With a number of courses very close together one can be led up the garden path, so to speak. And this is no exception; my faithful satellite navigation again pointed me in the opposite direction when I was within half a mile on my destination.

Heading from Cardiff along the head of the valleys road, turn off and head for Castle Coch golf club. Go past the club for about a mile, up through woods and you will come to Castle Heights and Mountain Lakes golf club.

You will be intrigued to find a stone built 1320 AD Long house, and a 650 year old Yew tree outside the front door. This is definitely an original, and one not to be found anywhere in the U.K. Extensions have been made in recent times but in keeping with the originality of the existing buildings.

Greeted by the owner, James Murray who gave me an overview of the two courses, the 18 hole Castle Heights, and the 9 hole Mountain Lakes. Planning the layout with James in its infancy was Dai Davies, Walker Cup Captain, and Welsh Open Champion.

The weather being overcast with very little wind gave hope that a good score could be ensued. Going out in 38, two over par, with 1 birdie and 5 pars meant everything was going my way all I had to do was keep up the momentum. Pushing one out of bounds on the 10^th leaving me a double bogie I thought my lucky streak had come to an end. This was not the case; coming in with 40 on the back nine gave me a net 65, seven under par, the best card so far on the challenge.

This course not only has a Longhouse but long greens to go with it. An interesting and enjoyable course to play.

The 7^th, one of the long narrow greens

One green measures 60′ x 20′.

The Old Longhouse Bar circa 1320

Conditions: Overcast and slight winds.

Results: Won against the course

Out: 38
In: 40
Gross: 78
H/Cap: 13
Net: 65
Par: 72
Putts: 17 / 14 = 31
Stableford: 23 /20 = 43

7 Pars; 3 Birdies; 7 Bogeys; 1 D/Bogie

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A special day was to be had at Ruthin Pwll Glas , Mr. John Hughes, a past Captain of the club, held his County Captains day at his home club with being the current County Captain of the Denbighshire Golf Union.

County Captain John Hughes (front centre) with D.G.U. committee members

With the weather looking good and the turnout was well supported by the clubs in the union, a good day was to be had.

My playing partners for the day were the Captain and Vice Captain of Rhos on Sea Golf club, a club I have yet to play on the challenge.

This nine hole course is on the crest of a mountain slope with views along the Clwyd vale. A good starting hole par 4, 349 yards allows you open your shoulders off the tee playing uphill to the green. The first of the par 3’s will test all as it was straight into wind, 225 yards uphill. Ten holes are played over markers, so accurate drives are essential. The greens and tees were excellent with good presentation all round the course.

County Captain sets the ball rolling; one could say “well teed off” sir.

Finishing off the day the County Captain thanked all who supported him and all prize winners went home with some good wine and spirits.

I would like to thank all the members of Ruthin Pwll Glas who are supporting the “Penny” challenge especially the chairman Mr. Gwyn Lewis for his sponsorship towards the challenge.

Conditions: Sunny spells, overcast and windy

Results: Lost against the course

Out: 40
In: 44
Gross: 84
H/Cap: 13
Net: 71
Par: 66
Putts: 16 / 16 = 32
Stableford: 18 /14 = 32

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The schedule for playing this was re-located to the Junior Captain’s day 26^th July 2008.

This club is off the beaten track and difficult to find, even with satellite navigation. Just outside Newtown heading towards Caerwys on the A489, you pass the Maesmawr Hotel on your right, proceed to the level crossing, immediately on your left there is Moat lane with a sign Camping site on the corner. Follow the sign and go past the camp site you will come to the driving range and golf club on your right.

Now under new ownership of Steve & Penny Derwinton-Davies great strides are being made to make this nice little par 3 course into something that will give all that play it a sense of achievement. A floodlit 14 bay driving range to hone your skills before playing, or just to practice those wayward shots, even professional lessons can be pre- booked. And to finish off light refreshments can be had in the small and friendly clubhouse.

The Junior Captain Vanessa Watkins thanked all that supported her day and presented the best net score to Junior Rhys Jones playing off 30 with a 76 net 46 and best gross to Junior Mitch Davies playing off 12 with gross 63 net 51. Finishing off the day with a bar B Que, all credit goes to Steve and Penny who hosted the day. Thanks go to my playing partners Ashley and Leslie, and not forgetting my caddy, ye old Fred.

