Tom
Jeff obviously has a higher threshold of tolerance than myself. I defintely draw the line at balls going underground in cracks in the earth. Twice I had to play from this sort of lie just off a fairway. Golf is hard enough without having to purchase a spade iron. Its not merely a growth issue, there is something going on because there was a lot of moss and brown patches (the start of ferns?) mixed in with bare earth. The greens too were easily the worst I have seen so I obviously disagree with Jeff's memory of several years ago. But I think the greens will be fine...eventually. I am, though, very concerned about the fairways.
Moving forward, Tenby was in better nick than in 2014! I can't say the course was in good nick, acceptable is more accurate. Most folks cite 15-17 as a weak link. I noticed the club has cleared the trees in this area of the course over the tracks. Still, the long walk to and from these holes is not well rewarded. At best I think we can say there is one terrible hole (16), one okay hole (15) and one pretty good hole (17). On this recent trip (June 2023) I did notice some long walks between greens and tees that previously didn't annoy so much. With all that negativity, there can be little doubt there are serious highlights with the design which rewards the traveller who makes the time to stop in for a game.
Tenby is a town of great charm sitting on high ground, with two beaches, city walls, a lovely working harbour, Giltar Point off the beach, St Catherines Island and a bit further afield, holy Caldy Island. It is a town which is wholly turned over to tourism in the summer, but in the winter Tenby retains a locals atmsophere.
The course is one of the oldest in Wales, being founded in 1888. Not surprisingly Braid had a hand in the design, as did Ken Cotton (I suspect the newer three holes over the tracks are to his design). The terrain is absolutely wonderful, tumbling dunes mixed with level areas and all manner of interesting greens; a feature of Tenby I appreciate far more than previously. I spose most would call Tenby a classic holiday course, but the club has taken steps to be taken more seriously. Those measures begin on the 1st. Not only is there a conspicuously placed driving range hard left of the fairway, but some 35 yards have been added and the hole is now designated as a par 5. This is the first of four par changes which have altered the course par from 68 to 72 while adding some 400 yards to the daily tees. In any case, the opener is a good welcome to Tenby.
A good par over the flat, the 2nd is distinguished by its long, undulating green. Behind the green.
The difficulty level ramps up a few notches for 3 & 4, both demanding two shotters played over tumbling terrain. The 3rd is named after Dai Rees; captain of the GB Ryder Cup team for five matches. He did well to lead the team to a victory at Lindrick in 1957.
The fairway funnels balls behind this hummock.
The green is the opposite of the more gentle punchbowl 4th.
#4
The blind green is sparcely protected.
Looking back to the tee.
The 5th is a short par 4 which is reachable in the right conditions.
A lovely hole, the short 6th is much trickier than the 118 yards listed on the card suggests.
#s 7 & 8 run along the railway line; both are good holes without being outstanding. The eighth is a fierce hole whose approach inclines steadily upward to a large green wrapped around a dune. A long walk takes us to the 9th tee, the furthest point from the house. This hole used to be a par three; now there is an intense if modest length par 4 with its championship tee hard on the beach. The fairway is quite narrow with large hollows and bunkers left and right. In truth, the hole is too narrow and its hard to understand why.
The view from the tee is most pleasant.
The uphill green nestled between dunes runs diagonal to the line of play. Its a very difficult approach even with wedge in hand.
More to follow.
Ciao