Newquay

Perhaps it was our pre-conceptions that due largely to its popular seaside location this links would offer up little more than ‘holiday’ golf. We were proved to be wrong. Very wrong. And happy to be so.

After a relatively slow start the course, which has hosted many county events, springs into life at the uphill par four fourth which has a green cut into the side of a large dune. Ominous looking bunkers appear closer than they actually are from the tee but must still be crossed with the uphill approach.

The sweeping downhill fifth has a magnificent backdrop of Fistral Bay and requires a deft approach whilst the next dog-legs in the opposite direction and uphill to a majestic green atop of a large rolling sandhill. After you have played the short but superbly crafted par three seventh you are left in no doubt that this is a course worth visiting.

Indeed many professionals, including three former Ryder Cuppers, had done so the week prior to our visit when competing in the Cornish Riviera Pro-Am; a 3 day tournament held in conjunction with Trevose and St. Enodoc. Newquay keeps fine company on the North Cornwall coast and holds its own for much of the time.

The eighth hole is one of five that must cross a public footpath that dissects the course. With a steady flow of beach-goers and surfers throughout the round this did detract slightly from the experience, as did the fencing which protects the oblivious public from flying golf balls. However, the front nine ends with a sound par three to an excellent green location perched on the hillside and protected by deep bunkers.

The 12th hole also has one of the best green locations on the entire course. Ledged onto the side of a sandhill at a perfect angle to the fairway one must drive to the right in order to open up the best line of approach but at the same time leaving a much longer shot. The alternative option is to drive down the left for a shorter route to the green but this means you must play to the narrowest part of the green.

Further highlights are to come before the end of the round. The par three 14th and two-shotter 17th stand out as two cracking holes, again blending naturally into the undulating landscape.

With so many superb natural green locations it will come as no surprise that it was Harry Colt who originally laid out the course.

The bunkering is another strong point at Newquay. Here you will find fearsomely deep hazards, especially guarding the greens, where escape rather than precision becomes the primary objective. Holiday golf this is not.

In summary Newquay has half a dozen or so holes that wouldn’t look out of place on some of the more revered links in the South-West. And despite a handful of weaker holes it is a course that does not disappoint. Whilst I wouldn’t class Newquay as ‘holiday’ golf it is certainly somewhere I would consider playing if holidaying in Newquay.