3rd and 6th at Sand Hills are the perfect foil to the elevated knob green at 13th and the tightly defined target at 17th.)

In a separate conversation with Sean, he makes the great point that Burnham & Berrow enjoys both 'whimsical moments' while still requiring stout hitting as defined in today's modern game and sums Burnham up in an email by writing that it 'is a wonderful course that gets better with intimacy.' Darwin is among the course's admirers and buried in the text is this excellent quote from him that Sean found: “It is the modern fashion to despise sandhills, but if you come to Burnham to scoff at them you will remain to pray - pray that the wind will not blow so strongly in your teeth that you cannot get over. These hills revive some of the ancient joys and sorrows of the gutty era, when you were quite simply and naturally pleased with yourself for having hit the ball far enough and high enough. I really do not think that there is any other course which on a windy day gives so much zest to life by its tee shots.” Yes, there have been plenty of changes here but there is no doubt that the course remains full of zest. Why more people don't fly into Bristol and make a trip of Burnham & Berrow, Westward Ho!, St. Enodoc, Saunton, Pennard, and Porthcawl, I'll never understand ( don't do what dummy did here and take a ferry from near Tenby to go see Old Head and Mt. Juliet  :P).

Along with Mark Rowlinson, no one knows this part of the world better than Sean and hopefully, we can all encourage him into doing a profile on Beau Desert or Kington one of these days. In the meanwhile, studying this Somerset gem is time most enjoyably spent.

Cheers,
« Last Edit: February 12, 2010, 08:16:05 PM by Ran Morrissett »

John Mayhugh

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Re: Sean Arble's course profile on Burnham & Berrow
« Reply #1 on: February 12, 2010, 08:54:19 AM »
Nicely done, Sean.

Only 216 days til the pre-Buda round that James Boon is arranging!

Tim Pitner

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Sean Arble's course profile on Burnham & Berrow
« Reply #2 on: February 12, 2010, 12:49:06 PM »
Leinenkugel?  Really? 

Ran, I'm afraid your credibility just took a hit. 

B&B sounds terrific--thanks Sean.

Phil McDade

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Sean Arble's course profile on Burnham & Berrow
« Reply #3 on: February 12, 2010, 03:04:45 PM »
Leinenkugel?  Really? 

Ran, I'm afraid your credibility just took a hit. 

B&B sounds terrific--thanks Sean.

There will be no mocking of Wisconsin beers while I am logged in.

Sean -- wonderful profile.

Mike Sweeney

Re: Sean Arble's course profile on Burnham & Berrow
« Reply #4 on: February 12, 2010, 07:03:57 PM »
Spectacular review. We all know Sean is opinionated, and those opinions brought out real content. Thanks

Mike Cirba

Re: Sean Arble's course profile on Burnham & Berrow
« Reply #5 on: February 13, 2010, 12:20:47 AM »
Sean,

would you agree that low-profile, lay-of-the-land greens arr woefully under-utilized and which are your favorites at B+B?

Sean_A

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Sean Arble's course profile on Burnham & Berrow
« Reply #6 on: February 13, 2010, 02:49:24 AM »
Sean,

would you agree that low-profile, lay-of-the-land greens arr woefully under-utilized and which are your favorites at B+B?

Mike

Yes, I do think grade level greens are terribly under-utilized and under-valued.  I like the entire set of greens at Burnham and I think they are well varied.  It is one of the blessings of a course built over time and with a guy like Colt as its main man.  While Colt was undoubtably a modern architect, many of his brightest moments are the reconstruction and add-ons because he was willing to be a lynch-pin between old and new styles rather than stamp a pure Colt style on one and all.  I couldn't pick a favourite, but I do admit to a twinkle coming to my eye when folks over-run the 18th while putting or chipping.  That green is taken by most as a flat and boring, but attitudes soon change after a 3 putt.

Ciao
« Last Edit: February 15, 2010, 05:43:44 PM by Sean Arble »
New plays planned for 2024: Nothing

James Boon

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Sean Arble's course profile on Burnham & Berrow
« Reply #7 on: February 13, 2010, 05:04:23 AM »
Sean,

Many thanks for a great essay about our beloved Burnham!

