Starting out at 5.30 am to drive the 143 miles to Pembroke meant there would not be too much traffic on the roads at that time of the morning. As dawn was breaking one could see the fingers of mist drifting through the valley with the peaks of the mountains rising above them, within 10 minutes the sun was trying to rise above the horizon warming the air clearing the mist at the same time.

Arriving at the clubhouse I was greeted by the secretary Mike who explained the layout of the course.

This 6,200 yard parkland course was open to strong winds coming off the estuary which gave rise to some strong prevailing winds making a number of holes that would be playing longer than the yardage would suggest.

The greens having just been cut an hour beforehand meant they would be fast. The first three holes are played out to the estuary and into a strong wind. The third, a par 3, 122 yards off the yellow elevated tee meant club selection was crucial, as there was a pond left of the green which would force you to play to the right. Normally I would be looking to use a wedge, but with the wind a seven iron got me 8 foot left on the pin. A par today felt like a birdie.

The fifth, a par 4, 370 yards, another hole where a good drive position is essential, as one gets to the end of the fairway you think “where’s the green gone?” but looking to ones left over a tree line and road the green is cut into the side of a slope and guarded by two bunkers, another challenging hole.

A site that one doesn’t often see on golf courses is an old derelict barracks silhouetted against the grey skies, it was built to fortify and strengthen the military presence during the war for the port of Pembroke and near by Newhaven. A ghostly reminder of days gone by.

With seven of the holes playing into a strong westerly wind, making pars would be difficult. The wind did help on holes downwind, making par would be easier.

The course was in excellent condition considering the weather recently, the greens were fast and true, and congratulations must go to the green keeping staff on doing an excellent job

Conditions:       Overcast with light variable winds.

Result:              Win against the course

Out:      43
In:        40
Gross:  83
H/Cap: 13
Net:      70
Par       72
Putts     13 /15 = 28
Stableford Points   19 / 20 = 39

0 Birdie;  10 pars;  6 bogeys;  2 d/bogeys;  0  other

No Comments »