Princes Again

[Sean_A]

Tony

Looking at the maps you gave me it is extraordinary how different the layout of Princes is today, but I reckon Sarazen would still recognize much of what he sees today.  In the old days it must have seemed quite a spread out course much in the way Sandwich is.  It is also immediately apparent that holes 3, 4, 5 & 8 would have been spine breakers because these holes would have run at more or less right angles to the dunes.  It is also clear that several old holes were on what is now the Himalaya course.  I reckon #s 7-11 would have been on the north side of the current clubhouse.  

Perhaps the old #7 is essentially today's #1 on Himalaya.  The current green site is the natural place for it.  I would be surprised if this hole has been altered much.  It is also possible for the old #9 to be the Himalaya #5.  I wonder if the current Himalaya's 7th green is the same green from #11 on the old course.  

It looks like there are several other holes that may have been revived for the current Dunes course.  It looks like #s 13, 15 & 16 are #s 3, 4 & 5.  Additionally, the old #1 may be the current Shore course #6.  

Tommy Mac-what say you?

Ciao

Sean

[Tony_Muldoon]

Sean it was great to meet you at last. I will sort all my Princes stuff out but we are going out now.


This is the tee shot on todays Himalya’s second which would have been the old 8th.  It was a par 5 and the second shot was over the line of dunes on the right of the picture which in those days were covered in bunkers.



Hopefully Richard Pennell can post some pictures from yesterday.

[Brent Hutto]

So what's the deal, did you guys play Princes this weekend?

[Bill_McBride]

Sean, is Swansea Bay the one you see as you exit the M-4 to go down into Swansea?  It looks like a couple of holes almost go under the exit ramp!

Frost delay on a links course?  Hmmmmm........

[Tony_Muldoon]

Sean, is Swansea Bay the one you see as you exit the M-4 to go down into Swansea?  It looks like a couple of holes almost go under the exit ramp!

Thats the one and our post match discussion centered around was this the course that was the original inspiration for the Jens National?

A great fun course with losts of interest and a great deal of variety.  Sean you are a great enthusiast to play with. Seeing you torn over the Driver/7w choice for tee shot on 10(?) was great fun too.

I think what summed it up for me was getting up and down for a par on that one, SI 1, and then I made a right mess of one of the shortest par 4's on the course two holes later.  It didn't even have any bunkers on it just awkward stances and a punchbowl green.

All I can find about the course is it dates from 1890's but no architect is listed in the Times Guide.  As Sean says whoever laid it out knew what they were doing.  The clubhouse has maps showing the changes after the motorway arrived but to it's credit they aren't immediately apparent while playing it.

Anyone know more?

[Richard Muldoon]

Sean,
thanks for Saturday I thoroughly enjoyed the course despite not playing well.
My first impression from the car park weren't great, but I was pleasantly suprised.
I would imagine that the wind is usually quite strong up that estuary. Added to F&F conditions in summer and I reckon you would have to carefully think your way round.
I would still be dumb enough to try and get on that par 5 in 2 though  
I don't think you would get bored with playing the course in a rush.

[Richard Pennell]

Thanks for Saturday chaps, it was great to meet Richard and Sean for the first time. I'm waiting for the photos to upload to the web, I'll post them asap. There's a cracker of the par 5 under the road, ridiculous sight but what a great hole to play. Richard hits his fairway wood shots so high I was terrified watching the ball(s!) soaring high over the motorway

Sean, I really enjoyed Swansea Bay. It must have been good because I was so looking forward to Pennard and still had a great day. I'll not forget Tony's face when he realised his mistake at the petrol garage either

[Tony_Muldoon]

I'll not forget Tony's face when he realised his mistake at the petrol garage either

Not this Tony

[Richard Pennell]

Here we go. Not the best photos I'm afraid, I told you the camera ruins my game (even further) - it works both ways.

This is the approach to 10 (I think) from the side Sean drove, as opposed to from the water hazard, where I drove.


Approach to 11


Think this was 12 with the hidden green in a dell. Great contour at the front of the green, shame I didn't capture that. If you look carefully you can just pick out the road behind...


Tempting second on the par 5 13th. Green sits up high behind the little tree on the corner of the junk on the right


From a bit closer, check out Tony and Sean strolling towards the next tee...


Sean prepares to tee off on 14