As I've said before, you really opened my eyes to the subtle genius of the spine on the seventh whilst I was stuck in the wetter ground off to the right! And so yes Ran, the spine does work, but then I'm biased I suppose  ;D Ran also raises an interesting point regarding the par 3s. Yes they are pretty much all to raised up greens which would appear to eliminate the ground game, but apart from the fifth, I think I've managed to play low runners (not always deliberately!) to the orther three, though the shot has to be just right!

The only hole so far that I've not really managed to get my head round is the thirteenth? Lay up off the tee or smash one past the bridlepath and then go for the green in two. So far I can't decide if there is a right or wrong answer for that conundrum as both ways have lead to a 4 or a 7 for me at times!

John M,

Just double checking if you will be joining us at Burnham pre Buda as I didn't have you on my list so far? Would be great if you are joining us and anyone else for that matter is also welcome...
http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,42628.0/

Cheers,

James
« Last Edit: March 05, 2010, 03:45:01 AM by James Boon »
2023 Highlights: Hollinwell, Brora, Parkstone, Cavendish, Hallamshire, Sandmoor, Moortown, Elie, Crail, St Andrews (Himalayas & Eden), Chantilly, M, Hardelot Les Pins

"It celebrates the unadulterated pleasure of being in a dialogue with nature while knocking a ball round on foot." Richard Pennell

Brett Morris

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Sean Arble's course profile on Burnham & Berrow
« Reply #8 on: February 13, 2010, 05:23:39 PM »
Wow.  Thanks Sean.



Stuart Hallett

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Re: Sean Arble's course profile on Burnham & Berrow
« Reply #9 on: February 14, 2010, 03:54:01 AM »
Bravo Sean !

It's hard work writing good essays and you've done an excellent job in depicting the charms of B&B. The course is unique and I think it will always be in the shadows of the sterotype classic British links, and that is probably good news IMO.
Reading the essay brought back so many good childhood memories of the Berrow dunes and my family links in Burnham. The golf course was a popular place for many family members and it's only now, some 30 years on, that I appreciate the quality of the golf course. It did however always have a feel good factor, that I now always look for on a golf course.

Keep up the good work & many thanks.   

Tony_Muldoon

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Sean Arble's course profile on Burnham & Berrow
« Reply #10 on: February 14, 2010, 05:07:59 AM »
Congrats Sean on a fine piece.  Not much to add except to say I have no idea why this course isn't in UK&I top 25, heck it isn't even in the Golf Week top 50!  I love the way it takes you out of the Dunes and then back in again in a smooth fashion. There's a lesson here as links courses that finish on the flatter ground end with a sense of anticlilmax, e.g. Portrush and to a lesser extent Lahinch. I think the routing is atypical of links golf; as the terrain means each hole gets viewed on it's own and not as part of a slog out and back. The drives offer all sorts of challenge and I particularly like the way the 1st, 4th and 10th offer different ways of putting doubt as to the line into your mind.

B&B has a character all it's own and a day there with Sean is a copmplete joy.
Let's make GCA grate again!

Eric Smith

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Sean Arble's course profile on Burnham & Berrow
« Reply #11 on: February 14, 2010, 01:06:07 PM »
Sean:

This is a very well written piece and I am completely thrilled to be able to play B&B this fall (thank you James Boon!).  When you write that "one can often feel cocooned amongst the dunes"...this sort of imagery puts a little grin on my face and along with your pics, like this one for example:



the tinge of disappointment in not getting up to see Birkdale on this trip quickly vanishes - just like that.  Bring on Burnham and Berrow!

This is going to be my very first links experience and after reading your write-up I went to scouring the Somerset coast from above via Google Earth, zooming in and out of the dunes.  This, along with the rest of the line-up for the Buda weekend (arranged by you) is without a doubt the most highly anticipated golf trip of my life...so I can't thank you enough for your part in giving me so much to look forward to.



