Feature Int. on GB&I Courses w/Angela Moser, Robin Hiseman and Clyde Johnson

[Ran Morrissett]

https://golfclubatlas.com/june-feature-interview-roads-less-traveled/

Mike Dutton and I were brainstorming for Feature Interviews topics back in ~January. The idea of not-so-obvious tours within GB&I materialized, especially as we thought golfers would be streaming over there from around the world this summer. The delta variant had other ideas but that’s okay, these Feature Interviews don’t come attached with an expiry date.

In terms of whom to conduct the course tours, we thought, let’s have three golf course architects show us about as we hadn’t seen that approach done before. The three areas and architects we selected were Donegal, Ireland/Angela Moser, Grampian coastline, Scotland/Robin Hiseman and Northumberland, England/Clyde Johnson. I follow Angela’s and Clyde’s Instagram accounts, both of which are chock full with great photos/writings of out-of-way places. And Robin’s appreciation for seeing 9-holers and sub-6000 yarders is second to none as that is how he learned the game.

As we started assembling the piece, we tapped on the shoulders of two past Feature Interviewees for their love and knowledge of certain areas, namely Robin Down for northeast Scotland and Jeff Warne for Donegal.  Voilà – the June Feature Interview, which is the most patch work one we have ever undertaken with five different voices lending their expertise. The unifying aspect is their warm embrace for the subject matter, as well as enticing photography from the contributors.

Hope you like the format and for sure, the subject matter is near and dear to many of us, which is the art form of mixing off-the-beaten-track courses into a cohesive trip with big name ones. That’s what this month’s Feature Interview centers on: 19 courses in three distinct regions that will put a smile on your face. Some are ancient and one just opened last week! Variety, untamed beauty, wonderful walks and cool design features abound, be it on a 9-holer, 2,200 yard course like Rosehearty or a sub-6000 yard 18-holer like Greencastle.

If you like the concept, trip ideas could become an annual Feature Interview and it wouldn’t have to be confined to GB&I, though the courses obviously would need to be open to travelers. For instance, the next one from GB&I could feature a tour of Wales (I write this in hopes that R. Fisher has made it this far without a coronary), Northern Ireland, and something inland up the west side of England.

2020 was not a year for exploration. We need the pandemic to leave us and then many of us will continue our happily unending journey to see different courses in all shapes and sizes.

Until then, keep this Feature Interview bookmarked.

Best,

[John Mayhugh]

This was a great, if unintentionally cruel topic. I yearn to get back to the UK and Ireland. These sorts of trip ideas are always really useful. At Buda back in 2019, I was fortunate to play all of the courses that Clyde mentioned. It was a terrific trip when combined with a few days in East Lothian. Clyde's instagram gives you fine photos of many more places most of us wouldn't know of - at least not without GCA. Well worth a follow.

Of Robin's Scottish recommendations, I've played none but would like to remedy that.

Ireland, too, I'm weak on. But loved Cruit Island & am intrigued by the revised Narin & Portnoo. Would love to see travel return to normal.

[Mike Dutton]

It is always a joy learning about new (actually old) places to golf/see in the UK/Ireland...so many courses, too little time for sure.  For me, there is something special about being on the ground in an ancient place where the game has been played for over a century, usually in humble surrounds with local folks.  The human aspects of visiting these out of the way courses is fascinating to me.  It is also fun to discover the odd/unique architectural feature where usually mother nature had the biggest hand.

Well done Ran, Robin, Robin, Jeff, Angela and Clyde, you've brought to light some places that I now have to get to...

Mike

[Thomas Dai]

Splendid. Nice to see under the usual radar's highlighted.
Who's heard of Sandfield before? Looks cool. Wish there were more like it.
Well done all.
atb

[Richard Fisher]

Coronary averted (just) and thanks to all for some really terrific suggestions: complete agreement with the allure of Northumberland not just as a place for elemental seaside golf but for wonderful beaches, pretty villages, great castles and, inland, some spectacular moorland/forest scenery. And kippers.

[Tommy Williamsen]

Great interview. When I go to GB&I I love playing some of the "unsung" courses. There are good ones everywhere. I have played many of those mentioned but never heard of others.

[Tony_Muldoon]

Really enjoyed this, thanks to all who contributed.

Clyde have you seen the back 9 at Seahouses? The Club has a card and green fee just for it and its where my money will mostly go on 9 hole golf in  Nothumberland.  Warkworth may have the stunning 3rd , Alnmouth Village is charming but Seahouses has great variety and in the short par 3 5th an all world hole.

Robin.  You LOVE quirk but With so much golf to be played in you area I think tourist should try Covesea OR Cullen unless they have a couple of weeks to see the rest too?


