Tucky
No, I only played Alnmouth Village and Goswick prior to Warkworth. I am greatly encouraged to return to Northumberland and play Dunstanburgh Castle. I was meant to play it on this trip, but was washed out. While staying in charming Bamburgh (Victoria Hotel is very good) I stopped in at Seahouses and Bamburgh Castle. The holes on the seaside of Seahouses looked extremely promising...if it isn't too expensive I will try to play that back nine. Much of the front nine is across the road on flat land. Bamburgh Castle looked good though the land didn't seem as billowy as at Seahouses.
WARKWORTH TOUR CONT The opener takes us straight down to the lower part of the course in the form of a long drop shot short hole. Even downwind it took a driver to cover the 211 yards...it was cold! The best two holes come next. Moving slightly uphill, the 2nd plays over ornery land to a green tucked in a holler. The 2nd green and 3rd tee as seen from the 1st tee.
In this old photo we can see the 2nd green prior to the awkward expansion of the third tee. Things don't look much different today save for modern maintenance.
Many of the greens are boldly tilted and devoid of contour.
Not knowing anything about the course, the 3rd took me aback. The hole climbs sharply out of the holler over bumpy land.
I thought the hole turned a bit left and continued to climb, until cresting the rise. The hole actually legs hard right through a half-pipe fairway.
Climbing to a high part of the course and looking over the landscape, it was clear the exceptional golf was finished. The land is very flat and uninspiring for most of the last six holes, though there are a few highlights remaining.
Approach to the 4th.
5th tee shot!
Obligatory caravans on #6.
7 & 8 are in no way distinguished, but the 9th raised an eyebrow. There is OOB left and right and two bunkers blocking the path to the two tier green.
I was told that Warkworth is better than Alnmouth Village, this is patently not the case. Yet Warkworth is not without charm. The great 3rd hole, superb 2nd and thrilling drive at 5 may be just enough to tempt many from a day at the beach. 2018
Previous Stops on the 2017-18 Winter Tour.
North Berwick
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,59363.0.htmlAlnmouth Village
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,65709.0.htmlLittle Aston
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,38973.0.htmlWHO
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,61415.msg1460548.html#msg1460548RAC
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,65366.0.htmlSt Georges Hill
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,36130.0.htmlHuntercombe
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,32228.msg633321.html#msg633321Worcester
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,49998.msg1348691.html#msg1348691Planned stops: Epsom & Princes
Ciao