Alnmouth GC shares its history with the Village Club in that the club originally played over the “Downer” links before Willie Park Jr added nine holes around 1905 which was known as the “Upper” links. After HC Colt redesigned the course in the late 1920s a new club was formed which played over the Foxton Hall estate. A few years later the Village Club was formed which continues to play the nearly original (thought to be) Mungo Park 9 hole “Downer” links. The 18-hole Colt course looks over the North Sea and receives the full brunt of a fresh sea-breeze. However, the turf is parkland despite the being sea-adjacent.
There is no messing about at Alnmouth. The opener is a long par 4 with a blind approach. Like many of the fairways, there isn't much featured...just the land as it was found. Once at the green the story changes.
The downhill pitch of the fairway continues through the green.
There is no let up on the 2nd. Play traverses along the side of the hill over a rig & furrow fairway.
We then cut up the hill for the approach. A bunker is placed on the ideal line. It would take my best to reach this par 4 in two.
Not overly long, but the tee shot on the three-shot 3rd bangs into an upslope...flat bellies have a significant advantage. I am not sure about the rough so close to the fairway bunkers. Perhaps its to prevent lost balls left?
Again, the line of instinct down the left is compromised by rough.
Despite the decision to grow rough up the left the thoughtful bunker placement makes this a good par 5.
Alnmouth is relentless, another big two-shotter, this time playing directly toward the sea then turning sharply left. I am generally not keen on big holes with hard doglegs and the 4th didn't disabuse me of that notion. Onto the 5th, a short hole on the sea. Anytime there is a raised green on a windy site one knows par is a tough get. The 2nd green is on the right.
More to follow.
Ciao