Cheers!
« Last Edit: February 15, 2010, 05:38:12 AM by Eric Smith »

Michael Wharton-Palmer

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Sean Arble's course profile on Burnham & Berrow
« Reply #12 on: February 16, 2010, 09:14:22 AM »
Sean,
Iplayed my very first national golf tournament at Burham and Berrow...the Old Uniroyal/Millfield Boys under 16's..finished second behind David Ray....have loved the place ever since.
Such an unpretentious golf course, hidden over there in the Somerset wilderness, great layout, superb greens, probably the best putting suraces in the UK...up there with Hunstanton in that department.

Wonderful clubhouse sitting there on 18 green...what a great place...thanks for the reminder

Ian Andrew

Re: Sean Arble's course profile on Burnham & Berrow
« Reply #13 on: February 18, 2010, 08:28:54 AM »
I'm still working on Mr. Thompson about on a stop on the way out to Wales from London.
The course is a must see from your profile.

Thanks.

Sean_A

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Sean Arble's course profile on Burnham & Berrow
« Reply #14 on: February 23, 2010, 05:15:03 AM »
Sean:

This is a very well written piece and I am completely thrilled to be able to play B&B this fall (thank you James Boon!).  When you write that "one can often feel cocooned amongst the dunes"...this sort of imagery puts a little grin on my face and along with your pics, like this one for example:



the tinge of disappointment in not getting up to see Birkdale on this trip quickly vanishes - just like that.  Bring on Burnham and Berrow!

This is going to be my very first links experience and after reading your write-up I went to scouring the Somerset coast from above via Google Earth, zooming in and out of the dunes.  This, along with the rest of the line-up for the Buda weekend (arranged by you) is without a doubt the most highly anticipated golf trip of my life...so I can't thank you enough for your part in giving me so much to look forward to.



Cheers!

Eric

How is it that aerials always make the beach look fantastic? 


That aerial is probably very confusing to follow because the 9 hole Channel Course weaves in and out of the Championship Course. 

All - thanks for the kind words.  It is greatly appreciated.

Ciao
New plays planned for 2024: Nothing

Eric Smith

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Sean Arble's course profile on Burnham & Berrow
« Reply #15 on: February 28, 2010, 08:10:24 PM »
BUMP

Jim_Kennedy

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Sean Arble's course profile on Burnham & Berrow
« Reply #16 on: March 01, 2010, 08:45:21 PM »
Lazy, but I'm glad I woke up to read this review and clean the lenses of my glasses to ensure I had the best look at this gorgeous place!

It looks like a serious addition to that most important rating list, the "Courses you could happily play for the rest of your life."

Thanks
"I never beat a well man in my life" - Harry Vardon

Mark_Rowlinson

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Sean Arble's course profile on Burnham & Berrow
« Reply #17 on: March 03, 2010, 10:03:41 AM »
Brilliant, Sean. You deserve an award from some golfing or tourism body for all you are doing to promote British golf courses.

Tom MacWood

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Sean Arble's course profile on Burnham & Berrow
« Reply #18 on: March 04, 2010, 06:39:33 AM »
Wasn't B&B CH Alison's home course?

James Boon

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Re: Sean Arble's course profile on Burnham & Berrow
« Reply #19 on: March 05, 2010, 03:51:29 AM »
Wasn't B&B CH Alison's home course?

Tom,

Yes, CH Alison was a member at Burnham and he was also Captain of the club at some point (haven't got the history book to hand and dont recall the exact year?)

Cheers,

James
2023 Highlights: Hollinwell, Brora, Parkstone, Cavendish, Hallamshire, Sandmoor, Moortown, Elie, Crail, St Andrews (Himalayas & Eden), Chantilly, M, Hardelot Les Pins

"It celebrates the unadulterated pleasure of being in a dialogue with nature while knocking a ball round on foot." Richard Pennell

Mark Bourgeois

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Re: Sean Arble's course profile on Burnham & Berrow
« Reply #20 on: March 30, 2014, 04:47:35 PM »
From Sean's IMO on B&B:


The tee shot on ten.

Wait, what?
Charlotte. Daniel. Olivia. Josephine. Ana. Dylan. Madeleine. Catherine. Chase. Jesse. James. Grace. Emilie. Jack. Noah. Caroline. Jessica. Benjamin. Avielle. Allison.

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