[Mark Pearce]

News this morning (though it may be old news) that a second course is to be built at Ramside Hall in County Durham http://bdaily.co.uk/news/arts-and-culture/04-01-2012/15m-investment-in-durham-hotel/?utm_source=Bdaily+Bulletin&utm_medium=Text+link&utm_content=stories&utm_campaign=Bulletin+Traffic.  The architect will be Jonathan Gaunt, who designed the first course there.  Given that the existing course is, IMHO, one of the worst of a poor bunch of modern designs in the North East (with the shining exception of the very good Colt Course at Close House), it is to be hoped that 16 years more experience allows Mr Gaunt to produce a better product.

[Dónal Ó Ceallaigh]

Mark,

The following quote doesn't inspire confidence:

"The golfer will have to hit over and around water more than 20 times on our new course, most dramatically at the par-3 12th hole – which will be completely encircled by water hazards.”

[Mark Pearce]

Donal,

I had missed that particular gem.  My already low expectations slump further.  I believe the owners are aiming to develop "the Belfry of the North".  I think that ambition says it all.

[Jonathan Davison]

Mark,

Have you played Linden Hall? It has been a while since I played the course but I really enjoyed it, some good golf holes on a nice piece of land, I guess its a bit out of the way but a decent track.

[Mark Pearce]

Jonathan,

I have played Linden Hall a few times, though not recently.  It's not a bad course at all, as you say a nice bit of land and some very enjoyable holes.  Certainly a much better design than either course at Slaley Hall, in my book, much better than Matfen Hall or Longhirst Hall and much, much better than Ramside.  The last couple of times I was there, however, conditioning was poor enough to lessen the experience.  I guess I should get up there again some time to see how it is now.

[Niall C]

I've played Maften, Linden (I think) and both courses at Slaley and while none of them are that great from memory Maften and Linden were OK. Slaley on the other hand just seems like a wasted opportunity. Ever thought that the big course would have a better routing if they simply reversed it ie. 18th green to 18th tee on so on ?

Niall

[Mark Pearce]

Niall,

Almost any routing on the property of the "big" course would be better than what they have.  However, reversing the holes would certainly improve 18, 13, (probably) 9 and 8, which are just simply bad holes (notwithstanding the status of 9 as "signature" hole).

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