Traveling some 65 miles to get too Ffestiniog meant one had to go through the Snowdonia National Park. Even on a dull overcast day the raw beauty still has its splendour to show with mist combing through the firs like fingers going through your hair, and small little water falls cascading down the mountain sides to reach the tiny lakes below.Arriving at the club house we were greeted by Dave Reid, who is the honourary handicap secretary, part time steward, and odd job man. The club was established in 1893 on a mountain side that has views across to Moel Penamnen to the north, and Craig Wen to the south. Looking down towards the vale of Ffestiniog one can see in the shadows the now redundant Trawsfynydd Nuclear Power station.Making our way to the first tee, the clouds started to lift and the sun peeked through, thinking to myself it seemed that some divine intervention was upon us, after all we were on week 17 and only had two days of rain so far.

Playing off yellow tees which are winter mats boxes, being a National trust area where walkers and sheep can stroll across the course at leisure requires low maintenance, and as all staff are unpaid honourary positions a priority is given to the greens. Although they are fenced, to keep animals off them, they are in excellent condition, and all credit must go to the green keepers.

Looking from the 5^th fairway over the lake to the tee.

1^st green overlooking the vale of Ffestiniog

A par 3 to start into wind, 163 yards looked easy, but don’t be fooled a good 6 iron was half a club short, a chip just through the green left a downhill right to left, lipping out and rolling 5 foot passed caused a double bogey to start. Plenty of undulations and slopes on the greens meant one had to be cautious. The only other 3 putter was on the 8^th, again a par 3 and only 135 yards.

A mountain course means six of the holes you play over marker posts, so club selection is critical knowing where to land your ball. Not a long course, but you need to be accurate, and if the weather is harsh, then a true test of golf can be had.

Conditions:       Strong prevailing winds on 5 holes, and some sunny periods.

Results: Won against the course

Out:      41
In         40
Gross   81
H/cap   13
Nett     68
Par       68
Putts     16 / 16= 32
Stableford Points          18 / 18 = 36

7 Pars  0 Birdies  9 Bogeys  2 D/Bogeys  0 other

No Comments »