Junior Captain Vanessa Watkins with the best net score, Junior Rhys Jones.

Junior Captain Vanessa Watkins with the best gross score, Junior Mitch Davies.

Left to Right: Ladies Capt. Elaine Willetts, President Ken Short, Junior Capt. Vanessa Watkins, Captain D. McKay

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Arriving early and greeted by the secretary Howard Jones, Fred, my young caddy and I were introduced to my two playing partners for the day, Mr. Neville Kynaston, a trustee of the club and Sid Pugh, both being Past Presidents and Past Captains of the club.

Neville has collated a history of the clubs achievements to produce a booklet commemorating its 75 year history. One of Wales’s most famous golfers, Ian Woosnam, took up the game as a junior here in 1967 and held the course record for a number of years, and to this day still has links with the club.

It is unique to be able to say you can drive off in Wales and putt out in England as there are 3 holes that stray over the border.

The 5th Tee in England

The border…

…Now what are the odds of getting 3 balls in a line off the second shot into the green on the 5^th? (One’s on the green)

This is a gem of a course that gives you great satisfaction not only for the golf, but the scenic views that surround it. The “Hill” as it is affectionately known by the members has some notoriety to it. A local by the name of Ned Pugh made a wager that he could walk to the Lion Hotel in Llanymynech from the Ogaf (Ogaf is Welsh for cave). So one Sunday morning he set off into the cave with his harp and the congregation in the chapel, which was next to the hotel listened intently and sure enough they heard the sound of the harp coming through the ground. This was their queue to start singing so that Ned would know. When they finished singing, the music had stopped, and Ned was never seen again.

Result: Win against the course

Weather: Sunny periods, overcast with variable winds.

Out: 42
In: 41
Gross: 83
H/Cap: 13
Nett: 70
Par: 70
Putts: 16/16= 32
Stableford Pts: 18 / 18 =36

5 Pars; 2 Birdies; 7 Bogies; 4 D/Bogies

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The golf club is about 2 miles to the north west of the market town of Welshpool a busy tightly knitted community town.

Arriving at the club we were greeted by the steward Clive, who gave a brief history of the club which celebrated its centenary last year.

Making our way to the first tee one could see that this layout is one of James Braid’s designs, utilizing the natural contours of this moorland course. Being national trust land there has been little change over the years to the course.

A 5716 yards, par 71, SSS 68 open moorland course, with natural hillside contours, small greens and seven holes playing into a strong wind meant a true test of golf would be had.

The biggest problem playing a course for the first time is where to aim for as some holes are blind and playing over the marker posts can sometimes be the wrong line, depending on the shape of shot whether it be a fade, or a draw that you play .

Like a lot of courses in Wales the scenic views are quite stunning when you get up on the top of the course and look across you can see Cader Idris and the Snowdonian ranges.

With only two pars on the front nine and two on the back resulted in losing to the course. This was partly due to a heavy cloudburst which lasted about 20 minutes. Having driven off the 13^th tee, the heavens opened, so shelter was sort in a little tin shed on the right of the fairway where waterproofs could be donned. It wasn’t until a little time after that we realised that the shed was used as a toilet.

The high light for me was the 18^th hole par 5, where you are standing on the tee looking across a great big chasm thinking WOW what an awesome hole. With over 200 yards carry to clear the road running across the fairway, a good shot must be had, especially with the prevailing wind. It’s a hole that will stay with you as one of the challenges of Welshpool golf club.

I was given a generous donation of £22.90 from a member and two visitors who wished me luck with the challenge.

18th Tee looking along the fairway to the green top left.

18th Fairway

…18^th green. It was stated that Ian Woosnam nearly drove the green in his younger days. Standing on the tee and looking across the valley one could stand in ore at that achievement.

Conditions: Light showers with heavy rain and gusting winds

Results: Lost to the course

Out 43
In 43
Gross 86
H/Cap 13
Nett 73
Par 71
Putts 20 / 15 = 35
Stableford
Points 16 / 18 = 34

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Just 15 minutes drive makes a refreshing change to get to Chirk Golf club. Established in 1990 on the Chirk estate owned by the Myddleton family this parkland course was one of the new generation type courses. Boasting a 660 yard par 5 at the time reckoned to be the longest in the U.K. even today the 17^th is 632 yards off the white tees.

