Wow, what a warm welcome and I am blushing Brian, very kind of you
And thank you too Michael, a belated welcome to you.
Frank, I too enjoyed our walk last year, was actually at Tandridge last week but weather was awful and Ian and Graham were very busy on operation fescue so didn't get to see the recent work, but will be returning in a couple of weeks so I'll have a look then. However just on the drive through the course, the bunkering certainly lifts the look.
Yes, I heard that Adam liked the 18th, we're certainly very pleased how it's worked out, pop in anytime.
Hi Donal, difficult to say why, but I kind of prefer Malone, I think just for its maturity as one of the very few parklands that I enjoy re-visiting. Also the elevation changes allow for some great views, which makes it very clear just what you have to do regards playing the hole. Also very nice to see so much tree clearance of particularly nasty leylandii trees and other undesirables, and what follows tree clearance, improved turf health which is always good news.
My thoughts on Falsterbo, is quite simply a wonderful place to play proper links golf, well from hole 6 onwards, the first 6 holes are very low lying, frequently flooded holes caused by high tides, although they are trying to gain permission to install a slusan as they say in Sweden.
They have huge ambition to improve the course and are making great strides, new and improved bunkering, mostly re-vetted green side bunkers and lovely RCD style f/way bunkers in places, but it's work in progress, so still lots to do.
All their greens were re-built and redesigned in the 90's, and for some strange reason they changed designers half way through the project and it's so evident which is a shame. One thing that's got to be mentioned is the quality of the greens, absolutely superb, 85% fescue! they are just so consistently firm, fast and an absolute joy all year round! I'd highly recommend a visit to the area to enjoy Falsterbo and it's wonderful surroundings, and when in the area, play Llunghussen (a Coastal Heath) and Flommens, which borders Falsterbo, which is links in places.
I've visited a couple of other courses which are worth noting Torekovs, again linksy in places and just needing some TLC to bring it up to speed, and Bastad is a lovely original Hawtree course with quite fantastic green complexes when you consider the earth moving they must have carried out nearly 90 years ago.
Funnily enough I'm visiting Svartinge in Stockholm this w/end, this is a private members course with some lovely holes through the woods, designed by Peter Nordwell and has probably the largest set of greens I've seen.
I think the golf scene in Sweden in General is just so refreshing, they actively encourage the juniors, I've never seen so many kids enjoying time on the courses, there is little stuffiness regards dress codes which again allows anyone to come and have a go, all the courses I know are willing to invest to improve their product, which is not happening in the UK, I guess it's just an economy thing but I do feel there is a great golf culture in Sweden, what do you think?
Hi Colin, yeah born and bred in Montrose, where I still believe that with a bit of thought and investment could be even higher up there.
Thanks for the invite to Dingwall, Jon, whereabouts is your course? You're a lucky man living in that part of the world....heaven.
RJ Daley, thanks for the welcome and I'll check the Sand Hills thread out.