Ward, many congratulations to your friend! Saunton has always been one of the courses on GCA for which there seems to have been more respect than love: not entirely sure why, but Jim Finegan in his book on England and Wales says that in the end the course doesn't have enough great, as opposed to good, golf holes. Braunton Burrows is an amazing stretch of duneland, and Saunton East and West may well be one of the best 36-hole seaside complexes in the UK, only a notch below (e.g.) Portrush. I think that what is one of the less atmospheric clubhouses in the UK (unlike its neighbour across the bay, Westward Ho!) maybe doesn't help matters. Anyway Saunton East is unquestionably the real thing and, off the back tees, a serious test for anyone. Will be interested to see the views of others...