[Scott Warren]

St Enedoc looks like 40 as well (though the aerial is of the old green at 16 with four bunkers, new one only has 2-3 from memory) but with only 3 bunkerless holes (1, 3, 10).#

Silloth, 44 with 4, 7 and 13 being bunkerless.

David E: Thanks!

[Mark Pearce]

St Enedoc looks like 40 as well (though the aerial is of the old green at 16 with four bunkers, new one only has 2-3 from memory) but with only 3 bunkerless holes (1, 3, 10).#

Silloth, 44 with 4, 7 and 13 being bunkerless.

David E: Thanks!

Interesting how even courses with few bunkers seem to have some that could easily be removed.  Silloth, for instance could easily lose the bunker on the outside of the dogleg at 4, for instance and maybe even the fairway bunker at 10 without being materially changed.

[Scott Warren]

I agree, Mark, that some of these can be wheeled back further.

At Deal I think there are 10-15 that could be yanked and it would make the course stronger. Mark C tells me our tally of bunkers is reducing, so I suppose the club is on the right track.

The other tough thing is with a green ringed by bunkers like 8 at deal, 8 at St Enodoc or 9 at Silloth, if you connect a few you reduce the number of bunkers, but you don't materially cvhange the hole. I suppose simply counting bunkers doesn't tell the whole story.

[James Boon]

I thought Brora might have a small number of bunkers but I just counted 47, so its light on them but not as light as those already mentioned.

Sean,

I wonder if the new tee on 13 is designed to open up a better view of the bridlepath to the beach? From the old tee it was a better playing angle but for anyone hitting driver, walkers weren't easily seen.

Cheers,

James

[Sean_A]

I thought Brora might have a small number of bunkers but I just counted 47, so its light on them but not as light as those already mentioned.

Sean,

I wonder if the new tee on 13 is designed to open up a better view of the bridlepath to the beach? From the old tee it was a better playing angle but for anyone hitting driver, walkers weren't easily seen.

Cheers,

James

Boony

It could be, but isn't that why the path was raised and ridiculously narrowed?  Even now, just as before, one can't see walkers on the left of the path.  The tee would have to be higher than the old tee and instead it is considerably lower.  Mind you, the worry of hitting the path is much reduced because of the added yardage. 

As part of using that spine of unused dunes, a new 13th tee back there on the edge of the reservoir would be good along with a new 12th tee making it a par 3 (from that tee), and a new 11th tee to the right and rear of the right tee.   

Ciao

[James Boon]

Sean,

We discussed the possibility of 12 as a par 3 at the weekend. The dune behind the 11th and on the right of the drive at 12 is very flat top and would make a real challenging par 3. I can't see the club doing it but I like the idea, and I agree with your idea for 11, as it wouldn't be that intrussive on the dunes, but would make a longer, tougher hole while introducing another angled tee. Interestingly, Robin H remembered only ever playing from the right tees on 11 when he was younger, though I'm sure they are only used in winter now?

Cheers,

James

[Sean_A]

Sean,

We discussed the possibility of 12 as a par 3 at the weekend. The dune behind the 11th and on the right of the drive at 12 is very flat top and would make a real challenging par 3. I can't see the club doing it but I like the idea, and I agree with your idea for 11, as it wouldn't be that intrussive on the dunes, but would make a longer, tougher hole while introducing another angled tee. Interestingly, Robin H remembered only ever playing from the right tees on 11 when he was younger, though I'm sure they are only used in winter now?

Cheers,

James

Boony

The flat top dune was made so as the 12th when changed was originally going to be a par 3.  You can see how the green is even oriented toward that dune.  I am not sure of the process to create the par 4 - which is a very good hole imo.  The only problem is the walk back from 11 green - very annoying as is the walk back to #13 tee from 12 green.  It is interesting to note that these are the only two real walk back holes and they are two of the more recently designed holes (in the 70s).  Though I believe the 13th tee came after the original 70s design.  The original tee is where the ladies and forward/seniors tee is. 

Ciao

[Andrew Mitchell]

Andrew,

We must get you down to the West Country some time!

James

Agreed! 

We can chat more about this when we meet next but what else is there in the immediate vicinity? 

Where would you base yourself if you were going to go to the area for say 3 days/nights playing 3 different courses?

[Scott Warren]

The par four 6th/15th on the Channel Course, rolling links terrain through the dune saddle to a great two-tiered green.


The 7th/16th green is a great example of the simple but effective architecture of the Cahnnel course. It's a perfect village course, though as Sean A pointed out to me, quite narrow in a crosswind.