You picked out 3 areas I’ve enjoyed and really look forward to returning. Other areas to add?  Much more difficult. 

North Wales has been praised on these pages by Mark Rowlinson and if you are planning a follow up get on the blower to him. I’m currently sitting in Llandudno and there’s at least 10 course within an hour I wish to play (but this is a family holiday). Base yourself in the University town of Bangor and the travel time comes down to 45mins.

Mid Wales  and the English Borders was brilliantly covered around last years Buda.  Check the threads. Arble and Dai would be the best hosts.

South Wales is perhaps too well known and more expensive than all the above but from Southerndown to Tenby there’s a no of good plays.

The North Midlands of England. Boon and Cheslett can help.  This years Buda will be the second inan area normally overlooked.

Courses adjacent to the A9, right though the centre of Scotland? Niall Carlton is your man.  If I can find an easier way to post I might add a few photo’s myself.

Also I’d love to see more photos of the Morland courses in Yorkshire – must get there. If you really want to experience something new, go and live in Yorkshire. Anthropologists have much to discover about man if they haven’t done a field trip there! Adam Lawrence and Robin Hiseman are exceptions to the rule and might offer pointers here.

Struggling to think of other areas.



Another thought.  Many (mainly US based) have expressed the desire to me to spend summer(s) in the UK.  Your areas derive serious consideration.  Yes I’d love to walk on to Dornoch every day but the £220 green fee and the need to book weeks in advance are somewhat off putting. Membership takes years.  Fife and East Lothian have similar issues.

The advantages of these other areas include

1 Cheaper living all round and the possibility of joining the club straight up. This enables you to play comps and not just bounce games. A big advantage IMO.

2 Becoming a part of real Club where the visitor nos are not the be all and end all end of summer living. There’s more chance of ‘fitting in’ and making some friends to play with. Play starts as soon as the rain passes!

3 The other clubs in the area are also more reasonable and also easier to get on when the mood suits.

4 you will be experiencing things for yourself, not seeking to replicate what you’ve read about in articles.  You will be an adventurer genuinely welcomed by those who are not so accustomed to ‘guests’ wanting to stay all summer.

I hope you can find other regions of the World to expand these thoughts to. A winter in Portugal sounds nice to me and if you’ll cover my costs, I promise to find the real gems.

[Niall C]

Well done all, some courses to whet the appetite. I'm really pleased Robin included Duff House Royal, a real gem.


Niall

[Clyde Johnson]

Clyde have you seen the back 9 at Seahouses? The Club has a card and green fee just for it and its where my money will mostly go on 9 hole golf in Nothumberland.  Warkworth may have the stunning 3rd , Alnmouth Village is charming but Seahouses has great variety and in the short par 3 5th an all world hole.

Yes, I have Tony, walked it on a beautiful evening, and have been meaning to go back and play. A smattering of fine holes on the sea side of the road.




The Moray coast is probably my favourite of the three areas covered, there's still a little bit of mystique to that part of the world for me, and there's a wide variety to the golf. For the full package, I am heading to Donegal...that's got to be one of the most underrated destinations in the world!

[Ally Mcintosh]

I prefer to extend Donegal to “North-West Ireland” if you truly want the full package, including more golden age design (Rosses Point), Machair lay of the land low budget (Mulranny) and even links holes that I reckon I’m the only one from all 1,500 on this forum to have played.

[Niall C]

The Moray coast is probably my favourite of the three areas covered, there's still a little bit of mystique to that part of the world for me, and there's a wide variety to the golf.

Yes indeed, lots of very entertaining holiday golf along the Moray coast such as Strathlene, Buckpool, Hopeman etc but please don't restrict yourself to the coast. Elgin and Forres are both well worth a play with Elgin in my mind one of the best inland courses in Scotland (better than Lanark ? I think so).


Niall

[Ronald Montesano]

Nice little interview with Mr. Clyde Johnson here on the Walter J. Travis Society site: https://walterjtravissociety.files.wordpress.com/2021/07/clyde-johnson-interview-rm-1.pdf

[John Mayhugh]

Ron,
Thanks for posting that interview.

Clyde has a terrific eye for the kind of golf I like. Great follow on twitter & instagram  @cunningolf

[Charles Lund]

The interview underscores Donegal and the North and West Coast links of Ireland as a location for interesting and fun courses.  I've spent about nine months in Ireland playing golf and over 80 percent of my time in this area.  I was pleased to see the club mentioned where I was a member for five years.



I'd like to see and play St. Patrick's and always enjoyed the Sandy Hills and Old Tom Morris nine, along with the nine hole addition which opened around 2009.


Maybe next year.


Charles Lund