[Gareth Williams]

Got an invite to go over the bridge and to play Royal Porthcawl for the first time next week.

Wanted to ask for any pointers for those who played what looks to be a mouth watering course!! Can't wait and hope the good weather holds into next week.

Thanks,
Gareth

[mike_malone]

 I can't recall enjoying a set of par fours more than here.

[Paul Nash]

Gareth - enjoy. Played it once and loved it. It is a tough, tough beast if the wind is up. I don't remember playing tougher par 4's. Stopping the ball on one of the par 3s on the back 9 surrounded by bunkers and downwind took a bit of head scratching for club selection - to no avail! In my top 10 courses - just a beautiful location with an amazing sense of space all around, views from everywhre.

[Bill_McBride]

And I thought the par 5s were terrific too.  Love the uphill #4 with the wall all along the left and the cross bunkers to be negotiated.  I thought the strength of Porthcawl was in the cross bunkering.

Come to think of it, the par 3s were pretty good too!  The one Paul mentions is terrific, and #7 is a little jewel at the top end of the course.  Porthcawl is a top of the line golf course.

Buda 2010 kicks off at Porthcawl in just over 6 months.   

[Kevin Pallier]

Gareth

I think Porthcawl is vastly underrated. The property isn't that expansive and the way the routing traverses across the terrain is great with all the directional changes. The effect of the winds is amazing. One minute you're down breeze the next it's across you next it's into you.

I'm sure you will enjoy it.

[Matt_Ward]

Gareth:

be sure to play the 1st hole from the two different tee boxes -- the champ box is down below the middle box and the slight angle change makes a difference.

the 2nd and 3rd holes are superbly done and get you into the spirit of the place in fine fashion.

the only real downer for me is the finale. Decent hole no doubt but I was expecting more to seal the deal.

you will enjoy what's there ... gets little real attention when all the UK is calculated into the mix.

[Mark_F]

the only real downer for me is the finale. Decent hole no doubt but I was expecting more to seal the deal.

Matt,

You are a tough critic.  The last has it all - magnificent view down a tumbling fairway towards the sea, a second over a rough cavern to an away sloping green full of contour. 

Are you sure you don't mean the 17th?

[Gareth Williams]

Sounds good and really looking forward to it.

Looks a majestic course and the wind (real sea winds!) will obviously play a key part of the experience.

[Matt_Ward]

Mark:

No, my memory is still intact.

The finale at Porthcawl for me is all-show with little really compelling stuff architecturally. It's not a bad hole -- it's just not what I thought should conclude the round there. In sum -- the closer left me wanting a good bit more than what's delivered.

Like I said previously, there are plenty of fun and exciting holes at Porthcawl -- those who make their way there will not be disappointed in the least.

[Mark_Rowlinson]

Enjoy it - Tiger hated it!

[Bill_McBride]

Enjoy it - Tiger hated it!

He didn't care much for the 17th either, bogeyed it go one down in his singles match and lost on the 18th.

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

Enjoy for this is a very good course. I am not sure it is as good as its ranking but certainly worth the trip from accross the pond. A number of holes are soso but I do not remember any being bad and a good number bing very good.

[Gareth Williams]

Enjoy it - Tiger hated it!

a 5 on the first is the Tiger score to beat I understand...and to avoid putting off a couple of greens too...

[Mark_Rowlinson]

In practice for the Walker Cup, Tiger and a big Scotsman whose name I forget both eagled the 17th, with wedges for their second shots! I was told this by Clive Brown the Walker Cup captain.

[Bill_McBride]

In practice for the Walker Cup, Tiger and a big Scotsman whose name I forget both eagled the 17th, with wedges for their second shots! I was told this by Clive Brown the Walker Cup captain.

Clive Brown's opposite number, the U.S. captain Downing Gray, is a member of my club in Pensacola.  He was pretty stunned by Tiger's failure to close the deal in several matches at Porthcawl.

I don't understand Matt Ward's disdain for the 18th.  From the way it plays across the first fairway    to the downhill shot into that green in front of the water, that is a good solid par 4.  My advice:  do not miss your tee shot out to the right!   

[Tony_Muldoon]

Nothing is confidential anymore, the club credits J Simpson for a major overhaul. ( I used to belong to a club who credited their design to RA Colt).

http://www.royalporthcawl.com/pages.php/page/78d9cd56-73e9-102c-9079-001ec9b331b2/view_section.html

I think this is his plan anyone know how much it’s changed?

http://www.tomsimpson.org.uk/gallery.htm 

I’ve not seen it so the BUDA trip has me all gyffrous with disgwyliad.

[JNC Lyon]

In practice for the Walker Cup, Tiger and a big Scotsman whose name I forget both eagled the 17th, with wedges for their second shots! I was told this by Clive Brown the Walker Cup captain.

The big Scotsman would be Gordon Sherry.  He won the British Amateur and was Britain's answer to Tiger.  He never panned out.

Who cares if Tiger does not like the course?  I mean really...

[Scott Warren]

Enjoy it - Tiger hated it!

You've seen the women in Wales, Mark... say no more!

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