The approach to the driveable par four 9th/18th on the Channel course. If you miss left in the rough you have a tough pitch over broken ground to a green that drops away steeply on the far side.


The approach to the 2nd on the main course, played over some of the most undulating groujnd on the course.

[Bill_McBride]

Bill,

Regarding architects involved at Burnham, don't forget JH Taylor, Pennick and Hawtree (can't remember which but could have been father and son, I'll check my history book later).

Cheers,

James

I was just going off the club's website, where attribution stopped with Harry Colt.  I guess Taylor would have been earlier, ??, Pennick and Hawtree later than Colt.  I'm really looking forward to seeing the course!

[Peter Pallotta]

Thanks much, Scott - that was a very enjoyable read (and viewing). I wish more official golf writing was as good as yours - clear communication and genuine feelings and enthusiams.

Peter 

[Scott Warren]

Thanks Peter, that's very kind of you. I'd dearly love to give news reporting the flick and write about golf, or even just do some "official" writing on the side, but the magazines and whatnot are a tough nut to crack!

It was with that in mind I started my blog. Pretty basic, but any outlet is better than nothing!

I've been working on some stuff from my stay in the UK with a view to maybe putting together a book and publishing it myself just for some fun. I'm not really sure yet. I have gigabyte upon gigabyte of words and pictures... I really have to decide what I am going to do with it all.

[James Boon]

Sean,

Yes, I recall you mentioning that the 12th was originally planned as a par 3. And you are right, the course flows wonderfully apart from the walks backwards on 12 and 13!

Andrew,

Look forward to it! Its tircky to say what else is in the area. I'd say Saunton and Westward Ho! but they are probably still and hour and a halfs drive away! I think that as Burnham is only about 5mins drive from Junction 22 of the M5, its an ideal stop off for anyone heading further south west for Saunton, St Enodoc or wherever. However, there is a good deal to be had staying at the dormey house, perhaps stopping off to play Painswick on the way down?

Scott,

Further great photos, thanks! That looks a good angle in to the 2nd? 

Bill,

Yes, Taylor was earliest of the name architects and Pennick and Hawtree came later. Quite a pedigree hey!

Bam Bam,

3 wood off the tee is probably the best bet for you on a lot of holes 

I take it the "insert quote" isn't working for anyone else either? 

Cheers,

James

[Bill_McBride]

Sean,

Yes, I recall you mentioning that the 12th was originally planned as a par 3. And you are right, the course flows wonderfully apart from the walks backwards on 12 and 13!

Andrew,

Look forward to it! Its tircky to say what else is in the area. I'd say Saunton and Westward Ho! but they are probably still and hour and a halfs drive away! I think that as Burnham is only about 5mins drive from Junction 22 of the M5, its an ideal stop off for anyone heading further south west for Saunton, St Enodoc or wherever. However, there is a good deal to be had staying at the dormey house, perhaps stopping off to play Painswick on the way down?

Scott,

Further great photos, thanks! That looks a good angle in to the 2nd? 

Bill,

Yes, Taylor was earliest of the name architects and Pennick and Hawtree came later. Quite a pedigree hey!

Bam Bam,

3 wood off the tee is probably the best bet for you on a lot of holes 

I take it the "insert quote" isn't working for anyone else either? 

Cheers,

James

Is for me!

[James Boon]

Bill,

Still nope! Either I'm cursed or you're blessed?    Maybe I should just turn the laptop back off and on again... 

Cheers,

James

[Bill_McBride]

Sean,

Yes, I recall you mentioning that the 12th was originally planned as a par 3. And you are right, the course flows wonderfully apart from the walks backwards on 12 and 13!

Andrew,

Look forward to it! Its tircky to say what else is in the area. I'd say Saunton and Westward Ho! but they are probably still and hour and a halfs drive away! I think that as Burnham is only about 5mins drive from Junction 22 of the M5, its an ideal stop off for anyone heading further south west for Saunton, St Enodoc or wherever. However, there is a good deal to be had staying at the dormey house, perhaps stopping off to play Painswick on the way down?

Scott,

Further great photos, thanks! That looks a good angle in to the 2nd? 

Bill,

Yes, Taylor was earliest of the name architects and Pennick and Hawtree came later. Quite a pedigree hey!

Bam Bam,

3 wood off the tee is probably the best bet for you on a lot of holes 

I take it the "insert quote" isn't working for anyone else either? 

Cheers,

James

Is for me!

When in doubt, reboot!

[Scott Warren]

James,

I have been having trouble quoting for a few days as well.

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