A course that is long, 6541 yards off the yellow tees, and 7045 yards off the whites with seven holes into the prevailing wind. Some wide and liberal fairways and not too many trees give all a chance to open ones shoulders and go for it.

Playing with the Captain John Capper I was made very welcome, and a good sociable round of golf was had. Out in 43, and back in 44 meant I was two over handicap on the day, with the conditions being windy, a good day was had.

To my surprise I was presented with a cheque for £134 raised on the day from the senior section of the club with a further cheque to follow from the members, totaling £184 in all.

The kindness that was showed to me was most gratifying, and I can say that from the children of the hospices a great big “Thank you” to all of the seniors and members. Well done.

Chirk Golf Club Seniors Section with “Penny” the dragon mascot

Conditions: Sunny spells, overcast and windy

Results: Lost against the course

Out: 43
In: 44
Gross: 87
H/Cap: 13
Net: 74
Par: 72
Putts: 18 / 16 = 33
Stableford: 17 /17 = 34

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Having passed by this course on a number of occasions and never really gave it much thought thinking it was a small 9 hole course. How wrong can one be! It’s a little gem.

Tees, fairways and greens were faultless; in fact the presentation was excellent.

The Captain, David Evans was there to greet us and gave us a brief history of the club, Fred (my caddy) stated he was born the same year as the club was formed way back in 1922. Plans are in the making for a new clubhouse, which still has to be approved, if completed will give the club new status for special functions. Well supported by its members it has a strong social gathering within the community. The only down side is that it only has nine holes, and the tee boxes are very close together yardage wise, so there is not much variation in distances, but having said that, it played beautifully.

With eight holes into wind, meant the par fours would be long and the two par 5’s would be reachable in two. This is a course that is not tiring and with only one hole that you play over a marker post, makes it all the more pleasant as you can see the whole layout of each hole.

A course not to be missed, and after your round, a well stocked bar and restaurant to make the day complete.

I would also like to say that the members have supported Ty Gobaith over the years, and this year will be presenting them with a cheque for £14,000 as well. Well done St. Melyd for the dedication and loyalty you have shown to the children of the hospice.

Conditions: Overcast and windy

Results: Win against the course

Out: 38
In: 41
Gross: 79
H/Cap: 13
Net: 66
Par: 68
Putts: 16 / 17 = 33
Stableford: 20 /18 = 38

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A privately owned course with a small membership and a 14 bay driving range offers the visitor a challenging 9 hole course with good yardage on some of the holes to test the big hitters, and greens to test your putting ability.

A par 71 off the whites and 69 off the yellows makes it no easy pushover. Nice views over the Mersey and Mostyn docks and the wind farm in the distance.

Buggies are available as the walk to the first tee from the clubhouse can sap your energy levels before you start. A good and well laid out course makes you think, but having played it gives you satisfaction.

Conditions: Overcast and windy

Results: Win against the course

Out: 41
In: 41
Gross: 82
H/Cap: 13
Net: 69
Par 69
Putts 16 / 15 = 31
Stableford: 20 /18 = 38

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A difficult par 3, 12 hole course and 8 holes over 200 yards in length meant that playing to par would be very difficult, especially if one hadn’t played it before. It is an ideal course to hone your short game up on, or if you have a couple of hours to spare for some relaxation, well maintained and good greens.

Conditions:       Overcast and windy

Results: Lost against the course

Out:      37
In:        35
Gross:  72
H/Cap: 13
Net:     59
Par       54
Putts     15 / 16 = 31
Stableford:        15 /18 = 33

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An inter club match as well as the “Penny” challenge meant I would need to be on top form to come away with a winning formula. Playing a four-ball stroke play on full handicap allowance, and giving four shots to the opposing players would be a difficult task to hand.

A nine hole course measuring 5143 yards off the white competition tees and some strong winds and the odd shower would test one skill against the elements. With 6 par 3’s and no par 5’s meant scoring would be close. Out in 36, 3 over par, and two up against the home team at the turn, things were looking good. However, the home team drew level on the 15^th, won the 16^th to go one up. With me getting a birdie on the last drew meant the match was a draw. A fair result on the day.

Conditions: Bright intervals, slightly overcast and gusting winds

Personal Results: Win against the course

Out: 36
In: 38
Gross: 72
H/Cap: 13
Net: 59
Par: 66
Putts: 13 / 14 = 27
Stableford Points: 22 /20 = 42

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