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Sam Cooper

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Links from the Road thread
« on: July 22, 2021, 05:55:02 PM »
Dear all,


First time posting on here. I remember seeing a few of you talking about my trip playing every links golf course in Great Britain soon after I began (September 20).


I have just under 200 courses on my list, some a pretty tenuous definition of links golf. Since September, I've managed to play and photograph 108 of them - hoping to complete the list this year.


If it's of interest, I'll post my thoughts on here directly - I'd love to hear what you think of the various places.


Hayling Golf Club, Hampshire
Until then, I've just put together this short film on Hayling Golf Club, Hampshire. One that tends to go under the radar, but really impressed me. Greg Easton was James Bledge's right hand man at Deal until he took on the head job here about 3 years ago. For a summer links after a very wet spring, I thought it was excellent. Rough was long yet sparse, fairways firm and running. Clearly they've put a lot of work in over the last few years to manage all aspects of the course.


It was great to see a lot of the old strategy of the course still in place.


Let me know what you think of the film, and if it goes down well, I'll try to keep them coming.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5kVKcWNjok


Best,
Sam

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David_Tepper

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Re: Links from the Road thread
« Reply #1 on: July 22, 2021, 06:03:48 PM »
Sam -

Welcome and very glad to have you with us. I have been following your travels and really enjoyed your coverage of the courses in the Highlands, where I am fortunate to play yearly, Covid-travel permitting.

DT
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Sam Cooper

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Re: Links from the Road thread
« Reply #2 on: July 22, 2021, 06:10:41 PM »
Thank you David - really appreciate your kind words.


Love Highland golf - you're fortunate indeed to play up there. Harriet and I spent a lot of time looking at houses for sale in Dornoch, and still haven't ruled it out. One day we may never leave.


Such an underrated destination for golf, but perhaps that's part of the charm?



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David_Tepper

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Re: Links from the Road thread
« Reply #3 on: July 22, 2021, 10:31:52 PM »
Sam -

I just sent you a personal message.

DT
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Thomas Dai

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Re: Links from the Road thread
« Reply #4 on: July 23, 2021, 04:23:00 AM »
How's your self converted motorhome doing?
Was the reception from Clubs/courses favourable or snooty?


atb
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Tim Gallant

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Re: Links from the Road thread
« Reply #5 on: July 23, 2021, 10:22:10 AM »
Sam,


Welcome aboard and great video on Hayling! It's one I've circled to see in the next few months! Hopefully can compare notes then :)
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Tommy Williamsen

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Re: Links from the Road thread
« Reply #6 on: July 23, 2021, 10:44:50 AM »
Oh my gosh, Sam, that was so well done. Keep em coming.
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Where there is no love, put love; there you will find love.
St. John of the Cross

"Deep within your soul-space is a magnificent cathedral where you are sweet beyond telling." Rumi

James Reader

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Re: Links from the Road thread
« Reply #7 on: July 23, 2021, 01:33:00 PM »
Looks fabulous Sam.  I’m a sucker for a links with lots of heather!  Feels like the perfect combination of my two golfing loves - links and heathland.


My grandparents lived all their lives in Gosport, just across the harbour from Portsmouth.  I can’t believe that in all my visits to see them I never found the time to play Hayling.  Unfortunately I don’t have that reason to be down there any more but your video has convinced me that I’ll have to find another excuse.
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jeffwarne

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Re: Links from the Road thread
« Reply #8 on: July 24, 2021, 10:52:47 PM »
My assistant is from Portsmouth and still maintains residence there.
We make an annual November trip there and Hayling is always a highlight.
Easily walkable with intereresting perfect golf undulation but minimal overall elevation changes
So much good golf in England and the area between Portsmouth and Bournemouth has some delightful off the beaten path courses.

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"Let's slow the damned greens down a bit, not take the character out of them." Tom Doak
"Take their focus off the grass and put it squarely on interesting golf." Don Mahaffey

Clyde Johnson

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Re: Links from the Road thread
« Reply #9 on: July 25, 2021, 07:47:19 AM »
I'd be interested in seeing the full list of links courses, Sam, however tenuous some of them may be.
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David_Tepper

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Re: Links from the Road thread
« Reply #10 on: July 25, 2021, 10:23:42 AM »
Clyde J. and others:

You can follow Sam's travels and see his comments and pics on all the courses he has visited in his travels here:

https://sdcoopergolf.com/blogs/news

DT



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Sam Cooper

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Re: Links from the Road thread
« Reply #11 on: July 30, 2021, 02:12:45 PM »
Hi guys,


It looks like I've missed some of the comments in this thread - apologies, I'll look forward to catching up properly over the weekend!


In the meantime, I've just released a new film on Deal - a favourite of mine.


James Bledge is well known in these parts as a head greenkeeper who has improved the course's conditioning enormously over recent years. Far from manicured, just another course (like the previously featured Hayling) where they remember the essence of links golf and present a course that personifies it.


Hope you enjoy the film - keep your comments coming!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3tAaJ6fkQ0

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Tommy Williamsen

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Re: Links from the Road thread
« Reply #12 on: July 30, 2021, 02:28:31 PM »
I missed the boat the first time I was at Sandwich. I drove past Deal for an afternoon round at Rye. I still haven't played Deal. I'd go just for the fairways.
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Where there is no love, put love; there you will find love.
St. John of the Cross

"Deep within your soul-space is a magnificent cathedral where you are sweet beyond telling." Rumi

Michael Felton

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Re: Links from the Road thread
« Reply #13 on: July 30, 2021, 02:46:08 PM »
The Deal video is great - good choice of time of day to film it to really get the rolls and folds.
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John Crowley

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Re: Links from the Road thread
« Reply #14 on: July 30, 2021, 05:14:42 PM »
Quote from: Sam Cooper on July 30, 2021, 02:12:45 PM
Hi guys,


It looks like I've missed some of the comments in this thread - apologies, I'll look forward to catching up properly over the weekend!


In the meantime, I've just released a new film on Deal - a favourite of mine.











James Bledge is well known in these parts as a head greenkeeper who has improved the course's conditioning enormously over recent years. Far from manicured, just another course (like the previously featured Hayling) where they remember the essence of links golf and present a course that personifies it.


Hope you enjoy the film - keep your comments coming!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3tAaJ6fkQ0


Sam,
Fabulous film of Deal!
Makes me want to return.
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John Foley

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Re: Links from the Road thread
« Reply #15 on: July 30, 2021, 06:54:45 PM »
This is fantastic!!! Well done Sam and keep them coming.


Add SE England to the places to get to.
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Integrity in the moment of choice

Tommy Williamsen

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Re: Links from the Road thread
« Reply #16 on: August 02, 2021, 10:05:58 AM »
This deserves to be on the first page.
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Where there is no love, put love; there you will find love.
St. John of the Cross

"Deep within your soul-space is a magnificent cathedral where you are sweet beyond telling." Rumi

Ben Hollerbach

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Re: Links from the Road thread
« Reply #17 on: August 04, 2021, 12:17:47 PM »
Really enjoyed the film on Deal!


With St. George's just next door I know the odds are slimmer than slim that Deal would ever get a chance to host another Open Championship, but I have to wonder having not seen the course in person, could it?


Is the setup of the course accommodating enough for modern play and the hospitality requirements that come with the tournament?
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