Had the opportunity to meet up with a handful of hearty GCAers for a game in Surrey on the 28th. The folks included Tony Muldoon, Mark Chaplin, the elusive Remy, the equally elusive Doc Hiseman, myself and a few mates of Mark. The weather was very fine if not quite sunny. I can say right now that I lost and with good reason. Mark's mate played better! In truth, my approach game with any iron was dreadful and deserved a good kicking.
I hadn't played Worplesdon in many a year and was keen to get back. I think my opinion of the course was rather higher than the other GCAers which is fairly unusual. Also unusual was that I thought the strength of the course was the 3s and 5s. Not all of these holes were exceptional, but most were very good and to top it off I thought the famed 11th wasn't all that - though it was part of the best stretch on the course. #s 11-14 are all very fine and my favourite par 3 and par 5 were in this lot which is located across the busy Guildford Road. In fact, the worst part of the course was the road.
You will have to excuse the quality of the pix, but the photographer has to play the hand he is dealt!
The 1st hole, not unlike Swinley's opener.
Approach to the 1st.
The drive for the 2nd is blind, this is the approach after a solid drive.
Tee shot for the 3rd. Another good hole.
I like the approach to the 3rd because of the green sliding right to left and the deception of distance created behind the green because it borders the 1st fairway. The good Doctor slammed a 50 footer here for birdie.
The very good 4th. The first of many good one shotters. Doc Hiseman had a kick in for birdie after nearly slam dunking his tee shot.
The first of a really good set of 5s. I blindish drive over a crest, encountered many times round Worplesdon.
The approach to #6. This is that type of hole that many should birdie, but a deft chip and/or putt is still required.
The short #7. I liked this hole, but by now Robin and I were counting the uphill approaches. Somehow, this hole doesn't quite fit the land like many of the others do.
The short par 4 8th revealed the first strongly contoured green of the day. Like Swinley, many of the greens are maddeningly subtle and difficult to read. Tony humbled this hole with a birdie after recovering very well from a less than stellar drive.
The short 10th which features a harsh false front and a neat little tier in the middle of the green.
The famous 11th - the first of the holes across the road. When I see this photo now the hole strikes me as better than I recalled.
My favourite par 5 on the course, #12.
The approach to #12.
The terrific 13th.
Tee shot for one of the best par 4s, #14.
The 14th from about 100 yards out, some 80 yards closer than a good drive would end up in winter. So ends a lovely stretch of golf. If one includes the 10th, these five holes are the cream on Worplesdon's cake.
Yet another reachable par 5. This is the bunker which must be flown to gain the best angle of approach on 15.
The 15th after a layup.
The 16th, another uphill par 3. Many don't like uphill one shotters, but they are often some of my favourite holes on courses.
The 17th is probably the best par 4 on the course and the only one which I think is very good. Tee to green it isn't any different to many other two shotters on the course, but the green is what gives this 375ish yard hole its teeth.
#18 is a tough finisher.
As I say, I was impressed with Worplesdon and would readily visit again. Tony commented that he was disappointed the course is not more heathery. In truth, the course is much more parkland than heathland. The turf doesn't have any spring to it. Anyway one slices it, I liked the course and think it deserves a 6.2 on the SRA Scale.