Golf Monthly UK – August 2019

StPierre–Old

St Pierre is just on the Welsh side of the border with
England and is home to a large hotel and two parkland
courses. The first, the Old, was designed by Frank Pennink and
CK Cotton. It has hosted many prestigious events, including
eight British Masters and the 1996 Solheim Cup. Just over a
decade ago, Ross McMurray made substantial improvements
to both courses, the result being a first-class golfing destination.
GF: round £45-£75

StGeorge’sHill–Red/Blue

Sitting way up high at 24 in the GM Top 100, St George’s

Hill is a sublime design that is the very definition of

classic and classy golf. The legendary Harry Colt fashioned the

course through pine and heather more than a century ago, and

as you work your way round the gentle undulations to the

beautifully sited greens, you are stepping back in time to the

foundations of the golden age of golf.

GF: Round: £175

l BellInn,Bramshaw

Forestcourse:par69,5,757

yards;Manorcourse:par71,

6,400yards

SituatedintheheartoftheNew

Forest,thetwo18-holelayoutsat

Bramshawcouldhardlybemore

differentfromoneanother.The

Forestcourseisadelightfuland

naturalheathlanddesignwhich

rollsovergently-undulating

ground.Accuracyisfarmore

importantthanlengthanditsmain

defenceistheveryprettystreams

thatcomeintoplaythroughout

theround.TheManorcourseisa

fineparklandalternativewhich

runsthroughmajesticwoodland.

Rightnextdoor,the18th-

centuryBellInnhas 28

comfortableroomsandalovely

barareaservinglocalalesand

offeringexcellentdininginasmart

butinformalsetting.Thereare

stay-and-playpackagesavailable

throughouttheyearwhichoffer

excellentvalueformoney.

FAMOUS SAINTS

It’s hard to pick out a

best hole, but St Annes

Old Links promotes the 9th as

its signature – a modest-length par 3

to a heavily bunkered punchbowl

green that’s a full 46 yards

from front to back.

STAY & PLAY

Words:

Rob Smith

Photography:

Kevin Murray, Andy Hiseman, Getty Images